Flesh House; Beginning (chap 1)

"I don't know honey. Doesn't it seem a little small to you?"

"Yeah Sean, it's small. But it's a small town as well, and we aren't looking for size. Besides. This is the only house that has fallen into our price range. And I really like the location. It's an up and coming community, downtown is only a few blocks away, we're right on Main street, so we won't be secluded, and it appears to be a great place for kids. Please just give this a chance Sean. For me?"

"I will give it a chance, Lisa. I can see you have your heart set on this house. I just hope this new transition isn't tough for Alex. He hasn't seemed to be on board with this new town, new house phase."

"It's going to be tough for all of us. All things take some getting used to at first. Speaking of Alex, why don't you go see if you can drag him out of that car. I want to know what he thinks. And thank you for being on board with me, even if Alex isn't."

"You're very welcome dear. I shall return with the sulking one."

Sean went out of the house and got back into the car. Alex was in the back with his head down, staring intently at a crossword puzzle.

"Your mother wants you to come and look at the house. So how about you do what she wants. Don't you like seeing her happy?" Alex didn't appear to hear. He just kept his head down and would scribble in an answer here and there.

"Hey. Are you listening to me son?" Alex still didn't lift his head. Sean threw a penny at him.

"Ow!" Finally some sort of response out of him. It may not have been a word, but it was reassurance to Sean that his kid wasn't a zombie. Then he took out his ear pieces. "What the hell, dad? I'm busy here."

"I'm talking to you, Alex! Turn off that Ipod." Alex reluctantly did what he was told and he put the Ipod back in his bag.

"Alright, dad. Now that you've got my attention, what is so important?"

"Don't be a smart ass today, Alex. I said your mother wants you to come in and see the place. So let's go." Alex looked out his window and took a brief glance at the house.

"It looks ugly. And it looks to me that it's about to collapse. I don't see why mom is so enthusiastic about living here, anyway. We just moved to a town that has more people move away than people visit. We don't know anyone. There's no kids here my age. Who the hell am I supposed to talk to?"

"I'm going to tell you what your mother told me. Give it a chance. And you know, Alex. If you would get a job maybe you could earn enough money to get your own place that could be nicer than this. But you don't have a job. And you still live with us. So with that being said, stop sulking, quit with the attitude, and get your ass inside that house. I'll even come and open the door for you."

"No need, dad. I'll come and look."

"Good." As he watched Alex go into the house, Sean noticed what Alex was talking about. The house was ugly. It needed re-painting. Some windows were broken, siding was falling off, shingles were missing from the roof. It would be a big project, but he and Alex could get it knocked out. On his way in, he kind of felt a nervous tension, and he got chills for a second. But then it passed. He supposed maybe it was just anxiety or butterflies.