The Secret Journal by Andrew Schafer

Author:Andrew Schafer [Schafer, Otto]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Indie Author Project

23

Wrong Number

Present day

Petersburg, Illinois

As soon as they entered Garrett’s house, the boys were enveloped with the aromas of sweet Italian sausage, oregano, and garlic bread. After their taekwondo class, the boys were starved.

“What’s for dinner tonight? It smells awesome,” Lenny said.

“Spaghetti, I think.”

Lenny nodded excitedly.

His mother’s voice came from the kitchen. “Boys, you home? It’s time to eat.”

“Yeah,” Garrett called back to the kitchen as he kicked off his shoes.

“Did you boys wash your hands?” Elaine asked.

Both boys raced to the bathroom.

“Settle down!” Phillip yelled after them from his throne.

They quickly washed their hands and returned to find Elaine placing a giant serving bowl filled with goulash on the table.

“Lenny. Don’t you have a home?” Phillip asked, provoking an instant glare from Elaine.

“Yes, sir, I do,” Lenny said, laughing.

“Then why in the hell are you in mine? Why don’t you go to your own home?” Then, turning his attention to Garrett, he said, “Jesus Christ, I’m not trying to feed the whole godforsaken neighborhood.”

“Alright, mister, that’s about enough of that,” Elaine said, pointing her finger at Phillip before turning to Lenny. “Now, Lenny, you know you are welcome here anytime. Don’t pay any attention to Phillip.” She threw Phillip a stabbing glare.

“Thank you, Mrs. Turek,” Lenny said.

Reaching for the garlic bread, Elaine said, “Boys, tell me about your day.”

Lenny perked up. “Garrett and I get to test for our second-degree black belts on Wednesday! We just found out at class today.”

“Oh, good, I will plan to come watch!” Elaine said.

“I absolutely hate goulash,” James said. “Everything is mixed together, and mushrooms? Ugh.”

Phillip glared at James. “You know what, James? You are going to eat that goulash or so help you Go—”

The phone rang.

“Well, that’s just it, Mom, you can’t. It’s a closed test, so no spectators – not even students or family can be there,” Garrett said.

Phillip drew in a breath, reached over, and picked up the phone. “Tureks… Yes. Yes, I understand. How long? I see.” Phillip looked directly at Garrett. “He has to be. Thank you.” He hung up the phone and looked at Elaine.

Garrett watched as his mother’s eyes searched Phillip’s. “Who was that?”

Phillip broke eye contact with Elaine and turned to Garrett. “Wrong number.”

“Wrong number?” Elaine blinked, the blood draining from her face to leave behind a wide-eyed ghost. “Did you hear Garrett? He said the test is closed. No spectators. No family.” Her voice cracked.

“Lenny, why don’t you stay here tonight?” Phillip asked.

Lenny blinked. “On a school night?”

“Yes. Just this one time,” Phillip said.

James dropped his fork into his bowl and froze.

It was like their whole world stopped. Everyone gaped at Phillip in shocked silence. Never had Phillip personally invited Lenny to spend the night, and never had he allowed it on a school night.

“I… I don’t know, sir. It’s a school night, and I have chores,” Lenny managed.

“It will be fine, Lenny, and you can both take the night off training,” Phillip said.

Garrett’s mind literally blew. Did he just say training in front of Lenny?

Lenny blinked.

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