Parker

Chapter 45

Parker walked into his Social Studies class trying to put everything that has happened out of his mind. He did not want to think about his anger towards his father, how much he missed Christine, or how much Forest freaked him out.

I definitely don't want to think about that look he gave me in the hall.  A chill went up his spine as he thought about that malicious look.  A terrifying look that made him question if Forest was really human.

Whatever he is he is pure evil.

Stop it he told himself. Stop thinking about him. Just focus on class. That is all that matters right now.

Upon entering the class he discovered that their teacher was sick and they were having a substitute. A substitute known for not sticking to the lesson plan left by the teacher and doing whatever he wanted.

Which was normally a lot more fun than whatever the teacher had planned.

Parker was feeling more relaxed already.

He had just sat in his seat when the school's secretary's voice came over the classroom loud speaker summoning him to the school office. He felt his heart sunk into sink into his chest as he thought great now what?

A couple of his fellow students smirked as he got up and walked out of class. A feeling of dread overcame him as he stepped into the hall hoping not to find Forest there laying in wait.

Thankfully he was not.

He made his way to the office where he saw a Freshman sitting on a bench outside. Tears were streaming down his face as he looked straight ahead. His heart went out to him as he thought he had been in his position a few times.

A sick sensation filled his stomach as he thought that he might be joining him on that bench.  He then rubbed his backside as he stepped in.

Parker looked at the secretary as he walked in and said "You called me ma'am."

"Parker." A voice said.

He snapped his head around and his eyes blinked in surprise. "Mom?"

"Hey honey." The forty something year old woman said as she walked over to him. She then gave him a tight hug. At first he did not know what to do and then hugged her back.

"Is everything alright?" He said with concern in his voice. He could count on one hand the number of times his mom had come to the school. Though his siblings schools she had been too plenty of times.

"Yes everything is fine." The woman's hazel eyes gazed lovingly upon him. She then rubbed his back as they walked over to the chairs were her purse sat. "I was dropping off some treats at Graham's school for a class party." Graham was his fifteen year old step brother who attended a nearby school. "And I thought I would drop these off for you."

She then picked up a container that had cupcakes and cookies in it.

"Wow." Parker said overcome with emotion as he took the container. "Thanks."

"You're welcome baby."

"Its been a long time since you called me that." Parker said. He thought how he had missed hearing that. "What's going on?" His voice cracked as he spoke.

"Nothing." She said. "I know you had a bad weekend with your father and I wanted to see if you are okay."

Parker did not say anything. He just grasped the container tightly.

"Also I heard how Spencer treated you Sunday." Her jaw tightened as she spoke. "And I wanted to say I'm sorry. He should have never treated you like that."

"Thank you." His body began to tremble with emotion. Is this real he thought. Is my mom really here delivering me cookies and cupcakes while being concerned with my well being. Apologizing for my siblings mistreatment of me.  Or this a dream? Did I fall asleep in class and I am dreaming this.

She then touched the side of his face. "Are you sure you are okay?"

"I never said I was." Parker said.

"No, you didn't." She said as she studied his face.

The door opened and two boys walked in with their heads down. They walked over to the secretary and informed her that they had been sent to the office by their teacher to see the dean of boys. Parker could feel the fear emanating off of them.

"Let's talk outside." His mom said.

"Okay."

The two walked into the lobby. The one boy was still sitting on the bench but his head was hung he left a small cry. They then walked to another bench by the front door and sat down.

"Tell me what's wrong?" She asked.

"Where do I start?" Parker smirked.

"Anywhere you want." She rubbed the back of his head.

"I'm frustrated." Parker said.

"With your father."

"Yes." Parker said. "I'm so mad at him right now for what he did. He says he is sorry but I can't stop being angry with him and I don't know how to stop being angry with him." His voice then cracked. "And I'm scared. I'm scared that I am going to lose him to his girlfriend's son and our houseguest."

"You're father loves you Parker." She said in an assuring tone. "You are not going to lose him."

"I wish I could believe that." Parker said. "I really do." He sniffed back the tears that wanted to break forth. "But I can't help being afraid that he going to cast me aside for a new family like you did."

Her eyes filled with pain. "I didn't...." She cut herself off. "I guess I did didn't I."

"Yes." Parker said. "You turned your back on me. Just like Spencer, Abigail, and Martha turned their back on me. And now I'm scared dad is going to do the same."

"I'm sorry honey."

A frustrated sigh escaped from him. "Yeah dad's sorry too." Parker said. "But that does not change the fact that you both hurt me."

"Do you want to come live with me?"

"No." Parker said. "I want to live with dad." He told her. "I just want to know that I am important to him." He looked at her. "To you." He looked at the trophy case across the lobby. "I want to be held. And not because I just got a spanking."

"Come here." She then pulled him closer and held him in her arms. "Again I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I have ignored you, that I have not shown you how much you are important to me and I promise I will change." She then kissed his head. "I will prove to you how important you are to me."

Parker pulled away. "Please don't let me down."

"I won't." She said. "And talk to your dad, tell him how you feel. Believe me he is not going to toss you aside."

"I'll talk to him." Parker said.

"Do you want to come over this weekend." She asked. "How about Saturday night we go out to eat just you and me. A mother and son date like we use to do when you were little."

"We never did mother and son dates." Parker said.

"We didnt." She said confused.

"No." Parker shook his head. "You did those with Spencer." And probably your other sons but not me.

She then held his hand. "Well we will do one this Saturday." She then gave his hand a slight squeeze.

"Okay." Parker then said. "I should get back to class."

"Class can wait." She said. "Why don't we talk for a little more."

"I would like that." Parker said. After all its just a substitute. I won't be missing much.

He then leaned back and started to tell her about the last couple of days