Spring Break. Alot had happened in the week before Howie's trip to Puerto Rico. Nick and Misty somewhat got back together, AJ himself apoligized to Kevin and Angel and bought them a big bouquet of flowers, and it seems that Brian made another trip to the doctor's and it was confirmed: he won't be making any trips out of town anytime soon. The day of the flight, AJ picked up Howie, Nick, and Tomi and drove down to the airport. They got there a hour before their flight.
Three of them went inside while AJ stayed outside and smoked a cigarette before the long flight. The other three sat inside and watched the moniters. When AJ finally came in, they headed toward the gate. After about thirty minutes of waiting at the gate, they saw Brian, Kevin, and Angel walking toward them. Howie stood up and asked Brian, "Hey what's up? What are you guys doing here?"
"Well, since we couldn't go, we thought the best thing we could do was see you guys off," said Brian.
"How long are you guys gonna be gone?" asked Kevin.
"For six days, five nights," replied Howie. Nick, AJ, and Tomi joined into the conversation.
"Hey Nick and AJ, are you two gonna survive the flight?" asked Brian. AJ and Nick were both terrified of flying.
"I don't like planes..." mumbled Nick.
"The first thing I'm doing is going to sleep and no one is gonna wake me up till we get there," said AJ.
"I hate planes..." mumbled Nick.
"Seems you got yourself a handful Howie," said Kevin, "Having to take care of all three of them for almost a week."
"Yeah I know," said Howie, "but it's all good."
"I hate planes..." mumbled Nick again.
"Shut up Nick," said Tomi.
Finally, the announcement of their flight boarding went over the intercom. "Well, see ya guys when you get back. Be sure to call us once you get there," said Kevin.
"Alright DAD," said Howie.
"I hate...." started Nick.
"SHUT UP!" yelled AJ and Tomi. Nick backed off and decided to be quiet.
"Anyways, I'll call you guys as soon as I get there alright?" said Howie.
"Have a safe trip you guys," said Brian.
"Have a nice trip kids," said Angel.
Once they got all the hugs over with, Howie, AJ, Nick, and Tomi boarded the plane. They sat near the back and AJ quickly took the window seat so he could lay his head against the window to sleep. Nick sat by him and Howie and Tomi sat in the seats across of them. AJ quickly put on his headphones, put his head against the window, and closed his eyes. Tomi handed Nick her headphones so he would hopefully calm down. The plane took off and Nick and AJ were fast asleep. Howie was looking out the window at the clouds. "Have you ever been to Puerto Rico?" asked Tomi suddenly.
Howie looked away from the window. "Yeah, I guess when I was really little my Mom took me," said Howie.
"You don't remember though?" asked Tomi.
"Yeah, so it's basically my first trip down there," said Howie.
"You nervous?" asked Tomi.
"No doubt," said Howie.
"What are you going to say to your dad when you first see him?" asked Tomi.
"I have no clue..never had a dad before," said Howie.
"Well, how about 'Hello'?" suggested Tomi, "That's how conversations usually start, unless we're talking about Brian, where a 'hello' is throwing a basketball at their heads so..."
Howie smiled, "Yeah...I guess that's a good start." After a pretty long flight, they finally landed in Puerto Rico. The bright sunlight hurt their eyes as they stepped out of the airport.
AJ accidently bumped into Howie and said, "Whoops sorry D."
"It's cool, but you sure you're awake?" asked Howie. Howie took out the piece of paper that had the address of his hotel on it and directed the others to a bus that would take them down to the hotel. The bus took them to a pretty nice hotel, not a Hilton but it was better than a motel. Howie checked in and they all headed up to their room. Howie openned the door and all four of them realized something: there were only two beds.
"Oh boy....two beds," said AJ.
Howie walked into the room and set his suitcase against the wall and put his backpack down. "I can sleep on the floor," he said.
Nick followed him in and set his stuff down and said, "Howie, it's your trip...you're not gonna sleep on the floor."
AJ and Tomi followed and put their stuff down and Tomi shut the door. "Now now, let's settle this is a civilized manner," said AJ.
"And what would that be?" asked Tomi.
"....Paper, Rocks, Scissors," answered AJ. Silence. "Well do you guys have any better ideas?!"
"Look, how bout this? I'll sleep on the couch, Howie get's his own bed and AJ and Nick share a bed," said Tomi.
"NO!" said Nick and AJ at the same time.
"Here, I got a better idea, Howie get's his own bed, I'll sleep on the couch, and Tomi and Nick share a bed," said AJ.
"I like that idea better," said Nick, "At least it's better than sleeping with AJ."
"I'll just sleep on the floor," said Tomi.
"I don't care how nice this hotel is, you're not sleeping on the floor," said Howie.
Tomi grumbled and just started to unpack her bags. "And if Nick tries anything, just hollar," said Howie jokingly.
"Like she'll need our help D," said AJ. Tomi glared at him and he shut up.
They each picked a drawer in the dresser. After they finished unpacking everything they called up Kevin and Brian and told them breifly what was up. After they hung up, Nick asked, "So when are you going to go see your dad?"
"Well first, I'm gonna get some sleep," said Howie, "Unlike some of you, I didn't get a wink of sleep on the plane."
"...Alright, if you say so," said AJ, "Well, I'm a bit hungry, gonna go look for a McDonalds. Nick, Tomi come with me. You want somethin D?"
"Nah," said Howie, sitting on his bed.
"Aight, talk to you later," said AJ.
"Don't get lost," said Howie.
"Oh we won't," said AJ, shutting the door.
"Alright, what are you up to AJ?" asked Tomi, as they walked away from the room.
"Moi? Up to something? Never," said AJ.
"Cut the crap AJ, what's up?" asked Tomi.
AJ turned around and pulled out a small piece of paper and showed it to Tomi, "Looky what I got," he said. Tomi studied the handwriting. It was Howie's and the paper had his dad's address on it.
"How'd you get that?" asked Tomi.
"The same way I got this," said AJ, holding up Nick's wallet. Nick quickly checked his pocket.
"HEY!" said Nick, snatching his wallet back from AJ.
"So what are we going to do?" asked Tomi.
"We, are gonna go pay Howie's pop a visit. Lord knows D's gonna take forever to go himself," said AJ.
"...You do have a point," said Tomi.
"So come on, let's go," said AJ.
"Exactly how are we going to start looking?" asked Nick.
AJ pulled out a map, "Hey look, what do you know, he's not as stupid as he looks," said Tomi, starting to walk a little faster.
"Yeah, I'm not as stupid as I...." said AJ, thinking for a moment, "Hey!" Tomi started to run. "Come back here! I'll show you stupid!" AJ ran after Tomi and Nick followed. The three got onto a bus and got off at a location close to the address on the paper. They walked for about a mile and came upon a small white house. AJ pulled out the little piece of paper again. "This is it."
"So exactly how are we going to do this?" asked Nick, "It's not like he's gonna know who we are."
"I'll handle it," said AJ. He boldly went up to the door and knocked on it. A man in his forties answered the door.
He looked at the three and then asked, "What can I do for you kids?"
"Uh...are you Mr. Dorough?" asked AJ.
"Yes, but I'm not interested in buying anything," he said, about to shut the door.
"Do you have a son named Howard?" Tomi asked quickly.
Mr. Dorough paused and turned around. "How did you know that?" he asked.
"We're his friends. We came here with him looking for you," said Nick.
"Howard's here? Where is he?!" asked Mr. Dorough.
"He's back at the hotel," said AJ.
"Take me to him," said Mr. Dorough.
"Hold up dude. We wanted to have a little chat with you first," said AJ.
"...Come in," said Mr. Dorough.
Meanwhile, back at the hotel, Howie woke up from his nap and realized they weren't back yet. He stretched out his arms and stood up. He went to the mirror and combed his hair into a ponytail. He then checked his pocket for something but he couldn't find it. He patted himself down and realized he still couldn't find it. He then recalled AJ bumping into him at the airport. Howie got on the phone and called his mother and asked for the address and ran out of the room. He got to the house about 45 minutes later and knocked on the door. Tomi opened the door and seemed to be surprised to see Howie there. Howie himself wasn't happy to see her there and it showed. "Howie...I..." said Tomi.
"Is he in there?" asked Howie.
"...See for yourself," said Tomi. Howie lightly pushed Tomi out of the way. He stormed into the room they were in. He saw AJ, Nick, and a man in his forties.
"Hey D, you finally decided to show up," said AJ. Howie went up to AJ and punched him in the face. Tomi grabbed AJ before he could react and Nick held Howie back. Nick and Tomi were scared to death. They had NEVER seen Howie mad never the less hit someone before. AJ, obviously pissed off shouted, "What the hell was that for?!"
"It's for getting into other people's businesses!" shouted Howie.
AJ tried to grab Howie but Tomi held him back. "He was only trying to help Howie!" said Tomi.
"Outside, right now!" said Howie, shaking Nick off of him and walking out. AJ shook Tomi off and eagerly followed. Nick ran after the two. Mr. Dorough just watched helplessly.
"I'm sorry about all of this," said Tomi, running after all of them.
Outside, Howie and AJ were arguing. Nick tried to step in but he couldn't. The arguing was too fierce. He was actually a bit scared and didn't know what to do. It wasn't often the boys fought and if they did, it was never Howie. It was usually Brian and AJ, but never Howie. Howie was the one to break up the fights..not start them.
"What the hell is your problem?!" asked AJ.
"My problem is that you shouldn't have done this," said Howie.
"Done what? We just wanted to see what your dad was like!" said AJ.
"Exactly, he's MY father. I have to deal with him!" said Howie.
Tomi stepped out. "I just thought it'd be nice for one of us to know our fathers. You had a chance and you weren't even sure if you wanted to see him or not!" said AJ.
"Yeah? Then go look for your own father first!" said Howie.
"I would if I knew where the hell he was! You're not the only one without a father!" said AJ, walking off.
"AJ!!" said Tomi, running after AJ.
"Shi...!!" said Howie, realizing he just made his problems worse.
"Howard..." said a voice behind him. He turned around. It was his father. "Can we talk?" Howie stepped into the house and Nick followed. "Howie..."
"Howard," corrected Howie.
"Howard...where can I begin?" asked Mr. Dorough.
"How about why you left me, Mom and Pollyanna?" asked Howie.
"Your Mother and I had our differences," explained Mr. Dorough, "it just didn't work out between us."
"Then why didn't call me or send me a card?! After eighteen years of nothing, you decide you want to be in my life. You know what I was doing those eighteen years? Wishing every single day I'd be able to hear your voice, that you'd send a card, that you'd even maybe visit! But as I got older, I woke up to reality and realized that you'd probably never contact me. So why after eighteen years did you finally decide to contact me?" asked Howie, on the verge of tears of rage.
"I didn't want you to see me till my life was fixed," said Mr. Dorough.
"Your life? What about MY life? I had to go eighteen years without a father! You could have at least called or sent a card! I didn't even know for sure if I had a father or not! If he was dead or alive!" said Howie, in rage.
"I know....and I'm sorry about that. That's why I called you here," said Mr. Dorough.
"Yeah well, maybe it's too late," said Howie, walking away.
"Howard..." said Mr. Dorough, but Howie left.
"....We'll bring him back Mr. Dorough," said Nick.
"Thanks Nick, but it's his decision and he has every right to be mad at me. He can come back when he wants to come back," said Mr. Dorough. Nick felt helpless. He also left and followed Howie. He tried to talk to him but he was still too scared and didn't know what to say to him so he just followed him all the way back to the hotel silently. Once they got back, AJ was outside smoking a cigarette. Neither AJ or Howie said a word to each other and Howie went into the room.
Nick felt even more helpless. "AJ..." he said.
"What?" snapped AJ.
Nick slightly jumped and said, "..Nothin." as he went into the room. Nick rushed over to Tomi and whispered, "What are we gonna do?"
"I don't know," she whispered back, "Howie, me and Nick are gonna go get us something to eat okay? And this time I mean it because I'm really hungry. We'll be back in a few minutes."
"Fine with me," said Howie simply.
Tomi and Nick rushed out of the room and past AJ without saying anything. They went downstairs and Tomi said, "I'm gonna call Kevin. I don't know what to do... Things are getting worse by the minute."
"Alright," said Nick. They went to the payphone and Tomi got her calling card out and called Kevin's number.
"Hello?" answered Kevin.
"Kev, this is Tomi," said Tomi.
"Hey Tomi, how's everything in Puerto Rico?" he asked.
"Things could be ALOT better," replied Tomi.
"Why, what's up?" asked Kevin.
Tomi explained the whole situation to Kevin. "So me and Nick are stuck in the middle and have no clue what to do," said Tomi.
"Hmmmm, it's not like Howie to say that or do that," said Kevin, "The best thing you guys can do is let those two work it out. Knowing Howie, he'll work it out with AJ, and with his father later."
"...I guess you're right Kev. But it just scared us because we've never seen Howie like that," said Tomi.
"I can imagine. I can't see Howie doing that or saying that either," said Kevin.
"Yeah well, it did happen. Anyways, thanks alot Kev. We'll talk to you later okay? Oh yeah, here's the phone number to our room," said Tomi, giving Kevin the phone number, "Talk to you later."
"What did he say?" asked Nick.
"He said just let those two work it out. Knowing Howie, he'll know what's right." said Tomi, "Now come on, let's go get the food."
Dinner was a very silent one. Tomi and Nick kept looking at each other and urging each other to try to start a conversation but none came up. Howie sat oh his bed while AJ sat on the couch, silently. Finally, Nick broke out and said, "Come on you guys!! Please say something?!" But still nothing. "You guys can't let all those years of being best friends go down the drain! Especially over a little arguement." AJ stood up and left the room.
"Howie! Come on!" said Tomi. Howie stood up and also left the room.
"Well this is great," said Nick.
"It just might be," said Tomi.
"What?!" asked Nick.
"They're both outside. They'll talk...I hope," said Tomi.
Outside, AJ was smoking again and leaning against the railing. Howie leaned against the wall. Silence. All that could be heard was the cool night breeze passing by. Finally, Howie said, "You know, that's gonna kill you someday."
AJ breathed out another puff and then replied, "Yeah well I'm gonna die someday anyways."
"And you want to die smoking?" asked Howie.
AJ flicked the cigarette and replied, "Good as any other way of dying isn't it?"
"No it's not," said Howie, "Anyways, I'm not going to argue about something this stupid. I want to apoligize for hitting you and mentioning your dad earlier. I know you were only trying to help."
"It's cool D, don't sweat it. Never knew you could hit like that though. It worked pretty well. Still trying to put my jaw back into place," said AJ with a smile.
Howie finally smiled as well, "Sorry bout that," he said.
"It's cool...but just do me one favor," said AJ.
"What's that?" asked Howie.
"Talk to the man. He's meaning to make up for the lost time. You got a chance I'm probably never gonna get. Take the chance," said AJ.
Howie thought for a moment. "I guess you're right. I'll go talk to him tomorrow, this time, I'll actually talk to him," said Howie.
"Very good, now come on, let's go back in. It's getting cold and I think we scared those two enough," said AJ, "But I want to scare them even more." An evil grin appeared on his face. They walked into the hotel room looking mad still and not saying one word.
Of course Tomi and Nick were scared to death. Finally Tomi said, "Come on you guys, TALK!" AJ burst out laughing. Tomi and Nick were even more confused. "What's so funny?"
"We're just playin. Everything's fine," said AJ.
Tomi breathed a sigh of relief and then said, "Good, now that everything's fine between you two, WE'VE got to work something out Alexander James McLean," said Tomi, cracking her knuckles.
"Uh oh, she's using full names, she's pissed," said Howie.
"Damn straight I'm pissed. "Just playin"? I'll show you just playin, come here AJ," said Tomi, going after AJ.
"Okay I might be dumb but I'm not stupid...wait...doh never mind!!" said AJ, running out of the hotel room.
"You guys keep it down, we're gonna get into trouble!" said Nick.
The next morning, Howie went down to his father's house by himself and knocked on the door. Mr. Dorough answered the door. "Hi...can I come in?" asked Howie.
"Of course!" said Mr. Dorough, letting him in. They walked into the living room and he said, "Have a seat Howard."
"....It's Howie," said Howie.
Mr. Dorough smiled, "Howie."
"I'm sorry about yesterday," said Howie.
"I'm the one that should apoligize. You had every right to say what you did to me," said Mr. Dorough.
So Howie and Mr. Dorough talked for hours. Howie told him about his whole life: his life in school, his life with the family, and his life with his friends. He told him about the basketball games and all the fun times they had together. By the end of Howie's conversation, it seemed like Mr. Dorough was always part of his life. At about 8PM, Howie told his father that he should probably head back to the hotel because his friends would be worried. So Mr. Dorough took him to his hotel with his car and then they actually hugged and left on good terms. Howie promised to come visit with his friends tomorrow. So the next day, Howie, Nick, AJ and Tomi spent the whole day at Mr. Dorough's house and also the next day. Howie seemed happier than ever, making AJ, Nick, and Tomi even more happier. What they didn't know, was that their happiness was very soon going to be crushed...
On the fifth day since Howie had left, Kevin was busy in the apartment cleaning. Angel was going to come over and help clean a little bit and then they were going out for dinner. Brian was out playing basketball as usual. Angel seemed to be running a little late but Kevin didn't think anything of it. But then the phone rang. "Hello?" Kevin answered. No answer. "Hello?" Kevin repeated.
"....Is this Kevin? Kevin Richardson?" asked a woman's voice. The voice was shaky and she seemed to be a little distressed.
"Yes it is, may I ask who's calling?" asked Kevin.
"...This is Angel's mother," replied the voice.
"Hi Mrs. Mitchell, or should I say Mom?" asked Kevin in his usual cheery tone. But Mrs. Mitchell didn't share the same tone.
"....Something happened to Angel," she said.
Kevin froze. "Is she alright? What happened??" he asked becoming a bit frantic.
There was no answer for a moment, then finally, "She was in a car accident...." replied Mrs. Mitchell.
Kevin felt a cold shiver run through his whole body paralyzing him. "...Is she alright?" he managed to say.
Mrs. Mitchell started to break down on the phone, "....She's dead..." she said in a sobbing voice.
Kevin felt his whole world fall apart. He dropped the phone and fell to his knees, still hearing Mrs. Mitchell's sobbing voice on the phone...