Parker

Chapter 15

Cyrus could be a sulking, insubordinate, argumentative brat at times but despite all that Rodger thought the world of him. He had grown to love the boy as much as he loved Parker. He had become more of a son to him then Spenser ever was.

The boy could also be very sweet and engaging when he wanted to be.

Unfortunately this was not one of those moments.  Parker had spent the ride to the restaurant sunk down in the backseat pouting and listening to music on his cell phone.  He had refused any attempts at conversation only giving one words answers or grunts.  Rodger could tell that Miranda was losing her patience quickly with the boy.

They arrived at the restaurant and once out of the car Miranda extended her hand. "I want your cell phone and ear buds .

"No."  Cyrus said as he moved his cell phone close to his chest.

Now Cyrus."  She said in a bit of more authoritarian tone.

"I am not giving you my cell phone."  Cyrus said.

"Do what your mother tells you."  Rodger said at his wits end with the boy's behavior.

Frustration filled his face as he said "You're not my father."

"That's enough Cyrus." Miranda scowled at him. "Why don't you get us a table so Cyrus and I can have a little talk."

Cyrus then gulped as Rodger said "Certainly."

"Mom please..."

"Quiet." She said cut him off. "I warned you to behave, you didn't listen now its time to face the consequences." Cyrus hung his head. "Get in the car."

The two got in the car and as Miranda started it she said "By the way he might not be your father now but he is going to be so get used to him telling you what to do."

Cyrus said nothing he just kept his head down as they pulled out of the spot.

Rodger felt a bit of sympathy for Cyrus as he was led to the table by the hostess. Like Parker he was a good kid deep down.  He just made bad choices.

He choose a booth instead of a table deciding that the padded seats would be easier on his backside.  He ordered a drink and then his mind went to Parker.

He hoped that he was not making any bad choices. That he was doing what he was told and not giving Spenser and his wife a hard time.

I'll call give Spenser a call he thought.
He pulled out his phone and selected his number.

The phone rang twice and then he heard his son's voice. "Hey dad."

"Hey Spenser." Rodger took a drink of his water. "How are things going?'

"Good." Spenser said as he sat in front of his TV playing a video game. Two of his kids played on the floor by him.

"How is Parker?"

"Parker is fine." Spenser said. "I'm having him stay in the guest room until you come get him."

His forehead creased as he said "You locked him in your guest room?"

"He's not locked in the guest room dad." Spenser said annoyed. "He can leave and use the bathroom if he needs to but he just has to stay in the room."

"But still you are making him stay in the guest room." Rodger said.

"Isn't that what you do with grounded kids." Spenser said. "Make them stay in their room."

"Yeah but I thought you would spend some time with him."

"Like I said I'm busy dad." Spenser's character on the screen slammed its sword into the chest of dragon. "I don't have time to babysit him."

"But you have checked on him?" Rodger asked. "Made sure that he is still in his room."

"Yes." He said. No he thought.

"And he is okay?"

"I told you he was dad." Spenser said. A horde of barbarians then came rushing over a hill. "Look I gotta go."  He then hung up on him.

Rodger then sighed. Perhaps leaving him in Spenser's care was not the best idea.

Ten minutes later Miranda and Cyrus walked up to the booth. His eyes were red from crying and pain was etched across his face. He sat in the booth first and his mother sat to him.

"Cyrus do you have something to say to Rodger."

Cyrus looked at him in remorse. "I'm sorry for my behavior Rodger. I should not have acted like that nor should I spoken to you like that and I hope you can forgive me."

"Of course I forgive you buddy." Rodger said and a smile crossed Cyrus' face.  "Now what are going to eat?" He asked.

The waitress returned to the table and they made their orders. Miranda then grabbed a roll from the plate basket in the center of the table. "So how was work yesterday?" She asked.

"It was fine." He replied.

She saw the look of discomfort in his face. "Are you sure?"

Cyrus had the same question.

"Justin was going off on one our sales reps again." Rodger saw a look of disgust cross her face at the mention of his name.  "Embarrassing him, insulting him, being his normal douchebag self."

Cyrus smirked.

"I don't know why my father does not fire him." She said as she buttered her roll.

"I'm not sure that he knows what he is really like." Rodger carefully said. "All he knows is that he runs the second highest store in the company."

"Thanks to you." Miranda said. "Not him."

"Why don't you tell grandpa?" Cyrus asked. "I'm sure if he knew what he was doing he would fire him."

"Your grandfather is a very bus man Cyrus." Rodger said. He thought how he had over twenty locations across three states. "Seeing him is not very easy."

"Mom could tell him." Cyrus said.

"That would be awkward." Rodger said.

He gave him an oblivious look. "Why?"

"Because I am dating her." Rodger said.

"He does not want it to look like he was using me to get rid of his boss so he can get a promotion."

"Oh." He said.

"Of course he's not." Miranda then smiled. "So what are you going to do."

"Report him to Owen Keating." Rodger said.

"Good luck with that." Cyrus could tell she did not think highly of Keating either.

"I'll need it." He said with a look of uncertainty. He thought how Justin was very well liked in the company and he friends on the corporate level. Going up against him might be career suicide.

But he has to do it. For Todd and for everyone who has been a victim of his abuse

An hour later they returned to the house.  Cyrus goodbye to Rodger and went to his room while Miranda walked Rodger to the car.

"I just wanted you to know that despite what Cyrus said he does think the world of you." Miranda told him.

"I think the world of him too." Rodger said. "And I am sure that Parker will think the world of you too."

"I hope so."

"I know so." Rodger said. "You are a kind, compassionate loving person and a great mom to Cyrus and I know you will be to Parker."

"Or course you'll have to tell him about me first." Miranda said.

"I will." He said.

"And your other children."

"I'll tell them too." He said.

"How do you think they will react?"

"I think they will be happy for me." He said. "Estatic."

"Even Parker?"

"Especially Parker." He then kissed her. "After all he's my buddy. He wants me to be happy."

Rodger then kissed her again and then drove off to get Parker.