Parker

Chapter 17

Rodger could feel the tension in the car as they drove to the restaurant. Parker said nothing just in his seat looking out the window. Rodger began to realize that keeping his relationship with Miranda from his son was not the best idea.

They walked into Pal's restaurant and sat down. The hostess set down two menus. The restaurant just did not sell but a variety of burgers as well. "He did feed right?"

"Actually Meredith fed me." Parker said. "Spenser probably would have been content to let me starve."

"I doubt he would go that far." Rodger said.

"So you went on a date." Parker said perused the ice cream selection. There were twenty four flavors to choose from.

"Yes."

"Was this your first date?" Parker continued to look at the menu.

"More like our twenty fourth."

Parker looked up from his menu. "Twenty fourth?" He said a bit surprised. "How long have you been seeing her?"

"Three months." He answers hesitantly.

"Three months." A hurt expression crossed his face. "You've been seeing someone for three months and you didn't tell me." Betrayal flickered in his eyes. The two beatings he recieved hurt less. "Why?"

"Well when we started dating we did not want anyone to know." Rodger said. "She is Mister Fitzsimmons' daughter."

"Oh." He said.

"So you see why we wanted to keep a secret."

"But why from me?" Parker asked. "I'm your son not your coworker or employee."

"I know we just thought it would be best if no one knew." Rodger said. "We also didn't want to introduce each other to our kids until we were sure it was going to work out."

"She has kids too." Parker's voice was filled with pain. This can't be happening he thought. This can't be happening.

"Just one." Rodger said. "A son, he's fifteen, his name is Cyrus."

"And you've met him."

"Yes." He replied. "Two months ago."

"Two months ago." He said loudly.

"Keep your voice down." He then looked around embarrassed.

"You met her kid two months ago." He said lower but just as angry outrage tone.

"But you waited two months to tell me about your new girlfriend and her kid."

A hesitant look crossed his face. "Yes?"

"Why?" He asked. "Were you ashamed of me."

"No course not." He said.

"Then why didn't you tell me about her." He yelled again and once again all eyes fell upon.

"Calm down Parker." He said with a look in his which said you are about ten seconds away from getting your butt beat.

"I don't want to calm down dad." Parker said. "You've been seeing someone for three months and you didn't tell me."

"I didn't tell your brother or sisters either." Technically I still haven't told my daughters. Hopefully they won't get as emotional as Parker.

"That does not make me feel better." He said in dismay. "How could you not tell me?" He asked again. A cold realization then hit him. One that he hoped was wrong. "Wait did you have lunch with him too."

"Yes."

"So you had lunch with your girlfriend and her son but left me locked in a guest room at my stupid brother's house all afternoon." His face fell. "Why?"

"Well you were grounded."

"And yet you still brought me here tell me about your slut girlfriend and her stupid son."

"Don't call her that." He said defensively. "She is not a slut and Cyrus is not stupid." He then composed himself. "Actually they both very much want to meet you."

Well Miranda more than Cyrus he thought.

"I don't want to meet them." Parker angrily said.

"Dont be like that Parker."

The waitress walked over to them and said "Are you gentlemen ready to order."

"Yes." Rodger said.

"Actually I lost my appetite." Parker slid out of the booth.

"Parker."

"I want to go home." He then walked away.

Rodger sighed. "I apologize." He then stood up and left a twenty on the table to cover the drinks and a tip.

He then walked out to find Parker leaning against the car with his head down.

"Parker." Rodger said as he walked over to him.

"I can't talk to you right now." Parker said. If I'll talk to him right now, I'll say the wrong thing and get my butt beat with the belt. And I don't want another whipping. "Please take me home."

"Okay." He hit the key fob unlocking the door. Parker got in and Rodger got in on the driver's side.

They soon returned home and Parker said. "I'm going to my room."

"Wow you must really be upset if you are choosing to go to your room." Rodger jokingly said only to recieve a scathing look from his son.

"You're not funny dad." Parker said.

"No, I'm not." He said with remorse is in his voice. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have been making jokes."

"No you shouldn't." Parker said.

"Parker I'm sorry..."

Parker raised his hand. "Save it." He then turned and ran up the stairs.