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Good Enough--Crossroads--Chapter 6.5

Eating dinner at the Denton Family home on Sunday evening was far more casual than Chance figured it would be. They had arrived about an hour after church service had ended and--as per Vivian's instruction--had come prepared for a barbecue and swimming. Sylvia had greeted them at the door and led them to the back where the pool was and Chance was eager to jump in. Soon enough, he and Sylvia were enjoying the cool water on the hot day, while the adults made small talk and joked.

By the time that Chance and Sylvia had been called out of the pool for dinner, Chance had long since lost track of time; the sun had started to set as he climbed out and toweled off before joining the adults at the picnic table where the food had been prepared and set. He eagerly piled food onto his plate and stopped just before taking a bite when he noticed everyone watching curiously.

"Behave yourself," David said warningly.

"Right," Chance murmured shyly, setting his hot dog down. "Say grace first..."

"It's okay, he's just young," Vivian said kindly. "Would you like to do the honors, Chance?"

Chance hesitated but said a quick--very simple--blessing over the food before he started to eat. Vivian and Michelle had resumed talking almost immediately and Chance was about to down his second hot dog when he heard a question directed to him.

"You're a hungry little fella, aren't you?" Derek said in surprise.

Chance hesitated. "Sorry. I just really like barbecue."

"It's alright," Derek remarked. "I'm just amazed at how scrawny you are when you can eat like a vacuum cleaner."

Taking a calming breath, Chance answered, "I'm not scrawny."

"Fine, skinny," Sylvia said teasingly.

Chance bit back his retort. Instead, after a few seconds, he said, "Maybe I just have a really fast meta... matab... I digest faster."

"Metabolism," Sylvia corrected with a small giggle. "A fast metabolism."

"Yeah, that," Chance agreed. He took a bite of his second hotdog before shoveling potato salad into his mouth.

"Slow down, Charles," David snarled. "Show some decorum."

Chance swallowed. "Sorry."

"It's okay, Davey," Michelle said. "It just means he likes it." She nudged him nicely. "You need to loosen up. Relax."

"I am relaxed," David answered, though he continued to glare down at his son, who had noticeably slowed down his eating.

"So, Chance, how's the new school treating you? Had enough time to get used to it?" Vivian asked before sipping her soda.

Chance shrugged. "It's okay. Still kind of prefer my old school. The teachers were a lot less demanding." He sipped from his soda. "But I think I'm doing well. I'm passing all of my classes."

"Thanks to me," Sylvia said lowly.

Chance stuck his tongue out at her. "I'm still passing! That's what matters."

"Just barely," David murmured darkly.

Chance looked down at his plate, unable to bring himself to reply or retort. After a few more tense seconds, Sylvia spoke up.

"So, Chance, can I ask you a question?" she ventured.

"That was a question," Chance joked.

"Ha, ha, ha," she scoffed in amusement. "I meant, can I ask you a personal question?"

"How personal?"

"Can I ask you how you got the scars?"

Chance paused before taking another bite. Despite looking downward, he was aware that he was being watched carefully as the Denton Family (and Michelle) waited for an answer. Chance glanced up at his father, who looked back at him with an unreadable expression. Then, he nodded.

"Well, it wasn't anything really spectacular," Chance answered. "It was just a car accident."

"Yikes," Derek said. He let out a small whistle. "Glad you're okay, little pup."

Chance let out a sharp exhale, annoyed at being called "little pup". "Yeah, it was pretty bad," Chance continued, "but all in all, I think I healed up well. Although the doctor said the scars might not go away." He looked down sadly, running his finger along the scar beneath his eye.

"Well, I think you look handsome anyway," Sylvia said encouragingly, reaching forward to touch Chance's paw.

Chance smiled up at her. "You look good too," he said awkwardly, though with a grin on his face.

---

"Chance, just a moment," David said when they returned home.

Chance, who had started to make his way to his bedroom, paused and looked back at his father. Michelle, too, stopped, looking with interest at the look on her husband's face. David turned to her and kissed her kindly, giving her a warm smile.

"I just want to have a small... heart-to-heart with Chance," David assured her. "Won't take long." Chance shifted nervously as Michelle returned David's smile. She walked back to the bedroom and closed the door and, finally, David turned to Chance. "Let's have a chat."

"About...?"

"You'll see," David said, leading Chance into the kitchen. Chance sank down into one of the chairs at the kitchen table. David walked over to the refrigerator, pulling out two cans of soda--one of the grape soda that he liked and one of the lemon-lime that Chance liked. Returning to the table, David sat down, passing the lemon-lime soda to his son before popping the tab on his own. He took a sip before speaking. "Not thirsty?"

"Not really," Chance answered.

"I see." David tapped the table once, twice, before clearing his throat. He spoke once more. "What do you think about Sylvia?"

"She's pretty cool," Chance answered. "Nice girl."

"Do you like her?"

At once, Chance's eyes narrowed. So, that's what this is about. "Not the way you think. She's just a friend."

"Have you even thought about maybe dating her?" David wondered. "She's a pretty young lioness. You said so yourself. You know, Vivian was saying how you two got along so well today."

"Yeah, because we're friends."

"Maybe you two will want to become more," David suggested. He sighed. "Chance, I've been tolerant with this whole homosexual phase you've been going through, but I think it's time I put my foot down."

"It's not a--!" David held up his paw and Chance stopped his retort.

"This isn't an argument, nor is this a discussion. This time, you're going to listen and do as you're told," David said. "First, I don't want you to say that you're gay anymore. No more." Chance nodded, fighting the urge to protest. "Second, I don't want you hanging around that jackal anymore."

"Zack? Why?"

"Because I said so," David snapped back. "Now you listen to me; I've put up with this long enough. No more."

"What about my training? Zack's supposed to be training me."

"How exactly do you plan to get there without a car? Or a license?" David challenged.

"Why're you so against it?" Chance said and he noted a whiny tone in his voice. But he found he didn't care. "I'm still me!"

"Because it's wrong," David said in a calm monotone. "And I'm not going to put up with it."

"What makes it wrong?" Chance snarled. "You know, Mom wouldn't be saying that. She actually loves me."

"If she loved you, she'd be here to look after you," David countered and Chance could hear the anger in his voice growing.

"She does love me! She loves me a hell of a lot more than you ever did!"

"How dare you?!" David yelled rising. "I'm the one here busting my ass to make sure you have everything you could need and more! You've got food to eat, a place to sleep, and I've given you money for this stupid art shit you're into! Don't you ever say I don't love you!"

"Then why is this such a big deal with you?!"

"Don't you dare raise your voice to me!" David bellowed and Chance felt his courage start to waver. He felt himself attempt to back away. "I raised you better than this and you will behave better. Do I make myself clear, Charles?"

Chance nodded.

"Speak up, boy!"

"Yes, sir!"

"Good. Go to your room," David ordered. "I'll see you in the morning."

"Yes, sir."

Chance stood and started to make his way towards his bedroom when his father spoke once more.

"Chance, regardless of what you may think, I do love you dearly."

Chance sniffled, but didn't allow out the sob that snagged in his throat. He didn't want to punished for that too...