Different Faces: What if?

Second Chances

Life sets us on the path we are Destined to follow. But Rad... things weren't as simple as he would like them to be... he dreamt of being the father he was born to be but... unfortunately the events that have transpired prevented him from being one that is until this second chance...

Second Chances

Rad walked into the principals of his nephew's school. "Are you Radley Heeler?" The principal asked. "I am," Rad said as he sat down in the office. "There has been an accident involving your brother and sister in law and unfortunately they didn't make it," the principal explained calmly. "What?!" Rad shouted almost in tears. "Mr Heeler, Mr Labrador here is your sister in law and brother's lawyer," the principal explained as a brown lab walked up behind Rad. "Emily had very special instructions for you," Mr Labrador said. "Instructions?" Rad asked with tears in his eyes now looking at the lawyer. "Emily Strictly instructed that you will care for Her and Bandit's six year old son," Mr. Labrador said, giving Rad the Will of Bandit and Emily Heeler. "What?" Rad asked, looking at the will. "I have guardianship of Thomas?" Rad asked, looking at the paper. "Seems like you do," Mr. Labrador said.

"This has to be a mistake, what about my brother Stripe and his wife?" Rad asked, looking at the principal and lawyer. "Emily and Bandit wanted you as Guardian," Mr. Labrador replied. Rad looked down and sighed. "But... I'm not...they just moved here last year!" Rad said to himself. "Give it some time and if it doesn't work out then we can talk about Stripe being permanent Guardianship," Mr. Labrador explained. "Okay," Rad said with a sigh. "Does he know yet?" Rad asked. The principal and lawyer looked at each other and then back at Rad. "I think it's best you tell him,'' the principal said. "Right," Rad said, looking down. Suddenly the bell rang for school to get out. "School is out now so I can take you to him," the principal said. Rad nodded standing up. Rad was then taken to Thomas's classroom. Thomas was the last to clean up his art project.

"There he is," the principal said. Rad nodded and then walked into the room. "Hey mate," Rad said softly. Thomas turned and smiled seeing his uncle. "Uncle Rad!" Thomas shouted as he ran up and hugged his uncle. "What are you doing here? I thought I would only see you at Christmas?" Thomas said, looking up at his uncle. "I.. uh... your parents wanted me to pick you up," Rad said, trying to hold back tears. "Really?" Thomas asked. "Yeah... why don't we go get something to eat," Rad said with a forced light smile. "Okay," Thomas said as he grabbed his backpack. The two dogs left the school and went to Rad's truck. Rad helped his nephew into the truck and then got in himself. "What are you hungry for mate?" Rad asked nervously. "A cheeseburger!" Thomas cheered happily. "That's great mate, I know a good place," Rad said as he hesitates to start his truck.

Rad starts his truck and then drives to a burger shop that was very kid and adult friendly. Rad parked his truck and helped Thomas down from his truck and went inside. "Alright mate, find us a booth and I'll order our food," Rad said while kneeling down to Thomas's level. "Okay," Thomas said as he went over to a booth by the window. Rad sighed and stood up as he went to order he looked at Thomas who was coloring on a coloring page at the table. "Can I take your order sir?" A waitress asked. "Yeah, can I get two Cheeseburgers and two chocolate milkshakes," Rad said, now getting out his wallet. "Sure thing;" the waitress said as she took the order and then Rad paid for it.

Rad then went and sat with his nephew. "Hey mate, what are you coloring?" Rad asked, looking at the page. "A knight who is fighting a dragon," Thomas answered while coloring. "Oh, that's great mate," Rad said softly as a tear fell from his muzzle. "Did you and Dad play knights?" Thomas asked. "Yeah... yeah we did when we were kids before your Unclr Stripe was born," Rad replied as more tears fell. Thomas then looked up at his uncle and noticed he was crying. "Uncle Rad why are you crying?" Thomas asked confused. Before Rad could answer the waitress came with the order. "Here we go mates," The waitress said with a smile. "I'm sorry can we get this to go?" Rad asked looked up at the waitress with tears in his eyes. The waitress knew something was wrong and nodded before leaving to get a box. "We're not eating here?" Thomas asked confused. "Actually I need to talk to you in a private place mate," Rad said placing his hand on his nephew's hand. "Oh okay," Thomas said as he gathered his things.