Chapter 18
Unwanted Guest
Fabien was in bed with Craig and folded his arms over his chest. Someone burst into the room. It was a short, chubby Indian man with curly white hair, a snub nose, a round face, and an overbite. He had deep violet eyes with dark circles under his eyes. He wore an “I survived the drop of death at BeachTown” t-shirt and boxer shorts with hearts on them. He was 26-year-old Gus Bhagat.
Gus: “FABIEN! Guess what?! I won $50K in the lottery! We’re rich!”
He jumped up and down. He held out a bag with several dollar bills. Fabien’s eyes lit up.
Gus: “All the stinky shoes and socks I can buy!”
He sang happily.
Fabien: “Fuck that. Let’s blow this place and get a house.”
Craig: “OI! Who the fuck is that?!”
He gaped at Gus, pointing at him. Fabien gaped at Craig. My God, you pay so little attention to my life, he thought. You never realized he was living with us the entire time because you’re so absorbed in your world, he mused.
Fabien: “A friend. Well, Craig? It was nice having you around but your sex is vanilla, so you have to find your own place.”
He slapped his shoulder and smiled at him.
Craig: “WHAT?! VANILLA?!”
He rasped.
Fabien: “Yes, Craig, your sex is vanilla and it’s boring. Maybe find someone else who loves boring sex?”
He shrugged.
Fabien: “Pack your stuff and get out.”
He snapped his fingers.
Craig: “WHAT?! How could you say that? My sex is amazing?!”
He cried.
Fabien: “I disagree. I got more turned on by that man in the bear fursuit tickling my feet than I did when you rode me.”
He said evenly.
Craig: “You WHAT?! You got turned on by that fat fuck than ME?!”
He rasped and fumed.
Fabien: “I don’t think the guy in the fursuit was fat but his fursuit was… but yeah.”
He nodded soberly.
Craig: “You’re supposed to be turned on by ME!”
He gestured to himself.
Fabien: “Yeah, well, I think Deimos pleasures Tristan. You pleasure yourself. Get out.”
He pointed to the door.
Gus: “What about selling his stinky socks?”
Craig looked over at him and glared.
Craig: “What stinky socks?”
I love how this moron is nose blind to his own stink, Fabien thought.
Fabien: “You won the lottery. We don’t need that anymore. I want a man who can pleasure me in bed now.”
He said firmly.
Craig: “What do you mean?! I CAN pleasure you in bed!”
He huffed.
~
Craig was out on the street dragging his feet after Fabien kicked him out. All he had was a backpack and his clothes. He walked through the streets of Papamos with his sunglasses on so no one could see him crying. Victor was out walking Oliver on his leash. He spotted Craig.
Oliver: “Look, Grandpa, it’s that man the other daddy worked with!”
Victor smiled.
Victor: “Yes, he was in a band with Deimos.”
He approached Craig.
Victor: “Hello, nice evening out, isn’t it?”
He chirped.
Craig: “No!”
He pouted and sulked. Victor grimaced.
Victor: “What’s wrong?”
He picked up Oliver and approached him.
Craig: “Everyone keeps dumping me and I have nowhere to go! My ex-girlfriend destroyed my things and kicked me out ‘n then my bandmates left me! Then my boyfriend says my sex is vanilla and kicks me out and now I have nowhere to go! Everyone keeps leaving me and I have no one left!”
He sulked. Victor knit his eyebrows. He looked at him sympathetically.
Victor: “That is so, so sad! I am sorry…”
He began. Craig sighed and bowed his head.
Victor: “I have a spare bedroom at my place. Please stay there. It’s not much but no one should go homeless, especially someone as nice and cool as you.”
He said softly and put his hand on his arm. Craig’s eyes lit up when he touched his arm.
Craig: “Wow really?! You’re the best! I know… I’m so wicked sick!”
He grinned, putting his arm around him. Victor giggled.
Victor: “Are you sick? I can take care of you, too!”
Craig: “...Oh. Yeah, I’m sick too…”
He pretended to cough, shifting his eyes.
Oliver looked up at Victor.
Oliver: “I don’t think Daddy will like this, Grandpa…”
Victor looked down at Oliver.
Victor: “I always taught my son to help people who need you. This man has no one left and if one person can help him, it can make all the difference!”
Craig: “Fuckin’ oath!”
He beamed.
~
Victor, Oliver, and Craig arrived at the Trémaux mansion. Craig’s eyes were wide like saucers at the home before him. It looked like a castle.
Victor led Craig into the mudroom. He slipped off his flip-flops and unsnapped Oliver’s leash as they entered the kitchen. Craig’s eyes widened as he looked at the grand kitchen.
Craig: “Wicked! You live here?!”
Victor nodded.
Victor: “Yes, I live here with my son and my parents!”
He smiled and leaned over.
Craig: “Wait…, you got a son? But you’re so young!”
He gaped at him and dreaded the thought of being around a crying baby. Victor beamed.
Victor: “Thank you! Yes, I have a son! He’s not home yet. He’s out with his friend to a festival!”
He replied. Craig gaped at him, looking confused and shocked.
Craig: “Jesus Christ, you must have been young when you had a son!”
Victor: “I was 23 when I had him.”
He nodded.
Victor: “My parents are in bed! Shall I show you to your room?”
Craig: “Fuck yeah, let’s go to my room!”
He winked at him.
Victor looked out at the backyard. Victor led him outside to a patio with a roof over it. It had a picnic table with chairs and a barbecue. A few feet away from the patio, was a Roman inground pool and wasn’t very big. There was a stone waterfall at the end of it. To the left was a hot tub resembling a hot spring with rocks around the frame, and a tiny waterfall on the corner. Near the window looking in at the living room was a gazebo with lounge chairs.
Victor: “This is our pool!”
Craig: “Ooh, wanna go for a swim?”
He purred and winked at him.
Victor: “Sure, it’s not much of a swimming pool, but okay!”
He began removing his clothes and stripped down to a pair of indigo swimming briefs showing off his slim, lean body. Craig eyed him up and down like a piece of meat, licking his lips. He was pleasantly surprised he stripped first and before him.
Craig: “Nice view…”
He grinned and stripped off his clothes, sans his underwear, revealing his muscular build.
Victor: “Yes, it is!”
He said and stepped into the pool.
Craig: “You know it!”
He grinned and winked at him, flexing his muscles. Victor leaned back in the pool looking at the cityscape and up at the night sky. Craig waved his big arms around.
Craig: “Hey! I’m over here!”
He cleared his throat, snapping his fingers.
Victor: “Hello!”
He waved at him.
Craig: “G’day!”
He grinned.
Craig: “Wanna see somethin’ wicked sick?”
He beamed, rubbing his hands together.
Victor: “Sure!”
He nodded. Craig took several steps back and locked his focus on the pool. He then sprinted towards the pool, diving in with a huge splash and slamming his face against the pool floor.
Craig: “YARGGHHHHHH!”Victor clapped.
Victor: “That is so cool but this pool isn’t deep enough for that!”
He laughed a bit.
Craig: “No fuckin’ kiddin’!”
Victor: “Are you okay?”
Craig: “...I-I’m fine!”
He forced a grin, trying to hold back his tears of pain. Victor looked at the red mark on his face and brushed his hair back to examine it.. Craig grinned at his touch and leaned closer to him.
Victor: “Eeeh, that will hurt.”
He inhaled sharply.
Craig: “Oh… don’t worry about me! I’m a tough bloke made of steel! I can take it!”
He said with strain, forcing a smile with a thumbs up.
Victor saw Oliver pawing at the window. He then saw Tristan follow him and look out. Tristan came out to the patio.
Victor: “Oh, there’s my son! He’s home!”
He pointed to Tristan. Tristan’s smile faded when he saw Craig in the pool and judging by the red mark on his face, he tried to dive in. Craig froze when he saw Tristan.
Craig: “YOU! The fuck are you doin’ here?”
He glared at him.
Craig: “Where’s your son?”
He asked Victor.
Victor: “That’s him! His name is Tristan! Say hi, Tristan!”
He smiled. Tristan ignored him and focused on Craig.
Tristan: “I live here. What are YOU doing here?!”
He asked sharply. Craig’s lantern jaw hung wide open.
Craig: “Whaaaaaaaat?! HIM?! He’s your SON?!”
He gasped, pointing at Tristan.
Victor: “Yes, he’s my son!”
He smiled. Craig then cracked up laughing.
Craig: “Oh, good one, you almost had me. Well played.”
He clapped his hands. Victor climbed out of the pool and went to his pants. He got out his wallet to show Craig a picture of him in 1964 holding a baby Tristan. Craig froze at the photo.
Victor: “Yes, Tristan is my son.”
Craig: “...No, no, that’s IMPOSSIBLE! That photo is old as fuck and he’s my age! How the fuck do you look the same age now?!”
He rubbed his temples as his brain couldn’t comprehend it.
Victor: “Oh, we entered a camp and they gave us a serum so I can heal my own wounds. That’s probably why.”
He smiled.
Craig: “...You went camping and what?!”
He gaped.
Tristan: “That IS my father, Craig. Don’t be an idiot.”
He hissed.
Tristan: “What is this troglodyte doing here, Papa?”
He asked him. Craig glared at him and put his arm around Victor. Victor froze when he did that and appeared uncomfortable.
Craig: “Your daddy and me have somethin’ special! Run along, kid!”
He smirked at him. Tristan glared at Craig.
Tristan: “Get your arm off him, Craig. He’s clearly uncomfortable. There IS nothing special! Why aren’t you with Fabien?!”
He barked.
Craig: “Ah, sounds like someone’s cranky and it’s someone’s bedtime!”
He said condescendingly, laughing at him. He then froze when he mentioned Fabien. Victor wrenched himself away from Craig’s grip.
Craig: “...We broke up.”
He said quickly.
Tristan: “Oh? Why?”
He asked.
Craig: “Cos… you were right, he was an asshole!”
He exclaimed. Tristan surveyed him. He was using him as a cashcow and got rid of him? Did my comment to him upset him that much? He wondered.
Craig: “But now I found a nice man!”
He smiled at Victor.
Victor: “Thank you!”
He smiled. Tristan’s ire soared.
Tristan: “Craig, are you KIDDING ME?! My father took you here out of sympathy! He doesn’t want a romantic relationship with YOU or ANYONE!”
He roared.
Victor: “Tristan, don’t yell please.”
He asked meekly.
Craig: “Yeah, don’t yell! Inside voice, kid!”
He echoed. Tristan shot Craig an icy glare.
Victor: “But… he’s right… I don’t want to be with anyone romantically.”
He embraced himself thinking of what put him in the coma. Craig gaped at him.
Craig: “...What?! But why? You’re so sexy!”
Victor: “Thank you but I don’t want to.”
He said tersely.
Tristan: “You heard him. Get your stinky boots and clothes out of here and find another place.”
He said firmly.
Victor: “Tristan, I taught you to help the needy and he needs a place to stay!”
He pleaded. Craig nodded and smiled at Victor.
Craig: “That’s right! Listen to your daddy!”
Tristan rolled his eyes. Ironic that a 25-year-old toddler is talking to me as if I’m a child, he thought.
Tristan: “Papa, he’s going to take advantage of you! Fabien kicked him out because whatever he was using him for he doesn’t need anymore! There are homeless shelters and motels!”
Craig: “WHAT?! Homeless shelter?! I’m not a fucking bum!”
He huffed.
Tristan: “I beg to differ. You’re taking advantage of my father who has recently awoken from a coma because your boy toy had enough of you likely not pleasuring him!”
He waved his hand dismissively.
Craig: “Your daddy is a big boy, he can take care of himself!”
He scoffed. Victor bowed his head.
Craig: “WHAT?! I pleasured him good! He didn’t appreciate me!”
He pouted. Tristan rolled his eyes.
Tristan: “I know Fabien and know he gets around with other men. He doesn’t keep his kinks discreet either, so if you don’t know those by now, you are an idiot, but I knew this.”
He shrugged.
Craig: “...Other men?!”
He froze at the thought of him with other men.
Craig: “Fuck you, I know what his kinks are! I’m not an idiot!”
Tristan: “Enlighten me. What are they?”
He cupped his chin.
Craig: “He likes big muscle hunks!”
He grinned smugly, flexing his muscles.
Tristan: “Yes, he certainly is attracted to that type but those are not his only kinks.”
He wagged his head.
Tristan: “Nevertheless, you have to leave.”
Victor: “Tristan, he needs our help! Just allow him to stay until he gets back on his feet.”
He said beseechingly. Craig fumbled in a feeble attempt to pull a “puppy dog” look.
Tristan: “Craig will never get back on his feet. If that were the case, he would live with us and drain us dry. No, he’s leaving. He’s not our problem.”
He said firmly.
Tristan: “And he’s wanting a relationship with you because Fabien grew tired of him.”
Victor: “I don’t want a relationship with him. I want to help.”
Tristan: “Craig will not see it that way. No, Papa, he has to get out now.”
He said firmly as his voice rose.
Craig: “I ain’t goin’ anywhere! …Right, Victor?”
He turned to him beseechingly.
Victor: “I want to help but I don’t want to be in a relationship with you!”
He replied.
Craig: “Oh… sure, we can just have a one-night stand then. No biggie.”
He replied. Tristan’s fury rose.
Tristan: “Do you not speak English?! He said NO and NO MEANS NO!”
He screamed at him.
Craig: “Yes, I do! Duh!”
Victor: “I don’t like this yelling but he’s right, Craig! I don’t want any of that with you! I just want to help!”
He cried.
Craig: “All right…I’ll be good! I promise!”
He sighed and relented.
Victor: “Thank you, Craig. I will show you to your room.”
Tristan turned to his father, his face flickered with rage. Craig grinned widely.
Tristan: “Papa, did you not listen to what he said?! He’s going to drain us! How will he pay for room and board when he has no job?! He’s going to destroy this house and everything! He’s an ANIMAL!”
He barked. Victor drew back. Craig turned to him and glared.
Craig: “Animal?! I’m not a fuckin’ animal!”
He barked back at him.
Victor: “Tristan, I taught you to help those in need and he needs our help! I can have your friend take him job hunting if you like.”
He nodded.
Tristan: “Papa! Deimos is not going to take this idiot ANYWHERE! Craig should be doing this himself! He may act it but he’s not a child!”
He screamed. Victor drew back as his son raised his voice at him.
Craig: “Oi, back off, mate! Don’t yell at your daddy!”
He stood in front of Victor. Tristan slashed his hand through the air creating an ice blast to send Craig crashing into the pool.
Craig: “YAARGHHH!”
He rasped with a mighty splash, knocking his head again and passing out. Victor embraced himself and trembled.
Tristan: “Shut up!”
He snapped.
Tristan: “Papa, this is NOT someone who needs our help! He is a predator taking advantage of you! Others can help him! We’re not the ones!”
He bellowed. Tears formed in Victor’s eyes.
Victor: “I don’t deserve this from you, Tristan! You sound like her… YOU SOUND LIKE YOUR MOTHER!”
He snapped back. Tristan drew back, his jaw dropped, and the color drained from his face.
Tristan: “...How dare you. How dare you say that to me!”
He snapped.
Tristan: “DO NOT SPEAK TO ME AND LEAVE ME!”
He bellowed, swung open the door, and picked up Oliver to go to his room.
Victor: “I’m sorry, Tristan! Don’t be angry with me!”
He cried. He heard the door slam.
~
When Craig regained consciousness, he was frozen to the touch and Victor wrapped a flannel blanket around him. Victor ascended the circular stairway, went down the open rail hall, and to his guest suite, which had a double bed, its own bathroom, a TV, a dresser, and the Gothic arch window that gave a view of the front yard. Craig entered and admired the guest suite.
Victor: “This is your room.”
He forced a smile.
Craig: “Wicked sick!”
He grinned at him.
Victor: “Make yourself at home… and please do not antagonize my son… You could have died from hypothermia!”
He nodded.
Craig: “All right, all right, I’ll be good!”
He waved his hand.
Craig: “It’ll take more than that to kill me! I’m tough as steal!”
He said smugly. Victor tried to smile.
Victor: “That’s good. Have a good night, Craig.”
He nodded and closed the door behind him.
He looked at Tristan’s bedroom door, which was locked. He looked away and wiped his eyes.
~
Tristan was in his light blue silk pajamas after he had gotten showered. He wanted to talk to someone about this but it’s late and he didn’t want to bother Deimos with this or Ivy or anyone. He held Oliver close and thought of the day his mother burned the house down. Tristan shook his head when he recalled it. Not helpful, he thought.
He pulled the sheets off the bed and climbed in. He turned on the radio and heaved a deep sigh.
Bobby: “METAAAAHL! Welcome to ‘Headbanger’s Hellfire’ the most EXTREME METAL radio show on PinkFM! HORN’S UP! I’M BOBBY KILLER O’SULLIVAN, MOTHERFUCKERS!”
Larry: “And I am Larry Wood. That’s right, Bobby, it’s the ONLY metal radio show on PinkFM and all of radio. Tonight, we have a brutal lineup for you with Norseferatu’s Storm in the Abyss of Hellfire record. Norse recorded the whole album on a tape recorder back in 1983 and he collected paper clips—”
Tristan turned over and turned off the radio to drift to sleep.
~
Tristan was in his office that morning. He wore a dark violet three-piece suit, white pressed shirt, black tie, and black wingtip Oxfords. He didn’t have breakfast with the family and didn’t want to look at his father. The breakfast burrito he had a Dunk my Donuts was terrible. If only Ivy would make me one of her delicious breakfasts, he thought. He looked at the unfinished burrito and saw Oliver was barely eating it.
Someone knocked on the door.
Tristan: “Yes?”
Erin opened the door.
Erin: “Tristan? Mr. Ødegaard and Miss Ferraro are here to see you!”
She chirped.
Tristan: “Send them in.”
He smiled faintly.
Andreas and Ivy entered his office and closed the door behind them. Tristan forced a smile and rose to greet them.
Ivy: “Hi, Tristan, good to see you!”
She greeted him with a smile and a hug. Tristan hugged her back.
Tristan: “Good to see you, too, Ivy. Have a seat.”
He gesticulated to the two chairs across from his desk. Ivy and Andreas sat across from him.
Andreas: “Thanks for helping me out with this, Tristan.”
He stated.
Tristan stared off into space and snapped out of it. He forced himself to focus on them.
Tristan: “My pleasure, Andreas. Do you have a list of what was stolen or destroyed and its approximate value? And the tapes from your footage?”
He said robotically as his voice trailed off. Andreas could sense there was something off about him today. Ivy noted that she was unable to access his mind to read his thoughts.
Andreas: “All of the rare, limited edition press black metal vinyl were stolen, along with items from my altar. A raven skull, in particular. There was also what appeared to be a fire in my bathroom.”
He stated, handing him the tapes. Tristan was half-listening and took the tapes. He skimmed over the list and put his hand on his forehead.
Tristan: “Um-hmm…”
He muttered.
Andreas: “Is something wrong?”
He pressed.
Tristan: “Oh, no, I’m fine!”
He forced a smile and rose to take the burrito from Oliver. He wrapped it up and tossed it in the bin. Ivy thought it was odd that Tristan had that and gave it to Oliver.
Tristan: “So, all of this stuff was stolen and there was arson in your bathroom…”
He muttered and looked over the list again. Arson, he thought and clenched onto the list.
Andreas: “Yes, they took my candles and lit them up and threw them into the bathroom. One of them… left me a ‘pleasant’ surprise in the toilet, too.”
He rolled his eyes and shook his head.
Tristan: “What did they leave you?”
He asked. Oliver crawled on Tristan’s chest and put his arms around his neck. Tristan patted his back.
Andreas: “The largest shit I’ve ever seen…”
He groused.
Tristan: “Oh…”
He said in a low voice.
Ivy: “...Are you okay, Tristan?”
She asked.
Tristan: “Of course, Ivy. I just had a rough night but I was able to sleep.”
He faked laughing.
Ivy: “...You know you can talk to me, Tristan.”
She said softly.
Tristan: “I know, Ivy. I don’t want to burden you with anything and it isn’t anything I can’t handle.”
He reassured her and looked away with worry in his eyes. Ivy wasn’t satisfied with that answer.
Ivy: “It’s not a burden!”
She declared. He wants to help others, but doesn’t want them to help him? Andreas thought.
Tristan: “It’s just an issue at home and I can handle this. I want to help Andreas.”
He smiled.
Ivy: “Issue at home? Oh no, what did Honorine do now?”
She sighed. Tristan waved his hands.
Tristan: “Nothing, actually!”
He declared.
Ivy: “...Did something happen to your father?”
She pressed. Tristan froze. He removed his glasses to rub his eyes.
Tristan: “Ivy, I do appreciate you wanting to help, but I don’t want to burden you or anyone with my issues.”
He sighed. Ivy knit her eyebrows.
Ivy: “It’s not a burden! I care about you Tristan! Is your father okay? What happened?!”
She cried. Tristan inhaled sharply and put his glasses back on. He hated upsetting her and maybe she was right that he should open up about this.
Tristan: “He and I argued.”
He confessed. So this is why Tristan got that breakfast burrito, she thought.
Ivy: “...You argued?”
She found this hard to believe with how close they seemed.
Ivy: “What happened, Tristan?”
Tristan: “He brought Craig home last night. He wants Craig to stay in the guest bedroom. Craig was hitting on him and putting his arms around him pushing for a relationship or one-night stand despite my father telling him he wasn’t interested. My father wants to help Craig but I know some people cannot be helped. We argued and he said I was like my mother, so I don’t want to look at him.”
He said as his fury started to rise. Ivy’s face flared with rage.
Ivy: “...Craig?! What is he doing with that oaf?!”
She groused. Andreas’ expression soured.
Andreas: “...He let Craig into your home?!”
He frowned. Tristan nodded soberly
Andreas: “You need to get him out… otherwise your home could end up like my shop.”
He warned him.
Tristan: “I know this. My father doesn’t. I went into the guest wing of the Flores hacienda where they stayed and it was a pigsty. My father says he will allow Craig to stay until he gets back on his feet. Well, that is not coming anytime soon.”
He huffed and threw his arms up.
Andreas: “Well, then your father needs to see the real Craig… and Craig needs a shiny new ball to play with instead.”
He pondered.
Tristan: “Oh, Fabien kicked him out. He was using Craig as a personal piggybank to sell his stinky socks on ‘BuyStinkySocks.com’ but he kicked him out. My guess would be Fabien doesn’t need his money and wasn’t impressed with his sex.”
He shrugged. Andreas rolled his eyes.
Andreas: “Ah, so that’s how he was getting money out of him. Well, a fool and his money soon part.”
He stated.
Tristan: “Tell me about it. Fabien will come back but I don’t know when. I want Craig out now. Our home is not a homeless shelter.”
He leaned back in his seat.
Andreas: “Well, to get rid of your pest problem, Fabien will need to need Craig and Craig will need to need Fabien…”
He stated. Tristan nodded and started to ponder about something else.
Tristan: “In the meantime, I will have a letter delivered to Larry Wood’s address.”
He nodded.
~
Deimos was getting Leo settled into his new home. He went and bought him kitten food, a new litterbox, and some kitten milk, and just arrived home from his first vet visit. Deimos let him out of his carrier and sat on the couch with him in his arms. Deimos looked at the picture of him and Tristan on the table by the couch and smiled. He held Leo up and smiled.
Deimos: “I should get him some roses.”
He said softly. He heard someone come in and Deimos brightened hoping it was Tristan.
Deimos: “Tristan?!”
He shot up from the couch and saw Lazaros enter the living room. Deimos’ expression darkened.
Deimos: “Oh, it’s you.”
He sat down. Lazaros sighed. He hated when Deimos did this. He went and sat down by his brother.
Lazaros: “Got a new kitten from Ashley.”
Deimos nodded.
Deimos: “Also, Jaclyn is hiding her morbidly obese mother from you. This is why she won’t let you in her house.”
He said quickly. Lazaros froze and stared at him.
Lazaros: “When did you find this out?! Did Jaclyn tell you?!”
Deimos: “Oh, when you were off screwing Makayla at the Nuklear Shithouse, Tristan, Celeste, and I saw a pizza delivery guy go to Jaclyn’s house. Jaclyn hates pizza. We thought he got the wrong address. No, he didn’t. I paid for the order and the door was open. We heard the TV in a room in the back and there she was. An obese blonde woman named Vera. She’s her mother.”
He explained. Lazaros froze and felt his eye twitch.
Lazaros: “Why didn’t you tell me this sooner, Deimos? Why does TRISTAN know?”
He asked through a forced smile and clenched teeth.
Deimos: “Well, I was being screwed over by Craig’s fake band and you were screwing his sister, so I never thought of it much.”
He huffed.
Lazaros: “No, but Tristan knows.”
Deimos rolled his eyes.
Lazaros: “Even if he didn’t come, you’d STILL tell him!”
He cried.
Deimos: “And? What does it matter now? You’re done with Jaclyn.”
He muttered.
Lazaros: “This lady needs help, Deimos! She’s being abused by her daughter!”
He cried.
Deimos: “I know this but what can we do about it? Jaclyn will throw us out and call the police.”
He said flatly.
Lazaros: “If it was Tristan, you’d find a way!”
He snapped.
Deimos: “Why does that even bother you? You went through a revolving door of people. I only have one person.”
He sneered at him.
Lazaros: “I do a lot for you, Deimos. I wish you looked out for me as I do for you!”
He folded his arms over his chest.
Deimos: “Until Dad comes, then you don’t.”
He hissed.
Lazaros: “Dad sacrificed a lot for us. He funded my business and this house for you while MOM is still weeping over our dear sister who died SEVENTEEN YEARS AGO!”
He screamed and spun on his heel so fast he almost fell over.
Deimos: “Yes, but he doesn’t do anything about it and enables it.”
He shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
Lazaros locked his gaze on him and planted his hands on his hips.
Lazaros: “Why don’t you ever talk about this?!”
He challenged.
Deimos: “If you slept next to the ghost nursery, you wouldn’t either. What is there to talk about? Our parents can’t let go of the past and what they do is out of our control. It’s not my problem if our parents can’t get over a dead kid.”
He muttered.
Lazaros: “That dead kid is our sister that we barely knew. Lots of people have this happen to them and they get over it.”
Deimos: “Not our parents.”
He mumbled.
Deimos picked up the newspaper and saw an ad for Voyage Burger. It had a Viking ship sailing from Australia to the US. The ad stated the franchise was going to open in Pink Top City and they’re looking for positions.
Deimos: “Voyage Burger is coming to Pink Top City!”
Lazaros rolled his eyes.
Lazaros: “I cook good food for you, Deimos. You don’t need that!”
He snapped.
Deimos: “Right, if I don’t have Dad barking orders at me, you do.”
He huffed.
Deimos: “Also, what was that stunt you pulled on Ashley? I knew what you were trying to do!”
He glared at Lazaros.
Lazaros: “Don’t change the subject, Deimos. I make nutritious food for you! You don’t need this!”
He flared.
Deimos: “Makayla still pines for this person and you flirt with them to get even.”
Lazaros: “Oh, I see. Tristan told you this, didn’t he?”
Deimos: “No.”
Lazaros hung his head.
Someone entered the house and Deimos lit up when he saw Tristan. Lazaros glared at him.
Deimos: “Tristan!”
He rushed to him and hugged him.
Lazaros: “Why didn’t you tell me about Vera, Tristan?”
He challenged.
Tristan: “I don’t need this from you, Lazaros. Not today. I felt Deimos should have told you.”
He replied and hugged Deimos close. He petted Leo’s head. Lazaros folded his arms in front of his chest.
Lazaros: “Will you tell him to NOT eat Voyage Burger and that I cook good homemade meals?!”
He flattened his hand against his chest. Tristan tilted his head in confusion.
Tristan: “Voyage Burger? What is that?”
Deimos broke the hug and presented the newspaper ad to Tristan. He took it from him and read it.
Tristan: “I don’t believe this place is open, Lazaros. They’re looking for people to hire.”
He pointed to the ad.
Lazaros: “Want to work there?”
He quipped. Deimos shot him a glare and hugged Tristan while wagging his forefinger at Lazaros. Lazaros looked hurt. Tristan laughed a bit.
Tristan: “No, but I think the thing my father dragged in could.”
Deimos: “Huh?”
~
After Lazaros left, Tristan explained to Deimos what happened between him and his father and Craig. Deimos paused taking everything in. Tristan hugged Leo close and kissed his head. Deimos silently rose from the couch. He went into the laundry room with a pair of socks, put those on, put his boots on, and his leather jacket.
Tristan: “Where are you going?”
He asked. Deimos said nothing and left the house. Tristan looked down at Leo and stroked his head.
~
Tristan caught up to Deimos who was marching to his house.
Tristan: “Are you doing what I think you’re doing?”
Deimos: “What am I doing?”
Tristan smirked and chuckled.
Tristan: “Oh, let’s see… Knock sense into Craig and demand he get a job at Voyage Burger?”
Deimos: “Bingo.”
Tristan chuckled and smiled.
As the two men approached Tristan’s mansion, they noticed a 1980 neon green Jeep CJ-7 with the “Nuklear Intoxikation” logo on the doors. Piper was out hanging wash on the line. Tristan’s jaw dropped.
Tristan: “Don’t tell me Papa bought him that…!”
He cupped his mouth.
Piper: “Hello, Tristan… and Deimos… One of Randall Wood’s workers dropped that off here for Craig.”
She said as she hung Tristan’s underwear on the line. Deimos reddened and put his hands over his groin.
Tristan: “I guess he didn’t get the memo Craig was caught cheating on Veronika.”
He muttered.
Craig stepped out of the house with a towel around his neck and just wearing his underwear. He saw the Jeep and his heart skipped a beat.
Craig: “HOLY SHIT!”
He gasped and rushed to it, throwing his big arms around the cold metal.
Craig: “Victor! You’re the best!”
He beamed and looked around for him. Tristan and Deimos looked unimpressed.
Victor came out and saw the jeep.
Victor: “Goodness gracious, Deimos, what a hideous car you have.”
He groused. Tristan glared at Victor which sent chills down his spine. He embraced himself and turned around. Craig looked confused.
Craig: “What?! It’s not hideous! It’s wicked sick!”
Deimos: “It’s not mine. It’s Craig’s and Randall Woods got it for him. I guess he didn’t get the memo Craig was cheating on Veronika.”
He said evenly.
Craig: “Oh fuck yeah, sweet! Free car!”
He grinned. Tristan looked away from his father and didn’t face him. Victor bowed his head.
Deimos cleared his throat and held the newspaper to Craig, placing his finger on the Voyage Burger ad.
Craig: “Oh, great idea, Deimos!”
He beamed and turned to Victor, opening his car door.
Craig: “We’re goin’ on a date!”
He winked at him. Victor looked away.
Victor: “I’m not feeling well.”
He sniffed.
Deimos: “HARRUMPH!”
He pointed to the “Now Hiring” part of the ad.
Deimos: “It’s not for a date, Craig!”
He hissed.
Tristan: “They’re looking for workers, Craig. If you’re going to stay under my roof and live here, you have to pay for your room and board. You need a job.”
He said firmly.
Craig: “WHAT?! You expect ME to work at that lame, nerdy place?!”
He threw his head back and laughed.
Tristan: “Yes, I do, Craig. You have to work SOMEWHERE because you’re not staying here for free.”
He reiterated firmly.
Craig: “You can’t make me do nothin’, right, Victor?!”
He swung his gaze over to him. Victor looked at him with tears in his eyes.
Victor: “I don’t want my son angry with me, Craig! You have to do that!”
He cried. Tristan bowed his head and looked away. It’s not just Craig; it’s the fact you compared to me to… that, he thought with hurt in his eyes.
Deimos: “Okay, so it’s either applying for a job at Voyage Burger or you can live in your Jeep or go to a homeless shelter. What will it be, sailor?”
He asked dryly. Craig glared at him and Tristan.
Craig: “Fine… but I ain’t workin’ some humiliating bullshit!”
He huffed.
~
Craig wore his Nuklear Intoxikation shirt, denim vest, torn jeans, and work boots as he drove to downtown Pink Top City to the location of Voyage Burger. He saw the familiar giant Viking ship-shaped diner. There were giant burgers on both ends of the ship and there was a large green and red striped flag hanging at the mast. There was a moat surrounding the premises with a bridge to the entrance. The sign by the entrance had “NOW HIRING” below the logo.
Craig parked his jeep and entered the restaurant. The interior was made of wood with a red, gold, and emerald color theme, matching the uniforms. Giant shields hung up on the walls, along with fake plastic axes with Celtic patterns. The circular windows looked onto Pink Top Beach.
~
Craig sat in a booth across from a middle-aged white portly man. He was balding, wore glasses, and wore a short-sleeved orange pressed shirt, black tie, black pants, and black shoes.
Man: “So, Mr. Medeiros, what position are you applying for with us?”
He asked.
Craig: “The one that pays the most, I guess?”
He shrugged and looked like he would rather be anywhere else. The man looked at him and folded his arms.
Man: “Can you read and do simple math?”
He asked him.
Craig: “...Not really?”
He shifted his eyes. The man nodded. Didn’t think so, he thought.
Man: “Okay, I have a job just for you. You have the perfect build and mindset for it.”
He smiled tightly. Craig grinned tightly.
Craig: “Yeah, I got the perfect build!”
He grinned, flexing his muscles.
~
It was the grand opening of Voyage Burger and cars were coming in through the drive-through and into the parking lot. Craig stood out the front, seething. He was bare-chested, dressed in a loin cloth and arm cuffs with a large burger over his head. It had crazed googly eyes with Viking horns perched on top of it. He was holding up a sign that read, “A feast to ravage, eat like a savage! Now slashing 25% off with our axes!”
Craig: “ARGH! I’m so fuckin’ pissed off right now!”
He rasped to himself, kicking his feet. He heard a familiar voice saying his name and turned to see Andreas.
Andreas: “...Craig?”
Craig: “ANDREAS?!”
Ah fuck, he thought to himself.
Andreas: “You finally found your calling in life. This is the perfect job for you.”
He deadpanned.
Craig: “...Oh yeah? ‘Cause I get to flex my goods?”
He chuckled, flexing his muscles.
Andreas: “No, because you get paid to be yourself.”
He deadpanned.
Craig: “OI! What’s that supposed to mean?!”
He rasped, waving his plastic axe at him. Andreas rolled his eyes.
Andreas: “You don’t have to act to be like the Burger Berserker. You already are simplistic and aggressive.”
He stated. Craig seethed.
Craig: “WHAT?! NO, I’M NOT!”
He rasped, waving his axe again. People gathered, taking photos and thinking it was an act.
Fabien rolled up in his Shelby with Gus on the passenger’s side. Fabien had sunglasses over his eyes and wore a Bart Simpson shirt, jean cut-off shorts, and flip-flops. Gus wore a Judas Priest shirt, denim jacket, torn jeans, and white sneakers.
Fabien: “Hello, Craig… Andreas.”
He smirked at them.
Craig: “...F-Fabien?!”
He reddened with embarrassment and rage.
Craig: “I was just talkin’ to Andreas!”
He said, giving him the side-eye. Andreas rolled his eyes, knowing what he was trying to do.
Andreas: “No, we weren’t. I was just leaving.”
He said flatly.
Fabien: “I was going to ask if he loved boring, vanilla sex, but I guess he has his limits.”
He said wryly.
Andreas: “That’s the least of his faults.”
He said coldly. Craig bowed his head.
Craig: “WHAT?! My sex is amazing!”
Fabien: “I beg to differ. You could wear that silly suit in bed and it wouldn’t make your sex any spicier.”
He rolled his eyes.
Gus: “Yeah, no offense but Fabien brings home guys and he’s loud when he cums but with you, I didn’t hear him yowl once!”
He nodded.
Andreas: “I’ve lost my appetite now.”
He groused.
Craig: “WHAT?! He brings home OTHER guys?!”
Andreas: “Wow. The male stripper sleeps with different guys other than you. Who would have thought? What did you expect, Craig?”
He said bitterly.
Fabien: “He expected I would love his vanilla sex and worship him. Craig, the legend in his own mind.”
He said dryly.
Craig: “Grrr. Why are you all ganging up on me?!”
He huffed, stamping his feet.
Fabien: “Dopamine. This turns me on more than your sex ever did.”
He said bitterly.
Andreas: “Craig is a dope.”
He added.
Fabien: “Yeah, he is, living with him proved that. It’s cute how Tristan keeps reminding me he’s an idiot as if I am unaware.”
He growled and tightened the steering wheel. Andreas observed his anger.
Craig: “OI! I’m not an idiot!”
He pouted, waving his plastic axe in the air.
Fabien: “Sure, and your sex is amazing. Would love to continue this but I might also be as bad in bed as you are. Ta-ta, Craigy-kins.”
He blew a kiss and drove through the drive-through.
Andreas: “Bye, Craig.”
He turned on his heel and left. Craig stood there alone, seething and kicking up the dirt around him.
Craig: “RAAAARGHHHHHHHH!”
He rasped, swinging his axe and throwing it across the parking lot.
~
When Craig’s shift was over, Victor stood before him smiling.
Victor: “Hello, I took a bus to see you at work and took the wrong one, so here I am!”
He spread his arms out and slapped his sides. Craig’s expression softened when he saw him and he took his spread-out arms as a signal to hug him.
Craig: “You’re the best, Victor!”
Victor: “Thanks, Craig! How was your day at work? Want to take me out to dinner at Fred’s 50s Diner?”
He forced a smile.
Craig: “Fuck yeah! I’d love to take you out to dinner!”
He beamed.
Victor: “Thanks! I love their burgers and root beer floats.”
He said as he walked to his Jeep. Mostly, I don’t want to face Tristan while he’s angry with me, thought.
Craig: “Fuck yeah, wicked sick!”
Comentarii