Universe: Grove Academy
Character: Gerald Campbell II
...........
"... in three years. You would think he would go out on a date once in a while."
Gerald quietly slipped his hand down and hit the pause button on his iPod. Judy was talking to Dad about him again. He kept his eyes firmly on the book in his hands and his ears tuned to the harsh murmur of Judy in the next room.
"I'm just saying you should talk to the boy, Gerry. It isn't right. He spends all that time alone..."
His father's voice, deeper and louder, joined the conversation. "Judy, Judy... he's fine. All his teachers say that he doesn't seem to have any trouble fitting in. He's not being bullied. He's just quiet, that's all. Sooner or later, he'll find a girl that strikes his fancy. I wouldn't push it, if I were you."
From his spot nestled on the couch, Gerald could have rolled his eyes. Not that again. For the most part, Judy left him alone, but the one issue she couldn't seem to let go of was his love life. Or his lack thereof. Christ, he was only seventeen. It wasn't like he was going to settle down and start a family any time soon, and if that wasn't the goal, then what was the point? As far as he was concerned, he wouldn't date until he was thirty, then have Judy set him up with some rich friend's daughter. One step shy of an arranged marriage, and he wouldn't even let out a whimper of protest. If only the woman would leave him alone for the time being! At least his father seemed to have a grip on reality. Frozen in place, he waited to hear her reply.
There was the whisper of a heavy sigh. "I still say it isn't right. He should be, I don't know, going to the movies... the mall... something a normal teenager would do!"
"Gerald is not a normal teenager." His father's voice was louder now, and there was a bit of stubborn finality creeping into his tone. "He's well grounded, respectful, and intelligent. He's got a good head on his shoulders. You should be grateful he isn't out causing trouble... like Bill's boy!"
Ah, there it was. Gerald Senior's classic defense: It could be worse; he could be like his cousin Paul, the drug addict.
"Don't bring that hooligan into it," Judy hissed. Then, she seemed to give in. "I know. I know he's a good boy. I just wish he were a bit more outgoing, that's all. I worry."
His father let out a nearly-silent huff of laughter. "Well, don't. Gerald is Gerald, and no amount of wishing is going to change him. He's going to grow up to be a fine man, Judy. Just you wait."
The silence grew, and Gerald imagined the two of them were embracing, satisfied that he wasn't headed for sociopathy. Eventually, there was faint shuffling as they moved into another room, away from him. When he was certain they couldn't hear him, he let out a soft sigh of relief. Disaster averted yet again. Judy was going to convince his father to have that conversation with him one day. If the idea weren't so horrifying, Gerald would almost want to be there.
...........
A few hours later, he crept through the foyer, purposely crossing the doorway to the living room, where Judy and Dad were watching the game.
"Hey, sport! Where're you going?" his dad called when he'd been spotted.
"The mall," he mumbled, pausing for a moment and keeping his face a practiced blank.
It was difficult fighting to keep the smirk off his face at Judy's thunderstruck expression.
...........
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