Parker

Chapter 47

Zane was not able to provide Parker with any information about Christine's apparent disappearance. All he knew was that she was called to the office. He did not know why she had been called or why she had not returned. He promised to let him know if he found anything out.

Parker then went to third period with a cloud of worry hanging over him. He found himself unable to lesson as he was consumed with what happened to Christine.

Was she suspended? He questioned. Expelled?

No, that's impossible he thought. Christine would never do anything to get herself into any serious trouble. She might get a few demerits here or there but she is incapable of doing something really bad. She does not have it in her.

Maybe she did not get in trouble? He thought. Maybe something happened to her parents or one of her brothers.

No she would have texted someone then letting them know what was going on.

She would have definitely texted Zane so he could talk me.

No she must have gotten into some kind of trouble. But what he asked himself. What could she have done to merit being suspended or expelled.

An image of Wesley and Christine walked through the parking lot flashed through his mind. Once again he saw the two laughing. Her playfully slapping his arm. Rubbing her hand down his arm.

He found himself wondering if the rumor was true.

No he thought pushing the thoughts from his mind. She would never cheat on you. She wouldn't betray you like that.  Its just a stupid rumor started by some bored individual with nothing else better to do.

She loves me too much to hurt me like that.

But what if the administration believed that the rumor was true and they expelled her. No he thought Wesley would be gone too.

No it had to be something else but what he wondered.

He let out a heavy sigh as he thought that he was going to go mad if he did not find out what happened to her. I need to know what happened to her if she is okay.

Please be okay he thought. I just hope she has been suspended and not expelled. I don't think I could still come to school each day of she wasn't here.

I need her here with me he thought.

Class was over and Parker went to fourth period trying to ignore the whispers and pitying looks. It was a quarter to twelve when Parker found himself called out of class again. He felt a nervous flutter in the pit of his stomach as he walked to the office. He wondered if this had to do with Christine or Wesley or was he in trouble for something else.

The way my day no my week is going it would not surprise me.

Parker walked in and saw his father. "Dad?"

"Hey buddy." Rodger said as he walked over to him.

"Are you here because of Christine?"

"No I'm here to take you to lunch."

"Really?" He felt a stir of excitement inside of him.

"Yeah." Rodger said. "We are meeting Miranda and Cyrus for lunch and Carson will be there too."

"Oh." He said with disappointment in his voice. He wanted it to be just him and his dad.

"Is that okay?" Rodger asked.

"Yeah its fine." He said with little enthusiasm in his voice.

"Are you sure?"q

"I'm sure dad."  Parker nodded.

"Do you need anything from your locker?" Rodger said. "Because I'm taking you out of school for the rest of the day."

"Yes."

"Let's go to your locker and get your things."

They stepped out and Parker then asked. "Did mom call you? Is that why you are here?"

"No." He shook his head. "I mean she called me to tell me she was dropping off cookies but that was it."

"Oh."

"Why?"

"I thought that was why you were picking me up."

"No I'm picking you up because I made lunch plans with Miranda and Cyrus and wanted to include you."

"Thank you." He said managing a slight smile.

Rodger stopped and looked at him. "What's wrong?"

"Everything." Parker said his voice breaking.  "But I don't want to talk about it here." He thought how class would be out in ten minutes and he did not want to have this conversation with students flooding the hallway around them.

"Okay." Rodger said and they started walking. "How did it go with your mom?"

"It went fine." Parker replied. "Nice actually."  His mood turned somber as he said "I can't help but think it if wasn't for Graham's party I would never seen her today though."

"Or sure she would just have found another excuse to come see you." Roger said trying to sound positive but he had to admit that he had that thought too. But he kept it to himself. Just like he kept about how interesting it was that her sudden interest in Parker occurred around the same time he revealed that he had a new girlfriend.

Just a coincidence I'm sure.

"You think?"

"Yes, I do." Rodger sakd hoping that his ex was sincere and that it was sincere in trying to fix her relation was Parked and that it was not some ruse to pump him for information.  rubbed his son's back.

I hope she would not use our son like that.

They then walked up to the locker and the noticed the combination. 9-15-79.  "My birthday?" Rodger blinked in surprise. He could not help but be touched at that moment.

"Yeah." Parker said as he pulled the lock releasing it. "Christine's birthday is the combination to my gym locker." He opened the door and Roger noticed the pictures that adorn the inside of the door. A couple were of Christine of course.  There was then a picture of him and Zane and another of him and Jakeem. His eyes then fell one of the of them on a fishing trip they went on a couple of years ago.  He could not help but be sadden at the fact that he had none with his mother or siblings..

Parker pulled out a couple books and a folder.  He then grabbed the container and opened it and held it out to his father.

"Thank you." Rodger said as he took a cookie.

Parker then closed the container and relocate his door.  They started to walk again. The dismissal bell then went off once they reached the lobby.

Parker was about to say something to his father when he saw her. She was exiting the library with about ten other students.  His heart began to pound and palms began to sweat.

Their eyes then met and Parker coughed out "Christine."