Moving Out Chapter 2

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This is a continuation of the “Moving In with Dad” series.  The characters will be used and references to the other long series.

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After taking a hard slap across the face from my drunken boyfriend Carter and locking the bedroom, I found my phone quickly and called Castro, a neighbor, for his help.  Within a few minutes, I heard him there trying to calm a strong Carter down.  I sat on our bed shaking in fear and nervousness with my face in my hands and weeping.  This wasn’t the first or second time he had done that.  The last time he did it, two weeks ago, I promised it would be the last but his gentle persuasion kept me there.  The realization hit me that after 4 years, our relationship was at its bittersweet end.  It had been on the downhill slide for the past 4 months with our constant bickering.  The only thing that kept me there was my pity over his situation and our always hot sex.

I got up and listened through the door.  The next thing I knew I heard two deep husky voices blending in.  There was a knock at my bedroom door.  I slowly up it to find a uniformed police officer standing at the door.

“Sir, did he hit you?” the officer asked firmly and to the point.

“Yes sir, he did,” I replied sadly.

“Sir, we can take him down if you are willing to press charges,” the officer stated.

I thought about it and saw Carter now under control by Castro.  “This time I won’t.”

“Fine.  There’s little else we can do for now if you aren’t willing to press charges at this time.  If this happens again, the apartment manager has the authority to evict you and we will arrest him on various charges,” the officer stated.

The policemen finished up and headed out the door.  This is exactly what I didn’t want but maybe Carter got the message loud and clear.  Castro stayed with us while Carter sat silently on the couch. 

“Thanks Castro. I owe you one,” I said with him leaving.

“Just call me any time,” Castro shut the door behind him.

I wanted to jump down Carter’s throat so badly but knew it would do little good at the time.  I lifted him off the couch and hauled his drunken ass to bed.  He kissed me to try and make up.  Within a few minutes, he was out cold.  I quietly packed my suitcases before going to bed.  I tossed and turned all night with very little sleep over my decision. My mind raced over the past 4 years of great and wonderful memories Carter and I shared together.  Now he had gone too far and there was little I could do or say to stop his ever-growing problem.  I needed and wanted out of this down-hill sliding relationship. 

I just looked at Carter and wondered what triggered his sudden urge to begin drinking heavily.  Genetics played a big part but he knew he had a problem.  It started so innocently with him having a few drinks here and there.  Before I could stop him, it had escalated and spiraled out of control.  I loved him so much but hated watching him destroyed his life.

The next morning, Sunday at 7, I quietly showered and dressed.  I kissed his forehead while Carter was still sound asleep and sleeping off his night.  I quickly scribbled down a sincere good-bye note with the promise to get my things later.   I headed out the door with my suitcases with tears in my eyes and a knot in my stomach.   I stopped for a bite to eat at a noisy breakfast place to get my thoughts together and sort things out while the customers came and went. 

At 8:15, I drove in Dad’s driveway and quietly knocked even though I still had keys.  He came to the door in shorts and a t-shirt.  The second he opened the door, my emotions took over.  He grabbed me and gave me a big fatherly hug while wiping the tears from my eyes as only a loving, caring father could do.

“I tried… Dad,” I sobbed.

“Xavier, what happened?” Dad asked while escorting me in.

“It’s over Dad!  He slapped… for the last time.  I just can’t handle… it anymore.  I tried my best… to look past it and just can’t any more,” I continued to sob. “Dad… I left him for good.”

“I know son.  I know this is so hard,” Dad patted and comforted me. “You are too good of a person to put up with any abuse of any kind.  Is this the first time?”

“No Dad! The third!” I cried in sorrow and shame that I had allowed this abuse of me and the bottle to continue.

“I understand,” Dad continued to comfort me.

I gathered my composure and recanted the events along with the stories of Carter’s horrific drinking that had wrecked our relationship.  Dad listened quietly to me vent and let out pent up frustrations over my predicament.

“Your room is there waiting on you,” Dad smiled. “I actually am glad to have you back.  I really have missed you being around with Denise and now Philip gone.  I know it’s not the best circumstance for you but knowing you as I do Xavier, you’ll come out shining like new in the end.”

I could always count on Dad and appreciated now more than ever his understanding.  I knew I was lucky to have such a wonderful father in my life who never questioned my sexuality.  His love for me was always there no matter what I did or my troubles.  

I went to my car and gathered my suitcases.  I carried them to my room which was just as I had left it many years ago.  I hated to do it but I called Carter’s mom, Melissa, to inform her of my decision to leave Carter.  She fully understood and thanked me for all I tried to do with a promise to head directly over to the apartment to be with Carter just in case he went crazy.

I lay on my old bed and just stared at the ceiling for some time while my mind was racing at warp speed.  Before I knew it, my eyes were shut tight and sound asleep.  My sleep was interrupted by a call on my cell phone.  Seeing it was Carter, I ignored it and was not in the mood at the time to say anything much less hear him plead and beg for my return.  I threw on a bikini and headed out to catch some rays at the pool.

“Was that Carter calling?” Dad asked.

“Yeah, I’ll talk to him when I am ready,” I stated strongly with my shades on my head.

“Xavier, you’re going to have to do something if nothing else to get the rest of your things.  Maybe you and I can go over there later,” Dad said.

“Maybe tomorrow at the very earliest.  I don’t feel like seeing him right now,” I said and headed out to the pool to be alone for a while and work on my tan.  I stretched my body out on a lounger and put my glasses down.  It actually felt like home to be out by the pool and taking in the quietness and serenity of the calm pool area.  Before too long, Dad came out in his suit and joined me.  Still at 46, he had a nice body though now somewhat hairy and graying.  He respected my silence and just lay there quietly. 

I broke the silence, “Dad, this breakup is worse than Mitch’s.  That felt almost mutual in a way.  I’m sure divorcing is a lot worse with children involved.”

“Xavier, having you and Taylor made divorcing your mother extremely hard.  I empathize with you and know you must be heartbroken after what, 4 years.”

“Yeah, I honestly thought Carter had his demon licked.  I should have put my foot down when he started drinking but thought he had sense enough to handle it.”

“Alcohol has been the ruin of a lot of good and decent people.  Carter is another causality to its overwhelming grip.  It is in a way like Denise’s cancer.  It stays dormant and then when you least expect it, it rears its ugly head and destroys people.”

“Dad, the sad part is Denise had no control over her situation where I believe Carter did.”

“There are different thoughts on that, Xavier.  It is classified as a disease.  This was Melissa’s biggest fear coming to life.”

“Yeah mine too,” I said.  I headed to cool off in the pool with Dad right behind me.  We both swam a little bit before heading in.  

“Xavier, how about a late lunch just me and you at a nice place?” Dad asked.

“That’s sounds great, Dad,” I replied.  I could sense already he was so happy to have me back home though not under the best of circumstances. 

After a great meal, Dad and I hung out together and watched television.  I ignored Carter’s repeated calls for the time being.  After Dad headed to bed, I returned Carter’s call but could tell by his voice he was in no condition to discuss much.  I kept it brief and told him I would be by soon to get the rest of my belongings.

After a horrible weekend, I called Mom on my way to work to fill her in so she would know.  She understood the situation and hated it for me.  We talked until I pulled in the parking lot at work.  It was just a usual busy day with me trying my best to focus on my assigned project at hand.

On the way home from work, I desperately needed more work clothes more than any thing.  I pulled up at the apartment and saw Carter was there.  I knocked on the door a few times before Carter came to the door in his shorts.

“It is so good to see you Xavier,” Carter hugged me.

“Good to see you too.  I need more work clothes and I’ll be out of your hair,” I said just looking straight ahead.

“So it’s over just like that,” Carter followed me every step of the way.

“Yeah, I told you the last time you slapped and the time before that,” I started pulling out clothes.

“Fuck, you’re damn cold hearted,” Carter said on the bed watching me.

I spun quickly around, “Cold hearted would have been leaving the first and second time you did it.”

“I was fucking drunk! I never laid a hand on you sober!”

“That’s your problem!” I shouted.

“Fuck you Xavier.  You were looking for an excuse to run back to Daddy!” Carter said.

I was pissed as hell then and kept pulling out clothes.  Biting my lip, I emptied my drawers and began carrying my things to my car.  Carter just sat there and stewed while I came and went.  When I returned from my first trip, my clothes were thrown all over the room.

“I see the fucking thanks I get here!” I shouted in his face.

“Yeah you fuckin prima donna asshole!  Thanks for nothing!” Carter shouted with his fist drawn tight and the veins in his neck bulging.

“Just let me get my shit, alright,” I said shaking and gathered what I could before this escalated to something I didn’t want or need at the time.  I slammed the door as hard as possible and was steamed about as much as I had ever been. 

Heading home, I grabbed a coffee to calm my nerves and get under control.  I was finally able to breath after the tense encounter.  I didn’t expect it to be easy and it wasn’t.

Dad was home when I arrived at the house.  I smiled seeing Philip’s tricked out car sitting in the drive. 

“Dude, I heard!” Philip said, looking cute as ever with shorts and a t-shirt that barely came to his waist.

“It’s really over now.  We almost threw down today when I stopped by to get some things,” I said and dropped a few things down.

“Xavier, was it that bad?” Dad asked.

“Dad, I got so mad I was shaking,” I replied.  “It started out just fine.  When I returned for a second load, he threw my shit around the room.”

“What a punk ass bitch!” Philip exclaimed with his long arms.

“Yeah Philip, I was thinking even worse!” Dad chimed in.  “Get your things and then the three of us will go over to get everything else.  If he damages anything, I’m sure Melissa will reimburse you for it.”

“Okay,” I said.  They helped me clear out my car before taking Dad’s large SUV to retrieve the remainder of my belongings.  Carter was surprised to see me again and tried to act cool in front of Dad and Philip.  I picked out the things that were mine including the flat screen in the bedroom.  Carter sat stoically while we hauled things back and forth.  The four of us said very little to keep peace.  Dad’s SUV was packed to the top.

“So this is it?” Carter asked at the end after I was ready to go.

“Yeah, this is,” I replied.

“Gary, Philip, I want to speak to Xavier in private,” Carter said.  Both looked at him.  “I promise not to touch him.”

Dad and Philip left but were just outside the door.  “Make it quick,” I said with a cold face.

“Xavier, I love you and still do.  If I can quit drinking again, will you consider taking me back?” Carter asked.

“Carter, I love you too, I think.  I’ll consider it but won’t make any promises,” I replied.

Carter smiled, “Thanks for being a great friend and even better lover. It was truly the best 4 years of my life. I hate to see it like this though but thanks!”

Tears came to my eyes for I saw he was quite sincere and realized for now this was over, “Thank you too.”

“Xavier, I’ll do my best to win back the greatest guy I’ve met.”

“I just hope you do for you before it overtakes and rules your life, Carter.  You have a lot of things going for you.”

We hugged affectionately.  He stood quietly while I handed him back my apartment key.  I left with a quick wave and found Dad and Philip waiting patiently outside.

“How’d it go?” Dad asked.

“Good.  He says he’ll try to stop drinking.  We’ll see how long that lasts this time,” I said, heading to the SUV.  I did have to laugh seeing Philip’s lanky frame crammed in the back seat with my things almost covering him.

After we all unloaded my things, Philip headed out and back to his girlfriend’s place.  “Dad, what was Philip doing here?”

“He wanted some money from me,” Dad replied.

I shook my head and knew Dad forked it over even though Philip wasn’t his biological son.  “What about Denise’s life insurance policy?” I asked.

“Xavier, I was the beneficiary on it.  I feel kind of bad about it now since he’s practically out on his own.  I am holding the funds in a CD and will give it to Xavier when he won’t go blow it all.”

“That’ll be in 10 years or more,” I laughed.

“I was thinking when he was 40,” Dad laughed as well.

“Dad, here again, I really don’t know what I do without you,” I said in the most appreciative tone I knew.

“Xavier, I’m happy to have you back,” Dad smiled.

The next few days were an adjustment for both me and Dad.  We needed to readjust again to each other’s likes and dislikes.  Our work schedule was almost identical so we knew when the other should be home or not.

Friday at work, I got a call from Melissa wanting to talk.  So after work, I headed to Carter’s old house and found his mom waiting for me.

“Thanks for coming Xavier,” Melissa said showing me in to the recently remodeled home.

“No problem,” I replied and followed her to the living room. 

“Xavier, I just wanted to say face-to-face how much I do appreciate every thing you did for Carter. I know the last few months weren’t that easy for you. I realize and actually know what you were going through,” she said.

“I really do appreciate that. It wasn’t an easy thing form me to do, leaving him but Melissa, it was something that needed to be done before I either got hurt seriously or went crazy.”

She began talking on and on with barely taking a breath between sentences.  I think your main goal was to express her concern for Carter.  I mostly listened and interjected when asked.  I didn’t tell her anything she didn’t already know at the time. 

“Xavier, I got a call after I talked to you from Carter’s boss.  He’s been drinking at lunch now and is close to be let go,” she told me.

“I’m sorry to hear that.  He expressed to me a desire to quit with us possibly getting back together,” I said.

“I know he told me the same thing.  I’m really worried for him now.  I called him last night and he could barely put two sentences together,” she said.

“I was afraid of that.”

“I was too.  I hope he bottoms out sooner than later to realize what he is doing to himself.”

“Melissa, I wish I could help but I’m at my wit’s end and tried everything I knew to make him stop.  I thought maybe me leaving would cause him to stop.”

“Xavier, you didn’t hear this from me, but he’s already found another guy.”

I dropped my head.  “Oh well, thanks for telling me though.  I’ll just move on and find someone else.”

“Xavier, Carter is throwing away the best thing ever to come his way.  He did love you to death but now has found another love in the bottle.  I’m sure the guys will just come and go.  Xavier, you deserve better now.  I know you find the perfect guy and be just as happy as you were with Carter.”

“I hope so.  Sober he is one great person and so fun to be around.  It’s sad to see someone just drinking their life away.”

“I’ve seen before and looks like history does repeat itself,” Melissa said so sadly.

I stood to leave and embraced Melissa.  She held on to me tightly and hated letting me go.  “Stay in touch,” I said at the doorway.

“I will.  You take care of yourself, Xavier.  Thanks again for taking the time to stop by!” Melissa said to me walking towards my car.

It was dishearting to hear Carter’s mom talk so sadly and concerned for him.  My heart went out to her for I knew it would take something now drastic to turn Carter around.  I could now stop worrying about us and move on with my life.

TO BE CONTINUED…

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