Parker

Chapter 42

Rodger turned started his car, put it into drive, and was in the process  of pulling out the parking space when he heard the homeroom bell ring. He let out a sigh, hit his brakes and slammed it back into park. He then pulled his phone from his pocket and scrolled down his contacts til he got to school office. 

I better take care of this while I'm thinking about it he mused. He was about to select the school when Miranda's name appeared across the screen bringing a smile to his face. He hit accept and said "Good morning."

"Good morning to you too." Miranda said musically.

"Is everything alright?" Rodger asked.

"Everything is fine." Miranda answered. "For the most part."

Concern filled him. "What's wrong?"

"Cyrus has off of school today." She told him as she looked at Cyrus who was sitting at the kitchen table. "He wants to stay home by himself but considering his behavior of late I really don't feel comfortable with that idea."

"And I'm guessing he is giving you attitude." Rodger said feeling a sense of disappointment towards the boy. He should know better.

"Yes he is giving me a lot of attitude." Miranda replied and the boy looked away from her.

"Do you need me to talk to him?" Rodger said with a slight sigh of frustration.

"Yes, please."

"Put him on." Rodger said.

"He wants to talk to you." Miranda said as she held the phone out to the fifteen year old.

"Well I don't want talk to him." Cyrus said curtly.

Miranda's eyes narrowed. "Take the phone Cyrus." She said but the boy did not move. "Or do I need to get the hairbrush."

Cyrus' look of defiance quickly evaporated and was replaced by a look of fear. He took the phone from her and a approving look filled her eyes as she said "That's better."

"Hey." Cyrus said.

"Hey buddy." Rodger said. "What is going on?"

"Mom is making me go to work with her like I'm a little kid." Cyrus complained.

"No she is making you go to work with her because you screwed up and you have to suffer the consequences."

"But..."

"No, buts Cyrus." Rodger said forcefully. "You messed up and you are being punished for it. Now you have two choices before you. You accept your punishment and have a good attitude or you continue having a bad attitude and be punished further."

Cyrus blinked.

"So what will it be?" Rodger asked.

"I'll..." Cyrus said with shaky voice as his stomach began to somersaults. He didn't want another a session with the hairbrush or with the paddle. "I'll have a good attitude."

"I'm happy to hear that buddy." Rodger said. "Now I better not get any bad reports from your mom."

"You won't sir."

"I hope not." Rodger said. "Now give me back to your mom."

"Yes sir." He then handed the phone to his mom.

"Hello."

"I don't think he will be any trouble for the rest of the day." Rodger said.

"No I don't think he will be." Miranda said. Cyrus looked at the table.  "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Rodger said. "Let me know if he does give you anyone problems."

"I will." Miranda said. He is going to be such a good dad to him she thought. "So how is your first day as general manager going?"

"Actually I'm not at the dealership yet." Rodger said. "I just dropped Parker off at school." He then looked at the clock and saw that it was past seven thirty. I better get going, I don't want to be late on my first day.

He put the car into drive and pulled out of the parking spot.

"How is Parker doing?"

"Okay." He answered as he pulled into the road. "He's still mad at me but he's doing okay."

"Well I'm sure he will forgive you soon so don't lose hope."

"I'll try." Rodger said. "By the way he wants to have dinner with you."

"Just me?"

"Yes." Rodger said. "He wants to get to know you."

"I want to get to know him too." Miranda said. "When?" She felt a twinge of nervousness excitement at the thought.

"How about Friday."

"Friday sounds good."

"Friday it is then." Roger said.

"I look forward to it." Miranda said.

"I'm sure Parker is looking forward to it too." He said with uncertainty in his voice.

"Do you want to meet for lunch?" Miranda asked.

"Yes." Rodger said. "Why don't you and Cyrus come by the dealership at twelve thirty."

"We will." Miranda said.

"Will it be okay if Carson comes too?"

"Of course."

"Great I'll see you at twelve thirty." Rodger said with a smile.  He thought how he looked forward to having lunch with her and his boys.

"See you then." Miranda said.

"See you."

He then disconnected the call. His mind then went went to Carson and he thought how he should check in with him and see how he was doing.

"Call Carson." He said to the car.

"Calling Carson." The robotic voice said.

The phone rang once and he then heard Carson's young voice say "Hey Mister Cole."

"Hey buddy." Rodger said. "Is everything okay?"

"Everything thing is fine sir." Carson said. "I just finished the dishes and cleaned the kitchen."

"Thank you buddy." Rodger said.

"Did you need me to do anything else?"

"No." Rodger said. "Just rest."

"I will sir."

"Also why don't you come by the dealership at twelve thirty and we will go out to lunch."

"Okay." Carson said.

"I'll see you then." Rodger said. "Call me if you need anything."

"I will." Carson said.

The two then disconnected and Rodger turned onto the highway wondering what his first day as manager will be like.

At the school...

Parker burst through the front doors to find no sign of Christine or Wesley. They must be in their homerooms by now he thought.

Or making out in some dark corner a voice in the back of his mind said.

Stop he thought pushing the thought from his mind. Christine wouldn't do that to me. She loves me.

The late bell rang.

I better get to home room he told himself and began to run down the hallway.

"Stop!" A voice commanded from behind causing him to freeze in place. He then turned and his mouth went dry as he saw who was approaching him.

"Forest." He said as fear swelled up in his chest.

"Parker." Forest said as he grinned. Parker felt a cold shiver race up his spine as the older boy drew closer.

Please don't beat me he silently pleaded as a lump grew in his throat.