Drew rode home on his bike. It had been a wonderful day. No monster attacks. School and work had gone well. His solo had been like a cool breeze on a hot summer day; a nice relaxing cool breeze. He rode into the garage. After taking good care of his bike, he put the garage door down and went inside. He had started to the kitchen, when Dad stepped out of his office/bedroom. “Drew, I need to see you in here.” He had a serious look on his face that was also saddened. Drew nodded and followed him in, looking questioningly at Dria and Dani who popped up as they went in. They shrugged, they didn’t know. Dad gave them a harsh look. “No eavesdropping, now Dria, and Dani.” Dria and Dani gave him an innocent look. Dad closed the door behind them. Mom and Aunt were already seated with grave looks on their faces. Somehow, he knew this wasn’t about the motorcycles or about his schoolwork or job. This was something to with the behavior of his past, his behavior when Dria went missing. He’d always known it would come back to haunt him somehow.
“Drew, what do you remember about the last time Grandpa and Grams came to visit?” Drew was confused. What did that have do with his behavior? The last time they came to visit was when Drew and Dria were, were 10 and Dani was 3. They came all the time. And then, just about the time Dria vanished they stopped coming. He’d always wondered why they didn’t support the family when Dria went missing and Dani had to go with Aunt Dia, but never asked. He did so now. Mom and Aunt Dia shared a worried look. Dad just frowned. “Drew, Grams wants to visit now.” Drew broke into a smile. “That’s awesome. When? What about Grandpa?” Dad grimaced. “Drew, she’ll do it on one condition. You’re not here when she comes.” The words hit Drew like a bombshell. “What? Why? I don’t understand?” “You really don’t remember do you? You’ve blocked it from your memory.” “Remember, what? And does Grandpa say about this?” Everyone else in the room flinched. “Grandpa is dead. He’s been dead since you were 11.” Nooo. “Why didn’t you tell us?” Dad sighed. “Because you were there, Drew. And you may have caused it.” What…? Noo! “How…”
“Grandpa and Grams came for Christmas and to help support us, along with Aunt Dia, just after Dria vanished. Dani was still with us. The police were at the house. Someone mentioned that Dria may not ever return. And you lost it. Shortly after, Grandpa had a heart attack and died. The results of the autopsy were never exactly about what caused it. Grams left and never returned. She blamed you, and she wouldn’t let any of us come to the funeral. That’s why she’ll come, but on the condition that you aren’t here.” Drew felt like crying, but he held his composure. “So what are you going to do?” Drew imagined being shipped to a mental health facility for a week. “Well, we were going to leave that up to you and see what you wanted to do.” “And if I choose to go?” “Then Aunt Dia will take you somewhere for a week and you two can hang out together.” “No need, for that! I’ll find my own accommodations thank you very much!” He stormed out of the house, tears falling. Dria and Dani couldn’t stop him. Mom, Dad and Aunt Dia didn’t try. But this was a best friend moment.

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