Endure

S I X T E E N

Brandon's eyes snapped open as he sat up in his chair, his green eyes wide and alert.

Jackson and I exchanged looks before carefully glancing over at Jade.

She let out a sigh. "I'm so sorry he wasted your time."

Elliot shrugged it off. "False accusations happen more often than you think."

Brandon let out a huge gasp. "Fuuu--"

Jade gave him a look before he could finish. She then turned to Elliot. "There's always been . . . conflict between us," she told him hesitantly. "I knew Gabe was not-so-happy with me recently but I didn't think he'd take it this far. He did this just to get back at me for not letting Brandon spend that much time with him. Social Services shouldn't have been involved."

"It'll go on the record." Elliot clicked his pen as he flipped through his folder.

"I see?" Brandon asked as he stood from the chair and stepped next to Jade.

Jade nodded at him then turned to Elliot. "Did he make this report recently?"

"No." Elliot shook his head. "We've just been catching up on reports that have been made in the last few months."

"Okay. Because I wouldn't know if it would've made any difference if the report was made by an actual criminal."

Elliot raised an eyebrow at her.

"He's in prison now," Jade stated plainly.

Elliot raised both eyebrows at her.

"Would you like proof of that too? Because I could get it for you," she offered, leaving the room before he could even answer.

I watched her leave before spotting the groceries we left by the door and rushed to place them in the kitchen before anything spoiled.

After making sure all the delicate foods were stored properly, I headed back to the living room, stepping around a maze of soccer balls and hockey pucks when another soccer ball came bouncing toward me and I picked it up.

"Here." Jackson held his hands up and I tossed it to him. "Thanks," he said, before placing the ball down and kicking it to Brandon.

"Hi!! I do!" Brandon exclaimed with a smile as he slowly lifted his right foot up and stopped the ball. "Nice, man!!" He smiled brightly before tapping his foot ever so gently against the ball, causing it to roll a short distance away.

"Alright, Bran!" Jackson encouraged him as he stopped the ball.

"Not bad!" Elliot nodded at the two, making a note.

"Okie dokie." Jade returned with a binder in her hands. She held it out to Elliot, the words 'HISTORY OF SHAME' written across the front cover. "Gabe was just arrested, so he must've made the report awhile back. He's nothing but a troublemaker. Always has been." 

Elliot's stare remained on the cover, raising his eyebrows slightly before opening the binder. "This is . . . This is a lot." He nodded, flipping through the pages with furrowed brows. "Is there a way I can get a copy of these?" He looked up at Jade. "Just so we could keep it on record."

She gave him a weak smile. "Our printer is out of ink."

"I could head to the offices real quick and make copies there," Jackson offered as he passed the ball to Brandon again. "They're just down the road."

"Would you please?" Jade handed the binder to him.

"I'll be back." He nodded as he left.

"Bran has helped Gabriel out in the past so we've had all his files here," Jade explained to Elliot.