The Evil Inside (book 4 of Genesis 64)

Chapter 5 - the Fortress house

The Fortress house, September 2012

Jonah, Michael, and Staci are discussing the new addition and new students

"Dad, I can't wait for you to see all the changes at the school," Michael said, excitedly.

"Yes, dear," Staci said to Jonah. "I think even you'd be impressed."

"Yes?" Jonah asks.

"Yea, they finished with the last classroom on the 2nd floor - the Chemistry lab, and should be finished with the gym for basketball season!" Michael excitedly says.

"Impressive," replies Jonah.

"All these years of renting a gym, I can't wait to play in our own gym and have our own locker-room!" says Michael.

Jonah, trying to sound cool, says, "That'll be 'cool beans' eh?"

Michael shakes his head at his Dad and replies, "No, don't do that."

Jonah chuckles then turns to Staci and asks, "So, I hear Mrs. Gordon retired?"

"Yes, she and Bernard are off to Haiti to run an orphanage there," Staci replies.

Jonah smiles and says, "Good for them! So, who's the new principal?"

"Lynda Grant," Staci answers.

"Ah, yes! Hailey's mom. Good choice," approves Jonah.

"She's going to coach both the girl's teams...," Staci says.

"...And I hear she wants to turn her fencing club into a full sport team," Michael adds.

Jonah, again tries to sound cool, replies, "Coolio."

Michael frowns at Jonah and replies, "No, don't say that."

Jonah asks Michael, "So, are you going to do anything new this year? Maybe run for student government? Class president? Join the fencing team?"

Michael, in a flat tone, replies, "Naa..."

"Why not, it's your last year and...," Jonah starts to say.

"Because I don't want to!" Michael yells and stomps out of the room.

Jonah starts to go after him, but Staci looks him off with a glance. "Give him a few minutes, dear, before you go after him," she says. Jonah hugs his wife from behind as she stands at the sink, and kisses her neck.

"You're such a great wife and mom - how did I ever find you?" he asks.

Jonah finds Michael sitting on the steps of the house's side entrance and sits down next to him. "So, what's going on" he asks.

"It... It's just that you're never here anymore," Michael explains. "You missed most of my soccer and basketball games last year."

"I saw those two goals you scored...," Jonah starts to say.

"But, I scored fifteen goals and was the team's second leading scorer!" Michael bursts out. "We made it to the championship game, which you also missed!"

"I... I'm sorry," Jonah says quietly.

"It's just not fair!" Michael responds.