"Yes, it is."
"I can't accept this."
After his A.A meeting, Paul passed by the local music store on his way home and had seen a pristine electric guitar displayed on the window. It was a 2008 Gibson SG Standard with a shiny black finish, and was the exact replica of the one he had destroyed, save for the different color. It was over a thousand dollars, but definitely worth it.
He didn't buy the guitar because he wanted to bribe West into forgiving him, though. He may have been drunk out of his mind when he first heard West sing, but that delicate voice of his stayed burned onto his mind like a brand. He wanted to hear him sing again, he wanted to see that carefree expression that he had on his face when his fingers glided on the fretboard without any difficulty. He wanted to make West happy for once.
"It's the least I can do after I smashed your last one to pieces. That was wrong and incredibly selfish of me. Weston, you're extremely talented, and I heard it in your voice, saw it on your face that you truly loved music. I'm sorry that I tainted that love. Please accept this gift. You don't have to hide from me or anyone anymore. I want you to feel free to sing your heart out, I promise I won't complain. The neighbors might, though. But I'd punch every single one of them in the face before they get the chance to. I want you... to be happy. And If there's one thing I'm sure of, is that music makes you happy."
West felt his heart flutter, he'd never seen this side of his dad before. Maybe he really was trying to make things right. And even though he was probably joking, the punching would have to stop.
"Please don't punch anyone in the face."
"Oh... right... sorry. I meant it in a--"
"Thanks, Dad." West smiled. He picked up the guitar from it's square case and brushed his fingers along the smooth surface. It truly was a beauty, and he couldn't wait to play it. He glanced up at his dad who was staring at the guitar longingly.
"You used to play... Before I was born. Why did you stop?"
Paul winced, but his expression quickly closed up when West looked at him curiously. "How do you know that?"
"You stashed away Mom's things in the basement. Including the photo albums."
"Oh. I played... in a rock band. But it was just something to pass the time."
West could tell Paul was lying. It probably meant more to him than he let on. He felt a wave of guilt when he realized Paul must've stopped playing to take care of him. A child that wasn't even his. Was it Paul's dream to become a rock singer or a guitarist? West couldn't imagine having to give up everything to take care of a baby at 17. The people that did it were truly the strongest.
"Oh... So judging from the photos, Dennis played the drums, the guy on the bass was..."
"Jake. Jake Graham. He actually owns the construction company I'm working at."
West nodded, "Play something."
"What?"
"Play something. If you were in a band then you must've been good."
"I wasn't that--"
"Catch."
West threw the guitar in his dad's direction which caused him to automatically catch in in his arms.
Darn reflexes.
"What should I play?"
West squinted his eyes as he tried to think of a song with an awesome guitar solo. His mind drew blanks so he just shrugged his shoulders.
"Anything. I'll go get the amp. You wait here."
Paul shook his head. He didn't understand why West was insisting on hearing him play. It had been almost two decades since he touched an instrument, and it brought up painful memories of the times he and his friends used to play for Jennifer and her friends in an effort to sweep them off their feet.
"Alright. Plug it in."
West watched as Paul plugged the guitar in. He set the volume on low so that he could be able to tune the strings. And he did it flawlessly. Like he never did stop playing. That was one thing West struggled with, tuning his strings. He made a mental note to ask his dad for tips later on.
When Paul played the first note, it reverberated throughout the whole house. The sound was clean and smooth and nothing like West had ever played before. He was self taught so he still made a couple of mistakes. Paul was obviously a pro. He played 'Killer Queen' by Queen, and West had stared at him in awe for the entire duration of the song. When it was time for the guitar solo, West was almost certain he'd give rock music a shot. Almost.
Paul executed the song perfectly. It started out as playing one song just so he could please his son, but one song turned into 6, soon enough, West was dancing or rather, jumping, all over the furniture. He attempted to play air guitar as he jumped on top of the couch, which only resulted in him ripping a hole through the worn leather.
The music ceased and his father stared at him with a blank look on his face before bursting out into laughter.
-
A little while later, they ordered Chinese food, then threw out the couch from 1991, they were now gorging down their meals while seated on the floor.
"Y'know, I liked that couch."
West couldn't help rolling his eyes, "It was old, anyway."
"Yeah? Like your board?"
"Why does everybody keep insulting my board? It's mine and I like it."
"Everybody?" Paul asked with a raised brow as he stuffed two whole dumplings in his mouth.
"Well, yeah, just... Killian."
"Rich's kid? He seems nice."
West nodded then abruptly heaved himself from the floor without finishing his meal.
"Weston?"
"I'm tired, I think I'm gonna turn in early tonight."
Paul watched as his son trudged up the stairs with a less than cheerful expression on his face.
Was it something I said?
-----------------
Harper was still feeling like shit a few days later. He hoped the party he was attending tomorrow would make him forget. At least for a little while. He had also been deliberately avoiding his best friend. He loved Killian, but he was suffocating at times. And he was always trying to fix other people's problems for them. The hero complex was one of his biggest flaws. Harper didn't want to be saved. He wanted to wallow in his own misery without anyone pestering him, trying to get him to talk about his feelings. Feelings were for girls.
You cried when George dumped you. His inner voice reminded him.
He sighed then pulled his sweater paws up so he could check the time on his Casio watch. He'd been at the grocery store for an hour. It normally would've taken him 15 minutes tops, but his mind kept on drifting. He wondered how long he'd been staring at the Long Life cartons of soy milk.
Great, people probably think I'm a weirdo now. Just like Killian's boyfriend. Who stares at cartons of milk? Might as well go scream at some cheese while I'm at it.
"Excuse me."
Harper yelped as he was interrupted from his thoughts. He turned around only to see a heavily pregnant woman standing behind him.
"Sorry."
He assumed she wanted a carton of milk so he grabbed one from the shelve he was blocking and handed it to her. The woman only scowled at him.
"Oookay..." He awkwardly put the carton of milk back on the shelve and started to move around her but she blocked the action with her tiny arm.
"Uhm, Lady?"
"Do you know who I am?"
Harper looked at her quizzically, then his eyes shot to her big belly.
Did I hook up with her at one of Clancy's parties, maybe? I never remember anything after his parties. There was also that orgy from like 7 months ago, though. Shit, Did I use protection? I'm never drinking ever again.
He raked a hand through his hair and lowered his voice so that anyone passing by couldn't overhear. Gossip traveled real fast in this small town.
"Fucking hell, It's mine isn't it?"
"What--"
"My mom's gonna set me on fire. Burning to death is literally the worst way to die. I mean, I hate living, but I don't wanna burn to death. I'm too prett--"
"Stop. It's not your baby. It's George's. Does that name ring any bells, Harper Graham?"
Harper's eyes widened, Was this the infamous fiance? She was absolutely beautiful. A bit on the thin side, but Harper liked petite women.
George and I have the same taste in women. Cool.
"You're Stacy?"
"In the flesh." She replied, Her voice dripping with bitterness.
Shit...Did she find out about my classroom escapades with George?
"Oh, uh... congratulations on the, uh...baby and... engagement and stuff."
Stacy took a step towards Harper so there was no distance between them. She was short too, so she had to crane her head up in order to look at him in the eye.
"You listen here, fag, George is not a homosexual and he never will be. I will not have you poisoning his mind. He never acted this way before you came along. You're a disgrace to the human race and I will not stand by and watch while you wreck my home. Stay away from him. Stay away from my family or there will be consequences. Heed my warning."
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