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Coming of Age Drama

warning I dont know the rules with swearing and If there is any, this story hits a personal note with stuff in my life a bit and was written to Express that and this subject just happened to line up with it.


"I love you", said Julie. She looked at Mason. 


"I love you to", Mason leaned in and kissed her. She wrapped her arms around him as their lips locked. Just then his watch went off. He backed up letting go of her kiss.


"Awe crap I have this thing with my Cousin, I gotta run", she nodded smiling. Go get them sweetheart. Your gonna be amazing up on stage",


He stood up and ran to the door grabbed his shoes and in a flash had them on and opened the door.


She blew him a kiss. He caught it and put it to his chest. He stepped out the door.


"Yo sorry Rems,I'm on my way," he grabbed his skateboard and flipped it down and onto it's backside.


He rode down the street. The sun was blazing on this beautiful 70 degree day. He turned to the left down the sidewalk.


"It's chill lil man just hurry up get over here we start in a hour", said Rem.


"No problem", said Mason. He tore down the Street. The beautiful houses from the 50s stood on the left and the right. As he pulled up to his place. He lived on Edge circle, no one came down this street. The houses were run down and falling apart. Even his place. 


Hey pop", he spoke. A black haired man with short hair and glasses came out, he was fat with a grey shirt and blue shorts. He had a drink in his hand and short facial hair. He came to a halt at the curbside where a bunch of stuff was. 


"What's this"? 


"Your out of here kid, he grabbed a can from the side of the lawn and poured it in his mouth. He looked back at Mason. "You and your mother can get lost"? He emptied the rest of the can onto the Guitar sitting up on a side table in front he smashed the can onto the guitar. He grabbed it up and threw it against the side of the house. It hit the bricks.


The guitar flew apart with the force. Mason watched it as his arm threw l it and it shattered apart. The final ding of the strings as they snapped apart and the guitar hit the ground.


Hahahaha. His step father started laughing.


"You son of a", a hand grabbed his as he went to hit him. He looked over to see his mother. she had brown hair and hazel eyes. Long wavy. She looked tired and like she did hardcore drugs. Her teeth were yellow as she spoke he could smell the smoke.


"What you gonna do bout it kid"? Said his step father, you ain't got the Guts anyway, he spit in masons direction. He didn't get along that well with him but this was unexpected. He turned to his mom.


You know your a piece of shit", yelled his mother at him, "You knew about his gig. Our problems are our own",


"Fuck you", he flipped her off. She went in her purse. Tear marks were in her eyes her make up was a mess.


"Come on Mason, we gotta go", she said.


"I have a Gig tonight at the park", said Mason.


"Cancel it we're leaving town, besides your guitars broke",


"ya weren't that good kid, time to think about a future and stop acting like your in a glee club like a sissy bitch, and take your head out of your ass", said his stepdad.


"Wow thanks for the confidence that was what I really needed, my life's here", he pointed to the house. "My music",


"Oh almost forgot", his step dad threw a bucket in front of him with ashes and music sheets ripped up, "when ya wanna accept reality let me know, but then again it won't matter he laughed. he turned and went inside and slamming the door behind him.


"You son of a bitch", said Mason. "You goddamn fucking", 


Language he's your step father you owe him some respect, he still gave you a roof all these years", he looked at his mom with hatred she took a drink of a bottle in her hand. She started toward the car.


He saw a box labeled Mason on the lawn, he grabbed up another box and put it in the car. His mother went to the driver side. He opened his box grabbed out what was on the bottom shoved it in his back pack. 


What are you doing come on leave it, said his mother. We don't have time for this she got out of the car.


'He let his skateboard down and took off. How the hell could they do this to me'?


She ran to grab him he swerved out of the way almost hit a pole and turned. He hopped a curb and let his foot down going faster.


"Mason where the hell are you going"? He could hear in the distance. His anger and fury propelled him forward. He flipped up onto a curve and road it with the wheels. He brought himself down and ramped up the next part of the sidewalk. The school he went to or did was on his right, 


His mother was a alcoholic and her boyfriend who had a starring role as his makeshift father was kicking them out. This was the third place in two years. Given the chance she'd do this again.


Ugh he hated her. She could give them a better life. He was fourteen almost old enough to drive and almost old enough to get a job. He knew ahead was probably emancipation. He needed more and if she wasn't gonna be it then, well he'd figure it out on his own.


His thoughts were interrupted as his phone rang. He grabbed it out of his pocket and spoke, yeah,


"Hey Mason where ya at bud, his friend spoke were warming up to start, you got the music"? He pictured his step dad throwing the sheets of paper into the bin and pouring fluid on it as a fire raged to the outside of the bucket.


"How close are we ya think"? Asked Mason.


"Awe dude we got it down pretty well", said his cousin. "We just need ya to get here", 


"Alright I'm on my way", he spoke. 


Rem spoke into the phone, "ok let me know when your here",


"No problem", said Mason he hung up. Then he heard on his left a voice.


Mason come on, you can't go to the Audition I'm not gonna allow it", said his mother. She was in the car driving slower to catch up with him.


"Go fuck off then, you know how much this means to me and your gonna do that", he looked forward as a turn came up he hopped the curb and sparked to the right. She turned right and slowly followed. No other car was in front or back of her.


"Get in the car, this is ridiculous", she yelled she was turning red and was slurring. He shook his head and rode on. 


"Mason",she screamed. 


"Look you might not care about my music but I do, you have a piece of garbage boyfriend that's not my problem". She stopped the Sedan. He noticed the red light. 


He kept going. The cars were coming as he rode. Come on gotta speed it up. He moved faster hoped for the best. 


A car honked as it collided with him. He was slammed off the board and hit the pavement. His face hit the pavement first and his nose busted. Blood poured from his face. 


"Mason oh my god", yelled his mother. She ran across the street.


Mason reached the Curb and snapped out of his delusion. Yeah she would then realize she made a mistake by choosing boy toys over her own child he thought. He turned his board so he could flip her off as he moved on. The park was coming up. He could see the stage. His friend was behind the curtains he knew. They were practicing. The chairs were all out but still empty. The manager of the program was in front. She'd deal with his mom he thought. She could understand betrayal if everyone else couldn't.


He could hear it now the roar of the crowd. Millions of people chanting there names.


He pulled up the board and walked across the grass. The sun was starting to go down a little. He could feel the air get cooler. A nice breeze went through his hair. He walked across. The feel of the grass was extra reassuring. This part of the school was reserved for this exact thing. The stage was above the rest of the ground a bit. There was a fence that wrapped around the area. It was a good place to have a concert.


The one issue he hoped could still be solved was he was now guitar-less. Thankfully they were near the school. His own school he had no intention of leaving now.


"Hey guys", said Mason. He saw flashing lights behind him. He turned. His mother was on top of a police car handcuffed. The front end of the red sedan was totaled. He just kept walking.


Hey is that your mom"? Asked Rem. He had hazel eyes and brown hair.He watched as she was put in the back of the car.


"Yeah long story", said Mason.


"Where's your guitar dude"? Asked Sammy. She had blue hair and mint colored eye shadow.


"Where's the music"? Rem spoke. Sammy was coming from the back of the stage holding a Bass.


We know the songs pretty well, let's just improvise and see what happens", said Mason. Tears were in his eyes but he sniffed and brushed it off.


"You ok"? Asked Rem. He reached out to hug Mason. He hugged him and started to cry.


It's ok let it out", said Rem. He glared at Sammy 


Rem spoke, " Sammy grab my guitar please",


"My moms boyfriend kicked us out", Mason walked behind the stage with Rem tailing him. He lit a cigarette from his Newport pack and smoked he quickly put it out as the head of the music program came over.


"Hey you guys almost ready"? 


Rem nodded.


"Yeah we got it almost together", Mason spoke.


"Good well this is it", is there anything you need from me"? She spoke. She was excited. You know I'm really happy the music program is having this competition. if we win this we go to state",


Yay said Mason. He was excited about that, then sorrow hit him. He knew that this was probably it. He realized with his mother going to jail and not having anywhere to go, he probably wouldn't get the opportunity. One last gig, he thought. 'One last gig'. 


Come on dude here's the guitar", said Sammy. She handed it to him. He took it and nodded. They went up the steps onto the stage. The lighting was perfect stagelights. The curtains were still closed.


Ok so on the G chord, I want to do this, said Rem. He handed the music notes to Mason. Mason looked up.


"So we got notes then"? He asked.


I just made a copy", said Rem. "I wanted to make sure I could prepare better",


"Oh thank god, you gotta get me a copy? ok of this", said Mason.


"That's fine, but what happened with yours and your guitar"? Asked Sammy. She came over.


"It was smashed and my music was burned", said Mason. 


Hahaha laughed Rem. "Your hilarious",


Sammy looked at him. Mason just shook his head tuning the guitar.


"Wait your serious, Dude that's fucked", said Rem.


Yeah i know said Mason but my dad just became the biggest jerk in the world and my mom didn't even want me to come cause she wanted to drink and head god knows where",


"I am so sorry", said Sammy.


 Guys you ready"? Asked the Head of music.


"Hell yeah let's do this". Said Rem. He looked at Mason who smiled. He turned his chair and moved it off stage. Then got in place.


Presenting The Animals of Spring Green", the crowd chanted. The curtains moved out of place. They got in position.


They played. Mason strummed his guitar to the lyrics of a old Springsteen song. The crowd cheered when they finished.


Dude that was wicked. Said Rem. Let's do another one", Mason nodded. 


Which one you thinking about"? Asked Mason.


"Well how about a Bon Jovi hit"? Asked Rem.


"Wanted"? Asked Mason. 


Nah guys let's do satisfaction by stones", said Sammy. 


Awe that's perfect. You ready to get evil"? Asked Mason. Rem smiled. Ready"?


"Hell yeah", they played the Rolling stones song satisfaction. And when Mason set his guitar down he heard it.


Wooooooooooooo", clapping and pictures. They turned and headed to the back stage.


"And the winner who will face off against the Hornets on the State music Stage is the Animals of Spring Green. 


"Woooooooo", 


Later...


That's about how I remember it happening tonight, Mason spoke. He looked over at the Cop. The case worker nodded. She set her file down and started writing some notes. The office was quiet. 


"Do you have any family we can contact in the nearby area you can think of"? Asked the worker. She had dark hair and green eyes. She looked unhappy and over worked. A bit like a toad with hair,


No none my mom is fine though right"? He asked. The cop shook his head. He had black short hair and greenish Blue eyes. "We found traces of Acid and Cocaine, you really should probably be really pissed off at her", 


the caseworker glared at him.


"No he shouldn't she has an addiction",


"She's useless", said Mason. Our third town this year we have moved five or six times in the past.


"I'm really sorry", she spoke.


Don't be, it's probably better right, That is the speech I feel is coming anyway, personally the speech I am hoping for. I'm tired of being beat up by her useless excuses of men and I'm tired of being almost in this situation, I lost it all tonight",


"I am really sorry", said the officer. "We have a foster home that isn't to far", the Russell's I believe right"?


"Oh yeah the Russell's are good people. I just heard they got a opening to for a child", said the caseworker.


"Is it some radio show I missed or something, an opening huh like an audition, what you want me to sing a song and dance. Hope to God I can live with them"?


No sorry it's a open spot in the home. They take up to six kids and raise them, mostly boys like you but they have made exceptions in the past for women who have needed a place",


"I'm creeped out", said Mason. "So your telling me I might have a place though"?


"You have good grades you don't do drugs and you have a music career starting,why not, with great", 


"Power comes great responsibility, but I'm not Spider-Man I'm Mason", he spoke. And this is my reality which means I'm gonna get fucked some how again".


"Not this time I promise", said the caseworker. I promise",


Around State Time.....


Good luck up there your gonna be great said Mrs. Russell. She smiled and Mason hugged her. She had greying hair was older. Her other sons were around her smiling. He let go and ran up the back of the stage.


"Hey hey", said Rem. He smiled as Mason came up onto the back. The lights were dim. The spot lights were ready and some glaring blue light was above. The other band was out on stage already playing.


They're pretty good said Sammy. She came behind Mason. Hey guys",


Sammy", They said together. She laughed and handed Mason and Rem guitar picks. They were dressed up in funky outfits. Hippie clothes. Mason had a bandana on his head wrapped. A greenish color. It was going with the Beatles music they were going to perform.


Ok so remember the first line of hard date night is changing to",


Yes we got it Sammy", laughed Rem. We also had to make a few scratches. He handed her the papers he had and proceeded to talk. Mason walked away and went to the side where the other band was rocking tenaciously To the D music. Or Jack black and Kyle Gass music.


"The rise of the Phoenix", it's a hell of a tale", they sang.


Yeah they probably could take this band Mason thought. They sounded rough.


"Hey Mason"? Asked a voice. He turned to an unexpected sight. His mother had her hair fixed and cleaned up. She smelled better and had cleaned up a lot. She looked healthier. It had been three months. 


"Mom", asked Mason. He went over. 


"Hey buddy", she spoke. She smiled. She seemed fragile though. He felt tears come to his eyes and he hugged her. 


How are you doing"? He asked. She grabbed him tight and then let go. She looked up at him.


"Look at you", she smiled. "I'm ok, they have me on anti psychotics and I quit in rehab. I have a job now and I'm working hard to get things straight, I wanted you to know I love you and I can't wait to see you up there",


"I love you to mom, I am really glad your doing better", said Mason. He hugged her again as Rem came back with Sammy.


"Hey we're just about on. Oh hi Mrs. Palmer", she smiled and said, good to see you Remi", 


Well I'm gonna let you get to rocking I'll be out on the floor. I'm so proud of my boy", 


"Thanks mom". He turned and they went out. 


He got ready and put his pick to the guitar strings.

February 05, 2021 03:20

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