Parker

Chapter 32

"No more." Cyrus sobbed as he laid across the kitchen table.  Tears streamed down his cheeks and his backside glowed bright red. "I'm sorry." He said his voice filled with pain.

Rodger griped the paddle in his hand, the one without holes, as he debated if he was going to give the boy another swat. His plan was to give him ten for his actions and lying but he found himself moved with compassion for him.

Seven is enough he thought. "Alright Cyrus you're done." Rodger said much to the boy's relief.  "Pull your pants up and turn around."

The boy pulled his pants up and turned around. His body shook as he looked at him, shame danced across his face. "I'm sorry Rodger." Cyrus wept. He then put his arms around him and cried into his shoulder. "I'm sorry for what I did."

"I know." Rodger said in a consoling tone as he rubbed his back. "I know buddy." Rodger pulled away from him and looked in his puffy red eyes as he said "Can you tell me why you did it?" He asked. "Haven't I've been good to these past few months."

"Yes, sir." Cyrus nodded. He had to admit that Rodger had treated him a  lot of better than his own father has. He's been loving, kind, attentive. Everything he wished that that the sperm donor he called dad was. "You've been great."

"Then why Cyrus?" Rodger asked. He found himself gripping the paddle tightly again. The urge to put him back over the table and finish the paddling was overwhelming. No he thought I'm not going to give into my anger. I almost made that mistake with Parker, I won't make it with Cyrus.  He placed the paddle on the table.  "Why would you do something like that?" He said with disappointment in his voice. "I thought you were better than that."

"Because I was mad." Cyrus said as waves of guilt and shame pummeled him.

"At me?"

"No?" Cyrus shook his head. "At my mom." He wiped his eyes. "She pushing you on me, saying how you were going to be my father." He then sniffed. "I didn't want you to be my father so I decided..."

"To sabotage our relationship." Rodger said. His words were like a punch in the gut. He wanted to be this boy's father so badly. It killed him that he did not want him. That he would go to such lengths to get rid of him.

"Yes, sir." Cyrus said. "I wanted you to think she betrayed you."

"Instead I blamed Parker."

"I'm sorry." Cyrus said. "I didn't mean to get Parker in trouble. I only wanted you mad at my mom."

"So I would break up with her." Rodger said.

"Yes." Cyrus said. "Please don't hate me." He begged as he broke down crying. "I'm sorry for what I did please don't hate me."

Rodger took him into his embrace again and held him tightly. "I don't hate you, Cyrus." He said. "I'm disappointed in you, I'm hurt by what you did but I don't hate you."

"Thank you." He pulled away and rubbed his eyes.

"You're welcome." I just wish you wanted me as a father as much I want you as a son. "Come on you need to apologize to your mom and Parker."

"Yes, sir." Cyrus nodded.

Roger placed his hand on his back and the two walked into the living room where Miranda waited for them. "Where's Parker?"

"He's outside." Miranda said as she stood up. "He was uncomfortable so I let him wait on the porch."

"I understand." I would have been uncomfortable too if I was in his place. "Cyrus has something to say to you."

Cyrus walked over to his mom. His body began to tremble, his voice broke as he said "I'm sorry mom. I'm sorry for what I did, I'm sorry for lying about it." He then hugged her.