Parker

Chapter 27

Rodger arrived at work with one thought on his mind. Parker. Or course that was not unusual. His youngest son the focus of his thoughts, of his concerns, of his anxieties. He probably worried more about him more than his other three kids combined.

Then again he was worth the time and energy he spent worrying about him unlike his three selfish older children.

Where did I go wrong with them? he mused as he walked into the showroom. Or is the better question where did Felicia go wrong? Maybe she is to one to blame for their narcissistic behavior.

Or perhaps we are both to blame he thought as he felt wave of self incrimination crash down on his shoulders. He had to admit but they had been both lacking in parenting skills while raising them.

I just hope I'm doing a better job with Parker.

"Rodger."  A nervous voice said pulling him from his musings. A voice that filled him with annoyance. No not now he thought. Go away. "May I talk to you?" The shaky voice said. He wanted to say no, every fiber of his being wanted to tell him no. But he found himself swallowing his annoyance and burying it deep inside of him. He slowly turned to Todd and said. "Come with me."

They turned into the hallway that led to his office. He got to the door when Ken met them. "Rodger can talk to you."

Rodger could not help but to note the lack of annoyance he felt towards the boy. "Yes." He then looked at Todd. "Wait for me in my office."

Todd walked into the office even though he did not look like he was too pleased about it.

Rodger closed the door. "What's up?"

"How is Parker?" Rodger could feel the worry emanating off him.

"He's fine." Rodger said. "He's at school right now."

"I feel so bad about getting him in trouble." Ken said.

"Well stop" Rodger said much to his surprise. "You made a mistake, learn from it and don't do it again."

"I know but my mistake didn't just affect me." Ken said. "It affected Parker too."

"Yes but you weren't the only one to blame." Rodger said.

"But I feel that I am the one who got off easier." Ken replied. "I just sent home for the rest Parker got..." He then cut himself off and looked at Rodger awkwardly.

"Parker got what he needed." Rodger said. "Plus Parker was already in trouble when he snuck off with you so yes he got the more severe punishment."

"That I didn't know." Ken said.

"I guessed that he did not share with you."

I don't know if it would have made a difference if he did. I probably would have still tempted him to go on the joyride with me thinking that we could get away with it.

"Look just stop beating yourself Ken." Rodger said. "Its not going to change what happen and all your going to do kill yourself with guilt."

"I think I should apologize to him for my part in it."

"That's fine." Rodger said. "He will be here after school you can talk to him then."

"Thank you."

"Now get back to work." He said with a smile.

"Yes, sir."

As Ken walked down the hall to the service center exit he thought he's a good kid. A little immature but still a good kid.

He then took in a deep breath as he walked into the office.

Todd was sitting at his desk when he walked in.  He quickly stood and waited until Rodger had walked around the desk and sat down. Once he was seated Todd sat as well.

"What can I do for you Todd?" Rodger asked.

"First off I want to apologize for coming over your house yesterday." Todd said sheepishly. "That was stupid of me." His cheeks began to hurn red.

"Yes it was Todd." Rodger said. "That was extremely inappropriate. When I hone I don't want to think about work. I want to focus on my son and what he needs."

Todd squirmed in his seat. "It won't happen again Rodger "

"It better not." Rodger said. "In all my time ad a manger I got to say that you are the only employee who has just dripped by my house unannounced."

"Again sorry."

Rodger then sighed as he told himself to back off. Todd knew he screwed up so stop berating him.."Is there anything else?"

"Yes." Todd said. "What I wanted to talk to you about yesterday."

"Go on."

"I don't think." Emotion filled his voice and he could not look Rodger in the eye. "That I can do this anymore."

"So you are quitting."

"I don't want to." Todd said. "I really don't want to but I can't put with Justin's abuse anymore. I can't take being constantly humiliated and belittled."

"And I don't blame you." He gave him a look of pity.

"And its not just Justin." Todd said. "Randall has been bullying me too." Admitting that caused his cheeks to grow redder. He felt like a child complaining to his teacher about being mistreated on the school yard not like a man in his mid twenties.

"I'm sorry about that." Rodger said. Randall was not one of favorite salesmen. He was crude, vulgar, and obnoxious and if had his way he would have gotten rid of him long ago. But somehow he was the second highest salesman in the dealership who averaged fifteen cars a month so he was not going to get fired anytime soon.

Though he should be.

"You are not the first person he has mistreated." Rodger told him.

"I can believe that."  He then sniffed. "I just don't know what to do."

The door then swung opened and Justin came sauntering in. "Todd why aren't you out in the sales floor." He said with annoyance in his voice.

"I was just talking to Rodger." Todd said as he stood up.

"What you should be doing is talking to customers you big baby." Justin said with disgust in his voice. "Not sitting here wasting Rodger's time with your sob story."

"Justin stop it." Rodger said.

Justin ignored him. "There are five customers on the salesfloor so get stopping whining like a child and get out there and do your job." He then flicked him in the face with index finger.

"Justin!" Todd yelled.

"Yes Justin." Todd stuttered.

"And try to not to be an incompetent idiot when you do it." Justin said and Todd fled the office.

Rodger was about to scold Justin again when he turned and said "I guess you are planning to tell Owen about that too."

Rodger's eyes grew to the size of saucers.