Secrets Maple Keeps by Emersyn Park

Author:Emersyn Park [Park, Emersyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2023-04-29T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

then

Deciding to talk to Mitchell and Becca about the fact that Clive was selling drugs out of their family home was obviously not going to be a quick or easy conversation. Even if we were close friends, no one wants to be the bearer of that kind of news. Any respectable parent dreads even the Elementary teacher's email informing them that little Johnny punched a kid on the playground or that little Johnny pulled the chair out from a girl as she sat down next to him. As parents, we are tasked with the important job of teaching them manners and tools for everyday living. For most parents, it isn't an easy task.

We didn't blame Mitchell and Becca. They were involved parents. Clive wasn't raised to break laws and create addictions, just like William and I didn't choose to have a son addicted to mood-altering chemicals. Our goal was simply to talk to our good family friends and make them aware of the illegal activity happening under their very own roof. In the best case scenario, we could devise a strategy to free both of our children from this illegal and painful choice. Additionally, because we also wanted it to stop, in our ignorant minds, we thought that if Clive wasn't supplying Hudson with drugs to curb his hunger, the hunger would go away. Simply be erased. Obviously, we knew nothing about the power of drugs and the power of addiction. We were very naive.

We decided it would be better to pop over unannounced so it wouldn't appear like we were planning an intervention or finger-pointing. We wanted to appear like we were searching for help, not blaming anyone. The conversation would be between four friends as we sat down to solve a mutual problem – a problem that they weren't aware of yet. We had no idea how ignorant our plan was.

When we walked down our driveway to the street, I yearned to steady myself and hoped William and I would portray a team. We were in this together. As I reached out to hold William’s hand, he jammed his hands into the pockets of his pants.

Our footsteps echoed down the quiet street as the street lights casted shadows on the pavement. It was the weekend, and the hum of neighborhood activity had dulled when the sun set. We knew the Blacks were home because their lights were lit throughout the house and several cars were parked in the driveway.

As the doorbell chimed its familiar song down the long entryway hall, I heard a set of heavy footsteps making their way to the front door, where William and I stood nervously. I quickly glanced at William hoping to receive an encouraging thumbs up or a small supportive smile, but instead, I was greeted with a scowl of annoyance. His message was clear.

Great. This is not going to go well.

When the heavy, oversize wooden front door creaked open, Mitchell, who was sporting a wide, cheesy grin, greeted us. He was dressed in his favorite palm tree swimming trunks, bare chest and bright turquoise flip-flops.

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