"Prom Night...LAME!" was the Facebook status that Michael DeLorenzo posted as he shook his head. He said, "No you don't sound bitter; much." . Last year his then girlfriend Carrie not only dumped him during the prom, but she hooked up with his best friend Eric. Michael thought going to the Prom this year would've been like asking someone who just got divorced if they wanted to go to a wedding that weekend. His mom Ellen tried to convince him to go, but his father Robert said it was his decision. Besides his dad had his back on this one. Being the Sheriff he made sure Carrie, Eric, and their families had an interesting year when it came to traffic stops. Michael shook his head and said, "Only a few more months and I'm outta here anyway. A chance to start over and make my name on my terms. It's gonna be epic on so many levels."
Michael looked at his clock and said, "Why not? I got nothing else to do." Michael put on his brown leather jacket and headed downstairs. As he did he saw a very unusual sight. Robert was sitting in the living room in his recliner, in his Sheriff's uniform, with the police scanner on, and a shotgun in his lap. This stuck Michael as rather odd because his dad had been off work for over 4 hours, and one of the first things he did when he got home was get out of his uniform and into a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. That was usually followed by at least two beers with the Lakers on in H-D. Not to mention the shotgun was a little unnerving, because one thing Robert always tried to do was protect his family from anything having to do with his work. Robert also just kept staring at the family picture taken about two years ago.
Michael approached his dad and asked, "Dad are you all right?"
This snapped Robert back into reality as he replied, "What? Oh yeah Mike I'm fine. Just a little nervous about Prom tonight with the usual fun and games."
Michael looked at him as if he was very uncertain and asked as he sat on the couch across from him, "Fun and games that involve a shotgun?"
Robert replied, "Well last year Denny and his boys got pretty hammered. Which led to them spending a 10 days in lock up after they did some damage downtown. I don't want to be caught off guard again. Call it old lawman's intuition. So where are you off to? I'm guessing by your attire you're not going to the Prom."
Michael shook his head not entirely convinced by his father's story and said, "Nah I'm heading down to The Daily Beacon. I've made friends with one of the staff photographers Brent Parker, and he's working on a photo-archive project for the town's 250th celebration this fall. He said I could come down whenever I wanted and help out with it. I don't get paid for it, but it gives me some experience and it's pretty interesting learning about the town."
Robert nodded and said, "Good for you son. Good for you." Robert exhaled and then just stared at Michael for a moment. Michael asked, "Dad what's going on? There's something you're not telling me what is it?"
Robert shook his head said, "Nothing Michael nothing. I guess I'm just getting a little nostalgic and sentimental that you're leaving soon."
Michael nodded and replied, "Okay well I'm not out of here for another few months, but in the meantime I got some work to do." He stood up and asked, "What time tonight?"
Robert replied, "Oh um you're 18 I trust you. Don't worry about it." This really sent Michael's radar off Robert had always given him a curfew.
Michael started to walk away and Robert said, "Son.." He set the shotgun down and crossed over to Michael and embraced him. Michael wasn't sure what was going on, but he returned the embrace as Robert said, "I love you son. Your mother and I love you very much and we've always been proud of you."
Michael asked, "I love you too Dad. Ah has the draft been brought back and did you just get my notice?"
Robert chuckled and replied, "No son no no. Like I said just getting sentimental." He broke the embrace and said, "Okay get going and have fun." Michael walked away slowly and took one last look at his father who looked as though he was about to breakdown.
Michael began to make his way down the street when suddenly it felt and looked like Hell itself had broken through. Explosions everywhere, the rumble was almost enough to knock Michael down, flames shooting up all over looking like a Michael Bay film on steroids. Michael had no idea what to do, but every instinct told him to run. Michael wasn't the fastest person in down, but his adrenaline rush made him feel he could beat Uslan Bolt.
Just then a van came out of nowhere and fishtailed to a stop right in front of him. The drive shouted, "Get in here if you want to live!" The last time Michael heard that line was in "The Terminator, " and under the circumstances Michael wasn't about to argue with him or ask if he knew Arnold Schwarzenegger. Michael jumped in the van which already had several other teenagers. Michael started to get out his phone to call his dad when he felt something rip it from his hands. A voice said, "It can be tracked" and with that Michael's beloved I-Phone was broken.
The rest of what happened next was a blur to Michael until he along with everyone else was told to get out. As the van sped off Michael looked around and said, "Any minute now I expect to see Rod Serling stroll out and to hear 'The Twilight Zone' theme."
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