#chadp

DARYL- "Are you okay, Kel?"

KEL- "Yeah, it's just sad that now you and your dad start to have a relationship and then he dies. I can't believe he had all that money!"

DARYL - "I was thinking the same thing. I am glad though we made amends. Go over and check with Grams and make sure she is okay; I need to talk to your Uncle Chad."

DARYL: "Chad did you have any idea that dad had all that money?

CHAD: "No, not at all, and what little I thought he'd have it would go to Keisha. I certainly didn't think that you and I along with Raymond would get the bulk of his estate.."

ALEX- “The school has rules Daryl, remember orientation?”

DARYL- “Oh Lord, probation? Grams is going to be mad as a wet hen in Henford!”

As he and Alex were talking, Tatsuo sat down and chimed in.

TATSUO- “It’s not the end of the world, the school gives opportunities before they expel someone.

DARYL- “Expelled?!!  He is not going to be expelled is he??”

ALEX- “That is up to him. As his RA I have to make a choice though regarding the house. He was put on academic probation, and now has been arrested. Those are both actions that require house disciplinary action. I can have him leave the house, or place him under house arrest. If I place him under house arrest then he would have to be with another house member at all times.”

TATSUO- “And if he refuses or does not follow his probation protocol, then he is expelled.”

DARYL- “Excuse me, but who invited you to this conversation?

TATSUO- “Again, not being an ass, Pence, I want to help. I will volunteer to be his “mentor” He really has no choice at this point. He either follows the rules or Britechester will expel him.”

Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into the end of the first semester. It seemed like forever as it was happening, but now that it was here, it seemed to have went by in a flash. Daryl talked through things with Jasper and things went back to how they were before they were boyfriends. Jasper and Chad buds, both antagonizing Daryl. But, it wasn’t they same. It just wasn’t the same at all.

DARYL- “Yeah grams were are coming home for Winterfest Break, we will be leaving here next Friday and staying for three days then going to Sulani for a few days before we head back here.”

RAQUEL- “Are you sure Daryl? When I talked to your brother the other day, he said he wasn’t coming home before leaving for Sulani. Your dad needs you both her to get fitted for the tuxedos before the wedding, you know that is coming up in June! And I spoke with Mrs. Wilson yesterday and she said Jasper told her the same thing, that he wasn’t coming home for Winterfest Break. What kind of children don’t come home for Winterfest!!??”

DARYL- “Grams, don’t worry We all will be home for Winterfest, don’t worry. Chad just told me yesterday he was looking forward to it. He said he needed to get away from here for a while. And was ready to see Newcrest again.”

RAQUEL- “I am concerned, Daryl. You would tell me if Chad was in trouble right? Mrs. Wilson said that Jasper was put on academic probation over at Foxbury, that his grades were way below acceptable levels and if he doesn’t bring them up by next semester he was going to be turned out. You know what that means!  I know him and Chad spend a lot of time together, and she said that Jasper’s grades were failing because he got messed up with a wrong crowd and was drinking!!  Now you know how that led to disaster with your father. I hope that Chad---

She went on and on, and Daryl knew where this was leading, Alcoholism is inherited and because their dad was one, they had a stronger chance that, they too would be. He continued to listen and finally was able to get a word in. 

Frederick Pence and Keisha Wiseman were married in the Pence’s backyard October 31st. Daryl, Chad nor Raquel seemed to be real impressed.

Frederick and Keisha will be living in the home that Keisha shared with her brother down the street from Raquel.

Chad returned home, explaining to his father and Grandmother that he voluntarily withdrew from Britechester, as it just was not for him. He got a job at the police station with his father. He decided that he wanted to be a law enforcement officer and began classes to pursue that dream, and also enrolled in an AA class at the local YMCA.

Almost 24 hours after Daryl assured Raquel that Chad and he were doing fine, he came home from his afternoon class and Alex stopped him as he made his way to he and Chad’s room.

DARYL- “Hey Alex how is it going? Is Chad home, yet?”

ALEX- “No, and I need to talk to you about him. I just got a call from University Police. Chad is there.”

DARYL- “Is he okay??? Why is he at the Police Station. Why did they call you? They should have contacted me if he is hurt or something.”

ALEX- “He is not hurt. Come over and sit down, I can explain everything.”

DARYL- “I really don’t want to sit down, if Chad is in some kind of trouble, would you please just tell me. I need to go down and get him and bring him home.”

ALEX- “He is staying overnight there, Daryl. Please, come sit down so I can explain?”

DARYL- “Just tell me what the hell is going on!”

ALEX- “Fine, the University Police called here, because I am the RA they asked for me. Chad was at the library and causing a public disturbance and overthrew a cart of books and overturned a table. So they arrested him, and the library is pressing charges, so he has to stay overnight.”

DARYL- “WHAT!? Why was he upset?”

ALEX- “I am not sure, Daryl, but they said he was pretty drunk.

DARYL- “Drunk?? It’s only a little after noon.”

ALEX- “That is not all, I got a call last Monday from the University counselor stating that Chad was placed on Academic probation. He has not been coming to his classes, and when he does he usually is drunk or passes out at his desk.”

DARYL- “I don’t understand, this can’t be. I mean what is going to happen??”

ALEX- “Will you come over and sit down now, and let me explain to you his options?”

As he walked the couple miles from the café back to his dorm, even the beautiful autumn colors in Britechester, could not calm Daryl down. He was becoming more irate with each step he took. “Just a friend?, My Ass!!” he kept saying to himself. When he got back to the dorm he showered, hoping that would calm him down, but to no avail, so he went to his room to talk to Chad about it.

DARYL- “Yeah, he told this dude I was “just a friend” Do you believe that? Then walked out with him, and didn’t even say as much as a goodbye. I am done with him. You can have your friend back.!”

CHAD- “Daryl, we have known Jasper almost all our lives, you know how he is. He as a very low self esteem, so having a friend, especially one that is popular is important to him. Just give him a few days, he will come around.”

DARYL- “I wanted a break, he was the one that was like, “OH, I forgot” and kissing on me and shit. I know how he is, and should have never hooked up with him at all back in the spring. I was silly to think this would work.”

About that time, a knock was on their door.

DARYL- “If that is HIM!  I SWEAR!---”

CHAD- “Come on in, the door is unlocked!”

It wasn’t Jasper, it was Tatsuo.

TATSUO- “Hey Daryl, Chad... Gabe said that you guys may have an extra phone charger, I can not seem to find mine and my phone is going to die before I can get to the store tomorrow to get a new one.”

CHAD- “Sure, I have one. Daryl, in the drawer of the desk is that grey power cord, grab it for him?”

TATSUO- “So, Daryl, how was your trip to the café with your boyfr---?”

CHAD- “NO!!  DON’T---”

DARYL- “HE IS NOT MY BOYFRIEND!”

DARYL- “Wow, Chad, of all the girls I know from home, Maren was the last one I expected!”

MAREN- “And what do you mean by that, Daryl Pence?”

CHAD- “Yeah? What do you mean?”

DARYL- “Just that Maren was one of the nicest girls in High School.”

CHAD- “Not sure if that was a slam, but I will take as a compliment.

MAREN- “As do I! Can we go in? It’s cold out here!”

DARYL- “So, how long has this been going on with my brother, Maren?”

MAREN- “You are funny. But it actually started a few months ago, but we just made it official, and told your Grams. She approved.”

DARYL- “What is there to disapprove of!? I mean she knows your entire family. And you are a catch.”

MAREN- “Not what you said back in High School.”

DARYL- “I’m gay, Maren.”

CHAD- There is something else we wanted to tell you Daryl?”

DARYL- “You aren’t pregnant are you, Maren?”

CHAD- “DARYL!”

LATER THAT EVENING ...

DARYL- “CHAD!!  You made it. When you said you were coming by I thought you meant earlier today! So Glad you are here.”

CHAD- “It’s good to see your brother. School treating you good?”

DARYL- “Yes, yes, very good! Give me a hug Bro, you are looking great!”

CHAD- “I am a whole year sober now. No alcohol in over a year, and I owe a lot of that to you brother.”

DARYL- “Naw, Chad, you had to be the one. I am so proud of you. Now where is this fantastic girl you were talking about, and you said I had to see her again, so it is someone I know I take it?”

CHAD- “She parked the car around back, and yeah, you definitely know her.”

MAREN- “Hey Daryl!!”