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)
Step Two of Operation Liberation
Phillip and Grant approached the public phone outside the doors to the gymnasium. It was fourth period—lunch for both of them—and Phillip needed Grant for courage. Phillip picked up the handset and deposited a quarter. He dialed Grant’s home number. Grant’s mom answered.
"Haven’s."
"Sister Haven, this is Phillip. Can I ask you a favor?"
"Anything, Phillip. Are you feeling better today? I didn’t get a chance to talk with you before you and Grant left for seminary this morning."
"Well, I’ve been thinking the matter over pretty carefully. Can I stay again tonight?"
There was a long pause. Phillip’s heart slowly rose to his throat.
"I don’t see a problem, Phillip, but you have me worried now. Are you ok?"
"I’m sorry to be a burden, but I’m just not ready to face my dad yet. In fact, can I stay a few days?"
"You’re welcome for as long as you want to stay. But you need clean clothes and things like that. You can’t stay away from your own home forever."
"Yes, I know. Grant and I will stop at my house right after school and I’ll pick up a few things."
"Phillip, I’m worried. I think I should call the bishop and let him know you’ll be staying another night or two. And I really should talk with your mother. Does she know about this?"
"No, not yet. Maybe I should be the one to talk with her?"
"If you wish."
"Ok, bye."
Phillip hung up the phone and turned to Grant. "Well, that’s step two of Operation Liberation."
"What was step one?" asked Grant.
"I sent an e-mail to Richard."
"What’s that got to do with liberation?"
"Don’t really know. Somehow seemed like a first step. Anyway, let’s have lunch."
"Liberation of my stomach. Cool."
* * *
Grant and Phillip got off the bus and hurried down the sidewalk. They wanted to get in and out quickly to minimize the possibility Lance would be there. They ignored the fine early May weather. They ignored the petunias in Melanie’s flowerbeds. They ignored the friendly wave of the woman across the street who had listened in on Phillip’s argument over a driving lesson. Ascertaining only that there was no car in the driveway, they climbed the steps, crossed the porch and stood before the front door.
"You first," said Grant.
Phillip paused. "Should I knock?"
"Good grief, Phillip, this is your house! You’ve only been gone one night."
"Ok." Phillip tentatively opened the screen door. "You’re sure."
"Phillip, go!"
Phillip turned the knob and pushed. He and Grant slipped quietly through the door. Carmen snored loudly in her rocker; Wolfgang was curled at her feet—also snoring. Clanks from the kitchen told of the dishwasher being unloaded. Phillip gently closed the door behind them.
Phillip held a finger to his lips. "Maybe we can just sneak in and sneak out," he whispered. They turned to the stairs.
They made it as far as the first step. The slight creak woke Wolfgang. He barked and was on them in an instant. Phillip kneeled and petted the massive dog, trying to calm it. Wolfgang responded by barking again. Phillip sighed.
"Is that you, Martin?" called Margo from the kitchen.
As if this were his entrance line, Martin burst in the front door, slamming it against the wall. "Hi, Phillip. Hi Grant," he yelled. "Hey Grant, I need you to help me with a math problem, can you…"
Carmen’s foghorn voice came from the living room. "Do you guys have to sound like a freight train? Phillip, how was your night over at Grant’s?"
Margo came into the hallway, wiping her hands on her apron. She looked worriedly at Phillip. "Hi, honey," she said quietly. "Your father told me there was a scene last night. I hope you’re feeling better."
"Yeah!" said Martin. "I thought Phillip was gonna move out for good!"
Phillip closed his eyes and sighed.
"What’s this about moving out?" yelled Carmen from the living room. "Margo, all you told me was that Phillip was staying overnight with Grant."
"Anyway, you’re back now, aren’t you?" asked an anxious Margo. She continued to wipe her hands on her apron even though they were dry.
Phillip looked at his brother’s and mother’s expectant faces. This was not going at all the way he wanted. Grant backed away.
"I just came over for some clothes and my running stuff," said Phillip quietly. " I’m going to spend a few more days at Grant’s."
Martin’s expectant smile faded, replaced by resignation. Margo stopped wiping her hands; she stared at Phillip. Tears coursed down her cheeks. She said nothing.
Phillip hung his head and whispered. "I’m sorry, Mom. I just can’t face Dad. I’m better off at Grant’s right now."
"How long?" she asked.
"I don’t know."
"Richard…" she began.
"What about Richard?" asked Phillip.
"Nothing. I’m sorry this is happening to you."
"Me, too," said Phillip.
She stepped toward Phillip and embraced him, stroking his hair. "I love you," she sobbed.
"What’s going on out there?" bellowed Carmen. "Someone’s crying."
Phillip’s stomach felt like stone. "I love you too, Mom. I’m sorry. But I can’t stay. I better get my stuff."
Wordlessly, Margo turned and went into the living room. Phillip went up the stairs; his feet were lead weights. Grant followed him; so did Martin. Wolfgang took up the rear.
The four went into Phillip’s room. Margo had tidied; the bed was made and all the papers were off the floor. Grant and Martin sat on the bed.
Phillip pulled a spare backpack out of his closet. He stuffed it with an extra pair of pants, some tee-shirts and several pair of underpants. He was stuffing in socks when Martin spoke.
"How long are you staying? That’s lots of clothes."
"Dunno."
"No, really. Are you actually moving out?"
"Dunno."
"When are you coming back?"
"Dunno."
Martin fell silent; he and Grant watched while Phillip packed. Phillip stuffed his running shorts and shoes in the backpack. He filled his normal backpack with his books and schoolwork. Finally finished, he knelt beside Wolfgang. The big dog thumped its tail against the desk.
"Wolfgang, take care of my little brother, will you? I’ll miss you most."
"Hey," said Martin.
"He doesn’t give me endless gas," replied Phillip. Phillip pulled the big backpack over his shoulders. He picked up the backpack filled with schoolwork. "Guess I’m finished." He stood to go.
Martin became tinier while Phillip watched; he looked vulnerable. "You’re leaving me here by myself, you know."
"Why’s that an issue? Dad doesn’t yell at you."
"He did last night."
"Why?"
"’Cause I stood up for you in the car."
Phillip reflected on this new information. "What’d you say?"
"I told him you weren’t at fault for the accident."
Phillip did a double take. "You told this to Dad?" he said incredulously.
"Yeah. Didn’t go over very well."
"What’d Dad say?"
"Like I said, it didn’t go over very well. So I shut up."
"Hmph," said Phillip. He walked out the room and down the stairs. Grant, Martin and Wolfgang followed him.
Phillip stopped in the entryway to look into the living room. His mother sat on the couch. Carmen was in her rocker. They held hands. Both stared at Phillip. Margo’s face still glistened; Carmen’s was a study in anger. Grant saw Carmen’s face too; he instinctively hugged the wall behind him. Phillip braced himself for his grandmother’s blast, but it didn’t come.
"I’ll work things on this end, Phillip," she said. "You can count on me."
Phillip stood for nearly ten seconds before moving. He said nothing. He moved silently to the door; Martin used his good hand to open it for him. Phillip went out first, followed by Martin and Grant. Phillip was halfway down the steps when Martin gently called his name. He turned to look at his brother.
"Can I come with you?" whispered Martin.
"Huh?"
"I’ll call you tonight. Just to see how it goes. God bless you, big brother."
Phillip’s emotions rose to the surface. Unable to speak, he nodded. He turned and went down the steps with Grant at his side. They’d gone half a block before either spoke.
"Uh, Phillip, if that was step three, I can’t wait to see what kind of blockbuster you’ve got lined up for step four."
Phillip laughed.
Grant continued. "You do know what you’re doing, don’t you?"
"No," replied Phillip.