Slash (Novella I) by Kevin Anthony

Author:Kevin Anthony [Anthony, Kevin]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12 – Fame

Harriet recently lost her right ear, developed athlete’s feet and spent hours coughing up blood. Ford found himself on her computer often, researching her symptoms. It was nearly impossible to pinpoint her illness. Ford had spent the weekend over at her house and let his cousin Maxim stay at his place. He had yet to discover why his cousin had arrived in Draper, but for now had to focus on his mother.

Ford knocked on her door, peeking into her darkened bedroom. “Hey, other-mom?”

“Ford, my head aches. You can‘t imagine the pain.”

It only made him feel helpless when she would complain. “It’ll get better.”

“I’m so exhausted,” She sobbed.

He could barely see inside her room. “Try to sleep.”

“Are you leaving?”

“I’ll be back tonight. I have to go check on Maxim. He showed up two days ago.”

“Maxim, my brother’s son? Is everything okay?”

Ford nodded. “I’m not sure, but don’t worry. I can deal with him.”

“Well I’m going to try to sleep, okay?”

“Yeah, but do you need anything before I leave?”

She stalled to answer. “No, I just want to be me again.”

He debated his follow up, but couldn’t resist. “A man?”

Harriet’s soft chuckling turned into coughs. “You’re mean.”

“You put that one there for me, I couldn’t let it slide. I’ll be back later.”

He cautiously closed her room door. Ford slipped on his sneakers and headed out to his car. On the drive home, he kept an eye out for Valarie. A few homeless people hung out near a bus stop, his mother not a part of the crowd.

He arrived home, stood in the center of the apartment, and relaxed his muscles as he sighed. “I missed this place.”

“Cuz, you’re back,” Maxim announced from the couch. “I ran out of food last night.”

“I’ll get some stuff later.” Ford sat on the arm of his couch. “But first, why are you in Draper?”

“I ran away. I’m ready to start my own life without my crazy ass mom.”

“You’re sixteen. There isn’t much you can do.”

Maxim nodded. “I know and that’s why I need to stay here until I can find a decent job and place.”

“I don’t mind you staying, but first you have to tell me what happened back home?”

Maxim stalled with his words. “Well, do you know why my dad’s in prison right and why the family hates him?”

“Yeah, he’s a slasher.”

Ford refused to become his uncle.

Maxim rubbed the back of his neck. “Ford, you love me no matter what, right?”

Ford nodded. “Sure.”

A tear streamed down Maxim’s cheek. “Promise me.”

“I promise.”

“I’m a slasher.” More tears flowed as Maxim cried. “I told my mom and she didn’t understand. She kicked me out.”

Ford couldn’t sit here and watch him suffer alone. “So am I.”

Maxim looked up at his big cousin. “Wait, what?”

“I’m a slasher.”

Maxim smirked and wiped his tears. “And this is why you’re my favorite cousin.”

“I’m your only cousin, fool.”

Maxim chuckled. “Ford, can you imagine the possibilities now. We can slash as a team, become famous among those like us. They will all envy the targets we slash and want to be like us.

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