Life Of Two Best Friends: College CHPT 2

CHAPTER 3

The car ride was filled with chatter and laughing; mostly done by Ken and myself. Jeremy was sitting quietly in the back seat.

‘Things have really changed these last two years.’ The old diner that the old man and I ate at for so many years was closed down and boarded up. The tallest building of downtown of LA was no longer given that title.

Every once in a while I would try and bring Jeremy into the conversation, but nine times out of ten I was just waking him up. So I decided to give up and let him be.

We were finally back in my neck of the woods. ‘This is where the high school…is…’ It was no longer the red bricked building; it was now painted a starch white, and looked more like a prison with the tall black iron fences. As Ken continued to drive, I noticed that the neighborhoods were also more luxiurious. I drove for two years in these neighborhoods, and now it seemed more like a forgein place to me.

“Dude? Where were you just now?” Ken called me back to reality. “I’ve been talking to you for maybe the last twenty minutes and I just finally noticed you weren’t even listening. You good?”

“Yeah. Sorry Bro. Just things are so different here; probably it was just a bigger shock than I thought. What were you saying?”

“Nothing much. Just that the neighborhoods have gotten a face-lift due to the schools new management. I believe it was because the city wanted the surrounding area
of the school to also give off the same vibes. What did you think of the school?” Ken turned into my neighborhood.

“Honestly. It looked more like a prison than a school. With the fences I mean.”

“Those fences have always been there. Maybe you don’t remember since the building was not starch white, but yeah the fences have been like that since our freshman year. But yeah, now that you mention it, the school does look like a prison.”

“Oh. Maybe since in Montana it was different; I’ve just gotten accustomed to life up there.”

‘Strange. There was silence in the car. Ken was never quiet.’

“Well, can I ask about the extra passenger?” Ken said thumbing at the sleeping Jeremy in the back seat.

“Yeah. What do you want to know?” I settled back into the seat; knowing this conversation was expected.

“When did you two become friends?” Ken continued to look through the windsheild.

But I could feel an uncertainty in the air. “Well…” I told him everything. About how we first interacted. How we had to get over our past history and become a team. I explained somewhat about the Jenny situation. About how Jeremy had been chewed out by his coach; reminding Ken that we all labelled his coach as a screamer. I didn’t mention about Jeremy’s dad. It wasn’t my place to say; but that Jeremy couldn’t take it anymore and exploded. It was a wrong place, wrong time kind of moment with Jenny.

“Yeah. But it still doesn’t mean he should say what he did about Jenny. I can’t believe you just let that slide,” Ken said as he turned onto my street.

“I didn’t, Jeremy apologized to me about it. He explained and apologized for everything that needed an apology. Jeremy is actually a good guy. He just didn’t have the best role
models to follow.” Ken looked like he was about to argue again, “We had coach, our parents, us guys; we were the lucky ones.”

Ken nodded. He didn’t say anything because he knew he couldn’t refute that last statment.

“You forgot the most important detail,” Jeremy said while leaning forward hooking his hands onto the sides of our seats.

“Dude. I thought you were out?” I said startled for the sudden noise.

“What detail?” Ken asked.

“My dad. My dad is a real piece of work. Since the age of six, I have been a verbal punching bag for him. I can’t remember once hearing a nice thing, regarding me, come out of his mouth.”

‘That’s something I didn’t know. Wow. Since six years old…’

“The day with Jenny, I had just gotten an earful from my dad. About how I was an embarresment to him, and that I should just stop living,” Jeremy paused, probably recalling that day.

I looked over at Ken; Ken looked embarrassed, probably because of his first intial idea of Jeremy.

“Then you need to add on what my coach had told me right after. Of course my old buds were present for that screaming match. I was so embarressed that I wanted to turn
attention away from me. And…well you know…Jenny was the first person I saw. If I get the chance I will apologize to her in person. I should have never said that to her. I felt like my old man after that day; using words to degrade someone. I wish I could erase that day from everyone’s mind.”

Ken was silent as he pulled into the driveway.

As much as I wanted to get out and see everyone, I was not about to end this.

“I also should apologize to you too, Ken. I might have never said anything to your face, but I did say things to my group. Sorry man.” Jeremy leaned back.

Silence.

“Understood. But let’s move past all this sentimental crap,” Ken said turning off the engine and hopping out of the car.

‘Ken must be thinking things over.’ “Come on Jeremy. Let’s grab our gear,” I followed Ken’s pursuit.

“Sure…” He followed me to the trunk.

Ken grabbed Jeremy’s bag and handed it to him, “But thanks for the apology. Do you want to explain this to everyone inside that house,” pointing to my front door, “Or would you like me to do the honors?”

“What do you mean?” a confused Jermey took his bag from Ken.

“Well. That house is filled to the brim with people who know George. I think only Jerry and Matthew know what happened with Jenny, and they are definitely inside. Oh crap, it’s supposed to be a surprise, you have to act surprised,” Ken said towards me. “But I thought this one,” thumbing at Jeremy, “would like to know beforehand.”

‘Mom.’ “My mom loves being a hostess. Be happy it is no longer my biological mom; she would have chewed you out the moment you stepped into her house. ‘Thankfully it is not her.’

“Thanks for the heads up. Maybe you could drop me off at a hotel…” Jeremy said backing away from the house.

“Nope. Everyone is expecting George and his roommate,” Ken walked behind us and started shoving us towards the door. “But that’s why I said I could explain to the other guys about you? Only to the ones that might know you.”

“Thanks bro,” Jeremy swung his arm over Ken’s shoulder.

Ken shrugged it off, “Not your bro yet. But knowing this guy,” smacking me on the shoulder, “it won’t be long.”

‘Ouch. Why does he keep doing that? But I can’t kill the messenger.’ “You are lucky you are helping Jeremy out, or you would be dead right now,” I side glanced at Ken.

We were almost to the front door; we were walking slow. We were waiting for the conversation between the three of us to be done, before we opened the can of craziness in front of us.

“You two are the same as before. I wonder how the other guys will feel about my presence?” Jeremy stepped backward a step to be the third person through the door.

Ken laughed, “Let’s be honest. Their reaction is going to be pretty similar to mine. Enough talk. Let’s go!” Ken pushed open the door.

Life Of Two Best Friends: College CHPT 1

CHAPTER 2

‘Well Coach Jones has made me a liar.’ He gave us a week off for a real vacation. We are allowed to travel home, but that we need to continue to train personally. Because when we get back, we are going to travel South to Bozeman.

Also Coach Jones said, “College is going to be fast-paced. Enjoy this vacation, because you will only get a handful of days off these next four years.”

‘Great…and great!’ I will take this time off and travel home! Since life has been so busy this last year I haven’t kept in touch with the guys as much as I wanted. I haven’t seen Jerry for about three months. ‘I’m actually pumped to go home.’

‘Got to call the old man’, “Ring…Ring…rin…Dad?”

“Hey Son. This is a surprise, how’s it going up there?” Dad’s voiced echoed.

“All is good. But I’m coming home for about a week. Will you and Mom be home?”

“What a treat!,” Dad voiced echoed louder, probably because he moved the phone away from his ear as he spoke, “Honey…George is coming home this week!” I heard a happy girlish sqeal in the background noise, and a very loud, ‘Yippee!’” Dad’s voice now was more clear and he chuckled before continuing, “I don’t know if you could hear her, but your mom is super excited. Be ready for a big welcome home party.”

“Sounds good to me, and yes I could hear her,” I laughed.

“Me too,” Jeremy said behind me, “in case she was curious how loud she can be,” Jeremy laughed as he too was packing his bags.

“Who was that, son? Girlfriend?”

I laughed and almost dropped my phone, “Nope. Its my roommate Jeremy. He said he could hear Mom too.” Dad just laughed and laughed.

“What’s your roommate going to do for the vacation?” Dad asked as the laughter died down. “If he doesn’t have anything, bring him along. I would like to meet the young man that you have been growing up with. And it’s all on me. But Son, I’m sorry, but I have to go. I only stopped by home for a quick lunch and I need to head back. Do you need anything else?”

“Nope… Well, are you going to pick us up? It will cost a fortune for me to get an uber,” I looking up prices as we spoke.

“Don’t worry about it. I will come get you, and if I can’t, for some reason, I’ll send someone. But got to go. Bye Son,” Dad said and hung up before I could reply.

‘It was good to hear his voice. It had been a while since I actually talked to him.’ Seeing him in person tomorrow is going to be awesome but also strange. Turning to Jeremy, “So what are your plans for this vacation?”

“I was going to spend it with my mom, but she is on a cruise with my aunt; for a ladies escape..I think that’s what they called it…” Jeremy continued to pack his bag. “So instead, I’ll be going home, and hanging out. At least it is a break.”

“Well your idea sounds interesting, but my dad was curious if you would like to come back with me?”

Jeremy stopped and turned to me, “Why?”

“His words, ‘I want to meet the young man I had grown up with these last two years,’” I hope my impression of my dad was great.

Jeremy laughed, “Your dad seems really cool. But are you sure? I would be coming along with you on your vacation.”

“No problem about it. And my mom is like, ‘the more the merrier,’ type of person. Do you want to come?” I say as I flip open my laptop to book the flights.

“I would, but the expense of it all. Yeah, I was already planning on flying to California, but the expense of room and board… I don’t think I can swing it,” Jeremy sat down on his bed.

“All expenses paid. My dad already said so. Are you coming? I am booking the flights now,” I said pointing at the screen.

“Wow. Okay. I guess I am coming,” Jeremy walked over to my bed and help me decide on the seats.

…

‘I wonder if it will be Dad or his assistant?’ We were already at LAX. We had somewhat agreed on the earliest flight. It was six-thirty in the morning now, and the sun was beginning to rise. Unlike Jeremy; he seemed to be slowly slinking down closer to the ground. “Dude, pick yourself up and look alive. LAX is busier than the airport back home.” ‘Home?’ Weird, that came out of my mouth about Montana.

“Uggh…fine. Why did I let you talk me into this early. I am so dead. When will the ride be here?” Jeremy said pulling his body up, but not his attitude.

“Wow. Whinny Jeremy is back. It’s like you gave gone backwards two years of maturity. But the ride should be here soon.” ‘Where is dad?’ I look down the line of cars. I saw arms flailing across the line of cars in the center divider. ‘Who…?’

Jeremy was now just beside me, “Isn’t that your old bud…what’s his name…the one that was always talking smack…”

“Ken.” Ken was here! Without Jeremy, I started walking to the crosswalk. ‘Why is this light so slow.’ I hadn’t seen Ken in almost a year and a half. ‘…Green!’ I was off to the other side. I just assumed Jeremy was following.

“Dude!” Ken left his driver side door and ran towards me.

‘Ken was almost them same.’ Yeah it had been two years, but Ken was still the same height. However, he had bulked up; as he lifted me into the air for a hug. “Okay. Okay. Let me down,” he was cutting off circulation to my limbs. Thankfully he listened and put me down.

“I can’t believe you are back! Your dad told me to pick someone up at the airport. I had no idea it was you, until I saw you,” Ken tried like always to swing his arm over my shoulders. “When did you get so tall? You weren’t this height at your dad’s wedding were you?”

‘I forgot. That is another change. I am six-foot one inch.’ Unless Matthew grew, I am the tallest of the guys, and according to the physician at school I will continue to grow until I am about twenty-two. “No. I have grown in the past year and a half, and I’m told it will continue,” I turn remembering I brought someone with me. ‘Where is he?’

“Who are you looking for…” Ken’s words drowned off.

I followed his eyeline. ‘Yep. He found Jeremy.’ “Hurry up will you?” I yelled at Jeremy, as he dragged his butt over to where we were standing.

“I didn’t realize you had left. I turned and you were not there anymore. Oh,” Jeremy realized Ken was staring at him, “hello Ken.”

Ken looked at me. I nodded. He looked back at Jeremy, “Hello Jeremy. Let’s head out,” Ken walked back to the driver door and climbed in.

“I guess, you didn’t tell your friends about me…” Jeremy and I started towards the car.

“Well we weren’t really buds until after my parents wedding. Let’s just get going,” I threw my bag in the trunk and climbed in the front seat. I didn’t know if Ken would wait for Jeremy, but thankfully he did. Jeremy got in the backseat, and we were off.