Dave Casler
PO Box 98
Ridgway, Colorado 81432
Young Adult Novels by Dave Casler...
I've been told by publisher after publisher that there's no market for Young Adult novels. I think they're wrong! So I'm putting my novels on-line for you. Forget the publisher! Read to your heart's content--it's free! And, I'd like to hear from you, too! Contact Page.
You're reading About Phillip. Be sure to check out About Dan here.
Phillip is a computer nerd who suddenly discovers a liking for track. Everything would be fine except for his father.
About Series Home
About the About Series
Index to All Chapters
Here are all the chapters, disguised as asterisks. Hover your mouse over an asterisk to see the title of the chapter. Click on the asterisk to go straight to that chapter.
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(About Phillip Home) (Last) (Next)
Not Going Home
Dan poked his head in the door. "Phillip, you’re dad’s ready to go. He told me to come get you."
"’K, tell him just a minute."
"Better not keep him waiting. I know your dad."
"Everyone knows my dad," replied Phillip. "Tell him just a minute."
Dan ducked out after giving the room a once-over. Phillip turned back to the computer screen. "So if I grab the token from the ogre, what happens then?"
Grant moved the mouse. "The vampire comes …"
"Phillip, time to go!" It was Martin. "Whoa, what a room!"
"Martin! Who invited you in here?" asked Phillip.
"Gotta go, big brother. Dad’s waiting."
Phillip started to get up but stopped. He sat back down; his mind aglow with a sudden thought. He spoke urgently to Grant. "Can I stay here tonight?"
"Huh?" said Martin and Grant together.
"No, really. Can I stay here tonight?"
"Where? Here in my room? There’s no place for you to sleep," replied Grant.
"No, I can sleep on the floor. I don’t care. Just tell me I’m staying here tonight."
"Ok, you’re staying here tonight."
Phillip turned to Martin. "Tell Dad I’m staying here tonight."
"What about seminary in the morning?" asked Martin, puzzled.
"I’ll go with Grant."
"Ho’kay, I’ll tell Dad. He won’t be happy." He withdrew.
Martin was gone exactly thirty seconds. He returned to find Phillip deeply immersed in Grant’s modified game.
"Dad says you gotta tell him yourself."
Phillip closed his eyes, sighed, and gathered himself together. Dread enveloped him; it was the same sense that overcame him Friday night. He pushed back the chair. Martin led the way. Phillip treaded down the hall with Grant taking up the rear. The hallway walls were jammed with family pictures. Phillip noticed Grant in all of them. The trio trooped through the kitchen to find Grant’s mom tidying the kitchen. All the youth had gone except for Lisa, the bishop’s daughter. Bishop Parker, Grant’s dad and Lance were standing by the fireplace watching the trio line up in front of them.
"Phillip, we have to go. You have homework. It’s getting late," said Lance.
"I want to stay here tonight with Grant. He has a cool game he’s fixed up and …"
"Not tonight, Phillip. There’s plenty of time for games later. You have homework…"
"Dad," said Phillip more loudly. He dug in his heels, clenched his fists tightly and plowed on. "I’m not going home."
Lance’s face reddened. Martin took a step backwards to get out of the way. Grant knew what was coming, too. Grant’s mother stopped wiping the counter. Lisa made a show of reading a magazine.
Bishop Parker cleared his throat. "Phillip, if you have homework, maybe the game can wait?"
Phillip paused. "I’m not going home."
"Why, Phillip?" asked the bishop. "What’s your reason?"
Phillip paused again. He tried to keep his words even. "Because when I go home Dad treats me like I’m totally unwanted and I’m just a big expensive embarrassment and it’s about as pleasant there as being in a prison camp, that’s why. I’m not going home."
Grant’s mother came around the counter to stand behind Grant. Lisa put down her magazine. Martin went to sit beside Lisa; he wasn’t smiling anymore.
"Phillip, maybe this is something we should talk about in my office…" began Bishop Parker, but Lance cut him off.
"Phillip! This is uncalled for! I can’t believe your attitude! Now you march right out to the car and we’ll deal with this at home."
Phillip rocked back and forth. He stared at his feet. He spoke quietly. "I’m not going home."
Grant’s mom spoke tentatively. "You know, maybe it would be good for him to stay tonight, you know, sort of a cooling-off period."
Bishop Parker nodded his agreement.
Lance’s face was still red. He glared at Phillip while he spoke. "Maybe he’s still coming to terms with the accident, Carla. I think I want to get him home."
Phillip replied hotly. "Yeah, and tell me again how much money I’m costing you and how irresponsible and worthless I am. I’m not going home."
Lance stepped toward to face Phillip directly. "Get in the car!" he ordered. He put his hand on Phillip’s shoulder and pushed him in the direction of the door. Phillip violently withdrew and backed into Grant.
"Don’t you touch me!" sputtered Phillip. "I’m not going home."
"You can’t stay here," yelled Lance.
"Yes I can!" yelled Phillip. "Sister Haven just said I could." He backed up against the counter.
"Lance," began the bishop.
"What?" spat Lance. He was breathing hard.
The bishop’s face hardened. "This is not a matter to be imposed on the Haven’s. I have to insist that Phillip stay here tonight. I will want to be involved in the resolution."
Lance lowered his voice. "There’s nothing to be resolved. Phillip is behaving badly and needs to go home," he said.
Phillip had never seen the bishop so grim.
"Lance, we can work out the matter via ecclesiastical channels. Or, we can call Social Services."
"I don’t understand."
"I have strict instructions from the Brethren regarding how to handle certain family matters."
Lance stood stock still. He stared at Phillip. He stared at Martin, sitting quietly beside Lisa. Martin looked for all the world like a refugee; his face written in frightened apprehension. Lance swiveled to face the bishop.
"I’m sure the situation is nowhere near your guidelines."
The bishop looked at Lance, then Phillip, then Martin. His eyes dwelt on Martin for several seconds. He looked back at Lance. "Please keep me posted, Lance. I’d like to get a report. I’m available at any time." He extended his hand to Lance. Lance took it; their eyes met for several seconds before they broke their handshake.
Lance turned to Phillip. "I hope you’re not a burden on the Haven’s, Phillip." He headed to the door, stopped, and faced his youngest son. "Are you coming, Martin?" He turned and went out the door.
Everyone’s eyes were on Martin as he pulled himself upright. He started for the door but stopped in front of Phillip. Awkwardly, he put his good arm around Phillip and hugged him. "Good luck, Phillip," he said quietly. He ran out the door. Phillip struggled to keep his composure.
"Phillip, do you want to talk?" said Bishop Parker.
Phillip looked around at Brother and Sister Haven, Grant and Lisa. "Maybe I should come see you in your office?" he stammered.
Bishop Parker smiled at him. "If you’d feel more comfortable there. I want a report from you too, Phillip. Please come see me during Sunday School this coming Sunday, ok?"
Phillip turned to Grant’s mom. "I won’t be a burden. I promise."
Grant’s mom put her arms around him and hugged him. "I’m sure you’re father’s right; it’s just all the emotions from the accident. Look, you can have the guest room tonight. Let’s not talk it to death right now, ok?"