Of Royal Descent by Ember Shane Page A

over four hours since I had last spoken with my dad.  My phone began to chirp voice message notifications.  One chirp, two chirps, three chirps, four - and two buzzes for new text messages just to round it all out.  Shit, shit, shit!   He was not going to be happy.
    My father was a good man.  A side from the episode earlier that day, I couldn't recall a time when he'd ever raised his voice to me.  And he certainly had never struck me before.  On the whole, he was quite a patient and good-humored man.  But there were certain things he took very seriously, such as knowing where his children were at all times. 
    Maybe it was because of the adoption factor, but my parents had always been overprotective of both Jenny and me.  And now, not only had I left home without telling him, I'd left my phone off for an inexcusable amount of time.  My ears were already burning from the inevitable lecture on responsibility and consideration for others.
    I dialed "1" and held the phone to my ear. 
    Message 1 was from my father:  "Doyle, we got cut off.  Call me back!"
    Message 2 was also from my father:  "Doyle, I don't care if you're angry at me ; you need to call me back immediately.  I am trying to do what is best for you, son.  Call me back."
    Message 3 was from m y mother:  "Doyle, your father and I are very worried about you.  We love you.  Call us as soon as you turn your phone on.  *There was a pause as she began to cry.*  And don't forget to drink lots of water, Charles too.  Hydration is the key to preventing constipation on long car trips."
    Message 4 was a hang up from an unknown caller.
    Text message 1 was from Jenny:  DUDE, THE 'RENTS R SPAZZING.  WHERE R U?
    Text message 2 was from Chuck:  U AWAKE?
    Closing the bathroom door for a modicum of privacy, I exited my text messaging screen.  I sat on the edge of the tub and dialed my dad's number.  It went straight to voicemail.  I hung up and tried my mom's number.  It, too, went straight to voicemail.  I flipped the phone closed and stared at the floor. 
    No way both of their phones just happen to be off , I thought.  Something had to be going on.  I flipped my phone back open and texted Jenny.  R U AWAKE?
    Almost immediately , my phone buzzed with a response.  WHERE R U?  M&D JUST BOARDED A PLANE.
    I stared at the readout, disbelieving.  They just boarded a plane?
    I texted my sister:  TO OHIO?!
    Her reply:  YES.  SHOULD BE THERE IN COUPLE HOURS.
    I flipped my phone closed and flung the door open.  Chuck stared at me, expectantly.
    "They’re on a plane!" I spat out. 
    Chuck's eyes grew round and his bottom jaw dropped.   "Your parents?" he asked.
    I nodded my head and paced to my bed.  I tossed my phone onto the bedspread and sank down beside it.  We remained as we were for a moment, pondering the situation.
    Chuck was the first to break the silence.  "Well, you certainly win the most melodramatic parents of the year award."
    I propped myself up on my elbows and looked over at Chu ck who was staring back at me.  "This is crazy," I said, shaking my head in disbelief. 
    "I mean, have I EVER given them cause to worry?" I asked.  "No," I continued, without giving Chuck a chance to answer.  "No, not once, not ever.  And it wouldn't matter if I had!"  Realization slowly began to creep into the orifices of my understanding.  I was growing angry.
    "I am twenty-one-fucking years old!"  I sprang out of bed and began to pace the room.   "I told him I would call him back, and he can't even give me a few hours?  He's completely unreasonable!"  I continued. 
    I sat back down on the edge of my bed, not knowing what action to take.  Chuck, who until now, had remained motionless, began to sit up on the side of his bed and face me.
    "Yeah, that's pretty messed up.  I mean, are they actually coming here to pick you up and drag you home?  That’s embarrassing, dude."
    "I don't know what else they could be thinking ," I muttered. 
    "Well,