(Note: All of the characters in this story are fictional, bearing no resemblance to anyone living or dead, and they are all at least 18 years of age.)
Tony leapt from his place of honor ranging rump between Delphia's cakes. Deftly, he dove into her closet. Delphia wrapped herself in her comforter, feigning sleep. They heard Thornton Gilbert, the family patriarch, stepping from his bedroom. Tony and Delphia cringed as their father's footsteps reverberated down the stairs. Tony peeked out to see if his mother followed. She did not. Tony took this opportunity to slip back into his own bedroom.
From his bed Tony heard muffled voices at the front door. Soon that door closed and he heard those same muffled voices downstairs. Whomever had come to the door was now inside. Tony couldn't contain his curiosity. He threw on a bathrobe, intending to investigate. It's not often that their doorbell rang at three o'clock in the morning.
"Julesy!!"
Tony used the affectionate moniker for his friend, all the while wondering why he'd showed up on their doorstep at this hour. Jules was in the process of explaining himself to Tony's dad.
"...and we got into a fight. And he put me out. Mr. Gilbert, I don't have anyplace to go. It's cold outside. I was wondering if I could stay here until the morning. I'll go to school and talk to my guidance counselor. I think I can handle things from there."
Dawn was five hours away. The school bus would come in three.
"Ummm, sure Jules, sure. D'you want me to call your dad and tell him where you are?"
"No, Mr. Gilbert. Please don't do that. I don't want him to know where I am. You understand, don't you?"
"Ummm....ummm. Yeh. I understand," Mr. Gilbert answered.
In reality, Thornton Gilbert knew he'd have to contact Jules' parents. It's what friends and neighbors did. It's what he'd want if ever he had to emancipate Tony. Thornton decided to make that call later in the morning.
"Come on in. Take your jacket off, Jules. Ummm, you don't mind sleeping on the couch, do you?"
Of course, Jules didn't mind. He'd spent a good chunk of his childhood playing on that couch in the Gilbert' family room, had fucked Delphia on it a time or two, too.
Mr. Gilbert went to get a thick comforter for Jules. He brought a towel and a washcloth, too.
