Parker

Chapter 51

This was a bad idea Rodger thought as walked out of the restaurant. I should have listened to my instincts and canceled with the others and taken out Parker out to eat so we can talk.

Then again if I just told Parker that I was dating in the first place and included him in our outings over a month ago I would not be in this situation. My son would not be hurting and I would not be standing on the sidewalk wondering where he ran off too.

Rodger looked around the parking lot but saw no sign of him. However he did the white car that had been following them sitting on the other side of the parking lot.

Perhaps I should ask them where he went Rodger thought.

Rodger started to walk down the sidewalk looking in the shops hoping that he ducked into one of them.

Come on buddy where are you? He thought as he slowly became distress. Come on come on where are you. He then looked into the window of a small bookstore and saw him sitting on a couch looking despondent.  He felt pity for the boy and shame for driving him to such a state.

Rodger walked into the shop where he was greeted by the sales person. Parker looked up hearing his father's voice, he stood up and placed his hands in his pockets as his shoulders slouched.

"I'm sorry." The pensive boy said. "I'm sorry for what I said, I'm sorry that I embarrassed you, I'm sorry that I ruined lunch."

"You didn't embarrass me." Rodger said as he sat down. Parker looked at him for a second. "I embarrassed myself by not telling you that I was dating Miranda, by keeping our  relationship from you, by the pain I've caused you." Rodger noticed that the clerk behind the counter was watching them. She quickly looked away and pretended that she was doing something on the register. "And you didn't ruin anything. You didn't say anything wrong and you have every right to be upset."

"Thank you." Parker said.

"You're welcome."

"I guess we should go back to the restaurant."

"When you're ready." He then stood up. "Until then why don't we check out their graphic novel selection." Parker looked at him confused. "You still like Fantasy graphic novels right?"

"Yes." Parker said as he stood up.

"I liked them too when I was your age." He said as he walked over to the fantasy section while the clerk continued to keep a suspicious eye on them. 

What's her problem? Parker thought.

"Let's see if they have it." Rodger said as he looked at the fantasy which consisted of three shelves. "There it is." Rodger pulled a thick novel which was titled Elfquest volume one. "I loved this series as a kid." Memories flooded his mind as he flipped through the pages. "Have you ever read it?

"No." Parker shook his head.

"I think you will like it." Rodger handed it to him.

"I'll give it a try." Parker said as he took from him. Looks interesting he thought.

"Are you ready to go back."

"Yeah." He said with emotion in his voice.

"You don't have to if you don't want to."

"I want to." Parker said.

"Let's go check out."

Parker was about to leave the aisle when another graphic novel caught his eye. It was not in the Fatansy section but one aisle down in what constituted the detective mystery section. "Can I get this too."

He picked up a graphic novel titled Johnny Dollar.

"Sure buddy." 

The two walked up the counter and purchased the novels. Once they were gone the clerk said "Weirdos." She then looked back at the book she was reading.