Dance with Me

“I didn’t hurt myself, Dad. Geez.”
Pete scrubbed a hand down his face in
frustration. A fishing line zipped by his face again and he jerked to the left
to avoid it. If only the old guys would watch what they were doing!
“There’s no judgment, son, if you did. Just want you to remember that
I’m always here for you and your brother.”
Pete laughed suddenly and harshly. “You keep saying that. I’ve barely
seen you since the divorce. You’re not here for me or Chuck. You and Mom
expect me to take your place with him.” Pete thought he would feel better
after getting the truth out, but he just felt bad. There was a funny feeling in
his chest, like someone putting a hand there and pushing hard.
Dad’s shoulders slumped. “That’s not true, Pete. I live across town and
you know I work odd hours. I’m doing the best I can. You and Chuck need
to know that. I mean … I’ll try harder. I love you both.”
Yeah, Pete heard that a lot from both of his parents, but words weren’t
enough anymore. If Pete wanted to, he could really just cry right now. But
crying hurt even worse than getting mad, so he decided on the mad.

---

“
This
,” Pete lifted his bandaged arm to his dad’s face, “was a freak
accident. There were witnesses, okay? Unless I used my mind to make a
buzz saw blade fly at me and try to take my hand off? 
Right!
Not freaking
possible. Just take me home, Dad. I’m done!”
“Please calm down, Pete.”
“Please, just take me home.” Pete stood so quickly that his folding chair
skidded back. A gust of wind blew against him, almost taking his hat. He
grabbed it before it could float away. Then he heard a very faint sound
before something sharp tore into his cheek just below his eye.
Something tugged his face forward. “Ahhhhh!”
“Pete!”
He dropped his pole as his hands flew to his face to find a fishing hook
stuck into his skin. The hook was attached to a fishing line, trying to pull
his skin off. He leaned forward, screaming. Shock and pain flooded through
him. His heart was pounding so fast he thought it might explode out of his
chest.
The line was so tight, Pete stepped forward again to try and ease the
pressure. There was only dark water below him, and he couldn’t stop
himself.
I’m going to go head first into the lake,
he thought
.
He felt his dad’s arm wrap around him to keep him from falling. “Hold
still!” His dad whipped out a small hunting knife and cut the line. The
pressure instantly released.
Pete hunched over in severe pain. Blood dripped into the water.
His dad held him. “It’s okay, buddy, I got you.” He pulled him back
away from the edge of the pier.
“I’m sorry!” someone called out. “Is he okay? The freaking wind blew
my cast toward you guys. I can’t believe it!”
“Pete, look at me. Come on, let’s see the damage.”
His dad leaned him back. Pete could barely see the hook sticking out of
his face. His eyes watered, snot ran from his nose, and tears mixed with the
blood dripping down his cheek.
Dad blew out a breath. “Oh yeah. Got you pretty good but you’ll be just
fine. We’re lucky it didn’t take out your eye.”

---

So I guess Pete had a bad day.
Pete and Dad came home and Mom rushed to Pete. His face was all
bandaged up.
Chuck’s eyes widened. Wow, he almost looked like Frankenstein! But
he’d have to save that nickname for another day.
“How did this happen?” Mom practically shrieked. “Oh, Pete, your poor
face.”
“Hey, there, Chuck, my boy!”
“Hi, Dad,” said Chuck, and gave a little wave. He remembered when he
was little and he used to climb his dad’s legs till he picked him up. Chuck
wondered when he stopped doing that.
Dad threw his hands in the air. “Now, Audrey, let’s stay calm. It was a
freak accident. A hook caught him in the cheek. It wasn’t too bad, so I was
able to patch him up myself.”
Her eyes widened. “Another freak accident, on the same day? How is
that even possible?”
Dad ran a hand down his beard. “Not sure. I think he needs to stay in
bed, get some rest. I’m sure these accidents will pass.”
“Yes, resting was what he was supposed to be doing,” Mom snapped. “It
was your bright idea to take him to the lake so he could get hooked like a
fish. Why weren’t you looking out for him?”
Dad whipped off his canvas hat, revealing his bald head. “Audrey, that’s
not fair. He was sitting 
right
next to me. It was a windy day. A freak thing
—”
Pete collapsed on the couch. He looked dazed as he watched Mom and
Dad go back and forth, talking about him. Chuck wasn’t used to seeing his
brother look so … vulnerable. He was bigger than him, mouthy, and always
annoying. Now, sitting on the couch, he seemed small and almost frail.
Chuck went and sat next to Pete, staring at his brother’s face. “You
look”—