Chuck's Books

Jones Beach, RR 1, Evansburg, AB, T0E 0T0
http://www.telusplanet.net/public/ go1c
Telephone: 1-780-727-2989

The Divorce by Charles O. Goulet

Chapter 1

     Ryan Graham stared at his companion and best friend, David Evans. He could hardly believe what David told him. It seemed inconceivable and far-fetched. "You're not just kidding me...are you?" Ryan could tell by the look on his friend's face that he was serious. Whenever David got serious his grey eyes turned to stone, and his wide mouth narrowed to a mere slit.
     Ryan gulped the dryness from his throat and tried to think of something appropriate to say, but his mind was a blank. He opened his mouth to speak; nothing came out.
    "It's all right, Ryan. I felt the same way when they told me...but now it's starting to sink in."
     Ryan turned away to hide the moisture that came to his eyes. He did not want David to see how hard he was trying to keep the tears from flowing. He steeled himself, stiffened his shoulders, and turned back to his friend. "When...when did they tell you?"
     David's broad face stiffened, his mouth compressed, and he looked down at the ground. "Last night...and again this morning."
     "What are you going to do?"
     "I don't know."
     Ryan realized he asked a stupid question. He felt numb, and his mind could not seem to understand what his friend told him. He could not imagine David's family being split up and changed. He could not imagine David's house without his father—or his mother.
     David clenched his right fist and slammed it into his left hand. "Why did this have to happen?" His eyes were bleak, his face pale and distorted into a hard, hostile mask.
     Ryan touched David's right shoulder. "I'm sorry, David." He shrugged his shoulders. "What can I say?"
     "It's all right, Ryan. It's not your fault. But it might be mine."
     "Wha' you mean?"
     "Ah, they're always fighting over me."
     "Yeah...but so are my parents fighting over me. They say I'm lazy...and irresponsible. I've got no manners. They even compare me to my uncles...or Grandpa...or Grandma...depending on what I've done...or haven't done."
     "So you know what I mean."
     "Ah, come on, David. That's not the reason they're getting a divorce. You're not to blame."
     "Well, I'm not so sure. All their fights seemed to be over me and Doe."
"But that was probably to hide the real reason."
     David swung around to face Ryan. He shouted, "Well, what's the real reason!"
     Ryan stared at his friend. Was he blaming him for what was happening? "I don't know. I thought you might have some idea. Are you sure it's over?"
     David lowered his voice slightly, but there was still an angry edge to it. "Of course, I'm sure. Dad had all his things packed and took them with him when he left this morning."
     "But maybe it's just a quarrel?"
     "No! My parents don't quarrel like that. I'm sure they'll go through with it."
     Ryan patted David's right arm. "I've got to run. I'm late already. If I don't get home, my folks'll be fighting over me."
     David's face crumpled into a sad smile, and he nodded his head.
     "Gosh, David I don't know what to say."
     David's face scrunched up, and Ryan could see that he was fighting to hold back the tears. Ryan placed his right arm around his friend's shoulders, but David shrugged it off angrily and muttered, "Why don't you leave me alone."
     Ryan stiffened. What had he done wrong? Why was his friend angry with him?
     "Why don't you mind your own business!" David's voice was brittle with anger.
     "I-I'm sorry," Ryan stammered.
     David turned away, his shoulders slumping and his head hanging.
     "David....”
     David moved slowly away, as if he had not heard.
     "Please, David....”
     David whirled around. "Leave me alone. Just let me be. I don't want to talk about it any more."
     Ryan stood rigid, staring at the tight face, the flashing eyes, the clenched fists, and the tense figure of his friend.
     "Don't come near me. Don't..." David's voice trailed off. He whirled and broke into a shuffling run as he hurried away from Ryan.
     Ryan stared at his friend's retreating back. His mind was a clutter of disjointed thoughts. Why had this happened? What had David done to deserve this? Why were David and his happy life now turned upside down? Why was David angry with him? Why? Why? Why?

E-mail: go1c@telusplanet.net