10.5 A Fine Line

Parker was going to steal something. It was close to curfew but not close enough for the cops to start harassing him. Parker settled behind a tall flowery shrub, searching for a victim. Parker watched a group of girls leaving the theater. He recognized them from school and pinned them as being hairbrained. One girl split from the pack, her purse hanging in sight.

He followed her down an alley between the buildings. This was too easy. She was stupid. If he really wanted to be a predator, he could take advantage of this situation. But that wasn't him. A theif? Yes. A sexual predator? No that was disgusting. There was a fine line between the two. Parker closed in on the girl, and just as he went in for the snatch, she turned.

"What the fuck do you think your doing?" she cussed him, holding her purse closer to her body. Parker stopped, shocked. Busted twice in one night. This was a horrible sign. The girl had drawn a crowd. Parker could hear them approaching, asking questions. The girl continued screaming obsenties at him. Yeah this looks bad, Parker thought as he was restrained by two memenbers of the crowd.



It didn't take long before the police arrived. Now, he was out after curfew. "You know," the cop started, but Parker really didn't want to know what he should already know. He was too concerned with the shape of the female cops body. His teenage thoughts running rampant.

At least until he reached his grandmothers house and the cop bent down and slapped a tracking bracelet on his leg. Parker looked up confused, and although he had tried tracing their conversation back, there was always a road block somewhere around the cops upper torso region. "You're under house arrest," she said quickly turning and laughing at his misfortune.

His grandmother was waiting for him by the door. It was the same threats. Nothing Brooke could do would stop Parker. He was his own man, and he lived by his own rules. It didn't matter how many times he was brought home by Valley's finest. He'd never give in to her.

10.4 Theivin' theives

Manuel's house was a second home to Parker. Parker liked Manuel because he was easily manipulated. If Parker needed anything done, Manuel would do it. Manuel had quite the juvenile record. Most of it was Parker related.

Manuel lived with his father in his mother's house. Parker envyed Manuel to some extint. His mother was dead, she'd never leave her son like his mother did. And Manuel's house had so many cutting edge electronics and large jewelry items. Sometimes, Parker itched to take one.

Parker was pretty sure Manuel was his cousin. Even though Parker's grandmother never talked about her sister any more, her pictures still hung on the walls. She shared too many physical characterists to Manuel's mom to not be related.

Even with a family connection, Parker reasoned, the belongings were fair game. After all, family connection never worked for his grandmother. Parker stole from her frequently. Parker planned the grab well, something he learned from the streets. After Manuel left for the bedroom, Parker sprung in to action. Each step took him closer and closer to satisfying his "itch," a gold plated box on his father's night stand.

"Not so fast," Manuel's father voice boomed. Parker stopped dead center. He'd never been caught before. "You can't steal from a theif," he said, blocking Parker's path. With a quick lecture, Parker was kicked out of Manuel's house. He'd get that box if it was the last thing he'd do.

In true Parker fashion, he didn't go home.

10.3 Old habits die hard

Parker felt like he had a purpose again. All those years on the streets had made him homesick. Although he couldn't go back to his childhood, Nathan and he were like brothers again. Nathan wasn't as over bearing now. Now that he wasn't trying to be a father figure to Parker. Parker enjoyed the competion.



Parker still lived for the thrill. He occasionally go searching through his grandmother's things. He knew his family was weathly. It was old money too. Old money meant old jewlery. Old Jewlery meant expensive. Everyone knew expensive meant more money.


Time after time he'd comeup empty.



Brooke tried everything she could. Lectures, groundings, revoking privilages. Nothing worked. Brooke remembered the words of her sister when she couldn't get through to Lauren, "Nothing gets through this child." Sometimes Brooke thought "like mother like son," then she remembered his father.

10.2 Deeper Than Nurture

Days blended in to weeks, weeks into months. Parker was sure he could handel the streets. He was slick. He knew were to get food and where to find shelter. Most of all, he knew excatly were to hide.
Parker had a lot of free time on his hands. School was for lamo's unless you were tagging it. He'd developed quite the artistic skill over the years. Tonight, He found himself drawing away on the inside of a science classroom, when Valley's finest found him.
The streets taught him survival; the law taught him not to get caught.

Within moments he was returned home. Atleast where home should have been. Parker didn't expect to be welcomed into warm arms, but he definitely didn't think he'd be lectured either. Which was excatly what he got. From his aging grandmother none the less. Luckily, upon his return she won a three day vacation.

Nathan was the same, a bit more popular than when Parker left. His parties were lavish. Parker made friends quickly.



While Nathan found love quickly.


Even lavish parties weren't enough to entertain Parker. He wanted action. Action he'd fabricate a few tales to see happen.

10.1 Genetics Run...

Nathan and Parker returned home from school. There was a stillness about the house the two hadn't noticed before. There was an unwritten schedule the house operated on. Brooke took care of mornings, Lauren took care of afternoons, and around 5:00 the family gathered for dinner.

"Mom," Parker called wandering from room to room. "Aunt Lauren," Nathan called behind him. After a thorough search of the house the boys discovered a short letter, written to Parker, with a clear message.

Parker found a place under the tree house. He wanted to be alone. It was one thing to wonder where your father was all your life. It was a second to have you mother leave you. Soon, Nathan would be leaving him for college and who knew when his grandmother would leave him permanetly. After ushering Nathan away from him, Parker began walking with no end in sight.

9.9

Brooke welcomed elderhood with open arms. Although she saw the ghost of Wilson less and less, she felt complete with Nathan by her side.

The two parents fell into sync with each other. Each day was almost as dull as the next. Soon Lauren aged into a full adult and everything hit her at once. She hated where her life was.
She hated her job. She hated her coworkers. She hated everything.
Some would call it a mid life crisis. Lauren called it bad luck. She tried countless things to better her life. A new car. New clothes. New job. Nothing seemed to fill the gap. Nothing made her happy.

Nathan and Parker grew up well. Both attended to by Brooke. Since even the sight of Parker made Lauren upset. She was once again unhappy in the one place she was always happy. On the eve of Parker's birthday she finally made the decision. The decision to leave it all behind.

9.8

Brooke sat by Lauren's side throughout the delivery. When everything was said and done, Lauren brought home a baby boy, Parker, named in honor of her ancestors. Parker would have his mother's last name and, Lauren swore, he'd never know his good for nothing lying father.

Work was terrible once Lauren returned. Of course everyone in every department knew she was dating the bank robber. Everyone, even Lauren, thought Derik, Leland, had known who she was. Lauren felt used. She'd never forgive him.



Life at home was just as hectic. Eventhough Brooke was able to stay home with the babies, it hardly made Lauren's life any easier. With the arresting of Leland, there was more paperwork than ever.

Parker made it worth it. At the end of each day.