Jump Then Fall

32.

"Welcome home." Derek smiled at his son as he walked into the kitchen and his son was standing in front of the open refrigerator, staring inside like he expected something to appear. He still looked angry and didn't even look at Derek as he spoke to him. "I was going to make pancakes. What do you think?"

"Whatever." Trevor shrugged, tossing his water bottle inside before closing the door.

"Chocolate chip? I was going to do blueberry but chocolate chip sounds better."

"I don't care."

"Which one do you want?" Derek was trying...really trying.

"Leighton can pick."

"Okay." He sighed, pulling out a mixing bowl. "How was your sleepover?"

"Good."

"Did you guys go trick or treating?"

"Yeah." Trevor poured a glass of water.

"Trev..." Derek sighed.

"I'm going to go say hi to Leighton."

"Wait...can we talk for a second?"

"Can't." Trevor groaned.

"Yes you can."

"I'm busy."

"Trevor...I'm your dad. Give me five minutes and if you don't want to listen to me after that, you can go."

"You didn't listen to me speak so why should I listen to you?" Trevor snapped.

"Your right about that. And I don't have a good answer for you...except that your my son and I love you." Derek replied quietly.

"Yeah." His fourth grader rolled his eyes.

"Five minutes. That's all I want and I'll let you go."

"Fine."

"Thank you." Derek took a deep breath, taking a seat at the kitchen table.

"What?" Trevor pulled a napkin into his hands, immediately ripping it in to pieces.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there. I'm not going to try to make excuses...to make you not be angry with me. I made a promise to you and I broke it and I'm sorry, Trevor. It's eating me up."

"I don't care." Trevor looked out the window.

"You do care."

"No I don't!"

"I heard you did a great job."

"After I almost puked."

"But you didn't."

"You wouldn't know."

"Everybody has been telling me how well you did...that you got a standing ovation. I'm proud of you Trev."

"Thank's." Trevor didn't even acknowledge him as he looked out the window.

"I screwed up." Derek said. It was plain and simple. He had made a huge mistake.

"Yeah you did."

"I don't blame you for not wanting to talk to me or be around me...but I hope you change your mind."

"You broke your promise!"

"I know." Derek sighed, running a hand through this hair. "And I'm going to do everything I can...everything...to fix this and to make it up to you, Trev."