Couple's Therapy

For Better or Worse

Ben sat down in the sand next to the kids as they were playing in the sand. He knew they heard what was going on, but he didn't know what to say or how to approach the situation with the. So he just sat quiet until they eventually spoke first. 

Miranda kept walking down the beach until she reached the other part of the resort.

"We're not babies you don't have to stare at us like fish in a tank. We heard that you are our real father supposedly", Aiden said.

"Hush Aiden", Alexis said.

"Sorry just don't really know what to say. This is all so new, scary and shocking all in one", Ben said rubbing the back of his head.

"Well we're an open book, get to know us and we'll try to get to know you before my mom gets tired of you too and another dad comes along", Aiden said upset and getting up and going down by the shore to sit.

"Don't mind him, he doesn't like anyone. He didn't even really care for Isaiah either", Alexis said.

"Why not?"

"Him and Isaiah stayed getting into it because my brother is always getting into something. He convinced my mom that Aiden needed medication to sit still when he was younger."

"Does he still take it now?"

"No he stopped taking the meds because he said it was making him sick and evil and I believe him. I may not know why my brother has a problem with doing random things that would scare most normal people, but for sure I know he's not evil", Alexis said as she poured sand in the bucket.

"Doing stuff like what?", Ben asked as he looked out watching Aiden play by the shore.

"Ummm...well just last week him and his friends were playing how high and he almost sprained his ankle and mom was pissed, but dad...I mean Isaiah was livid!"

"Livid huh?" Ben laughed. "What's how high?"

"Yes....I read the dictionary a lot to find new words for my crossword puzzles so I use them often when I can remember what they mean. And it's where they start jumping off little things then move up to like a car, fence and or garage. They keep finding higher things to jump from to see how high before someone gets scared. Aiden made it to the branch of a tree and then jumped down into a  pile of leaves. Last month he rode his skateboard down a hill into a intersection. I ran and told mom, but her and Isaiah got into an argument about it. When Aiden came back Isaiah yelled at him and grabbed his arm hard and Aiden tried pulling away. He said if he ever do that again that he was going to medicate him so much that he wouldn't be able to move ever again", she said while patting the sand.

Ben was heated. "Does he or has he done that to you too? Or threaten you?"

"No, but he has snatched my books and newspapers from me when he gets mad at my brother or mom. He did say that he'll separate me and my brother forever."

"ALEXIS! Stop running your mouth so damn much!", Alexandra said.

Ben stood up in her defense as she looked down sad. "Don't talk to her like that Alexandra and you got this piece of shit putting his hands on my kids. What the hell is your problem?"

"No one is touching or hitting my kids. Alexis talks to damn much. Aiden is fine, he needs someone tough on him to slow his ass down. He does too much."

"He's a freaking kid for Gods sake. And if you took the time to actually figure out what causes him to act like that then maybe you can help him, but yelling and whatever else you're doing isn't helping."

"I've been raising these kids since they were born, not you so don't question my parenting skills especially when you have no experience to talk."

"And I wonder why!"