Parker

Chapter 66

Graham and his family had left the shop fifteen minutes later. He gave Parker a wave as he walked out who waved back. He found himself thinking how he looking forward to attending his piano recital. And wondering if he should invite his mom and them to his baseball gamex this summer.

Or will she tell him that they are too busy again like they did every other summer.  Amazing how they were too busy for every game over the last five years.

And same when I played basketball in junior high.

"You okay?"

"Yeah." Parker said. "I'm just wondering if I should bother to ask mom and the others to my baseball games this year."

"It wouldn't  hurt to ask."

"Yes it can." Parker said with a bit of bitterness in his voice. "It hurts when they are always too busy or do they say they will come and don't and say that something came up suddenly."

Parker looked away and softly said "I wish I was the thing that came up suddenly."

"I'm sorry."

"Sorry, sorry." A frustrated Parker said.  "I'm sick and tired of everyone being sorry." His fists tightened and the only thing that Rodger could think that he was glad that cell phone was not in his hand. He then chided himself that it was not time for jokes. "You know what I would like?" Before Rodger could ask Parker said "That people would stop doing crap to hurt me in the first place."

"Then no one would have to be sorry."

"I would like that too buddy."

Parker grabbed his last onion ring as he muttered. "It'll never happen though."

An awkward silence passed between them for a few seconds. He then broke it with a question that was on his mind. "I've been meaning to ask you bud." Rodger said as he took he drink. His cup was almost empty and he debated if he should get a refill.  "Who at your school has it out for you?"

"Out for me?" He questioned.

"Who is trying to hurt you with all these rumors?" Rodger asked.

"Oh." Parker took a sip of his soda. "I have no idea really."

"Really?" Rodger said surprised.

"Yeah." Parker said. "I can't think of one person who would hate me that much." Wesley maybe, Christine definitely but no me. "People tend to like me or not notice me." A look of discomfort crossed his face.

"What?"

"Well there is one person who is out to get me." Parker shifted in his seat.

"Who?"

"Forest." Parker told him.

"The head prefect." Rodger said.

"Head boy prefect." Parker corrected. "India Turner is the head girl prefect." He then said "But that's not important. He is out to get me."  He swallowed hard as he once again saw that look in Forest's eyes. That sadistic look that made him want to flee to the darkest corner and hide.

"You think he is spreading these lies about you?"

Parker thought a moment. "No." He said shaking his head. "Spreading rumors and idle gossip is not his style.  But he is out to get me."

"How so?"  His cheeks turned red which caused Rodges's concern to increase tenfold. "What's going on Parker?"

"I think...."  No you don't think you think you know beyond a shadow of a doubt. He cleared then cleared his throat and said "Forest is looking for a reason for to spank me."

Rodger did not react. "Is he?"

"Yes." Parker said. "I can see it in his eyes when he looks at me. There are times I expect to lick his lips like a dog looking at a steak on the kitchen counter."

"Interesting description." Rodger said.

"That's how I feel." Parker said. "This morning when I was late he was estactic about stopping me and making me face the wall while he wrote me."

"But he didn't spank you for it?"

"No." Parker shook his head. "Tardiness is not a spanking offense."

"Has he ever spanked you?"

"Just the two times you know about." Parker answered. "When I was pulled out of class for misbehaving back in September and then for the prank Zebulon and I played in November."

"And did he spank Zebulon too?"

"Oh yeah." Parker said. "Forest never passes up the chance to spank someone."

"But he hasn't done anything inappropriate to you?" Rodger asked

"Thankfully no." Parker said. "I think its all about control for him. He enjoys dominating people."

"He sounds like a younger version of Mister Gaines." Rodger said.

To his surprise Parker then said "Yeah but I think Mister Gaines has done some inappropriate stuff to Carson."

"Same." Rodger said. "But let's table that for now." He took another drink. "Does Zane know?"

"Yes." Parker said.

"But he hasn't done anything about it."

"No." Parker shook his head. "Zane, Jakeem, Kip, and the others are too scared to go up against him. He weilds a lot of power and he can make your life miserable. "Like he use to do with Ronnie Moorehouse."

"Who is Ronnie Moorehouse?"

"He was a kid who use to go to the school." Parker replied. "Who Forest seemed to find several opportunities to spank." His body tensed. "Who looks more like he could be my brother than Spencer does."

Parker saw his father pull his cell phone out and began to compose a text.

"Who are you texting?"

"Dean LaMee." Rodger said. "I'm telling him that I am withdrawing my permission for Forest to use corporal punishment on you. That I fear for your safety and I will pull you out if I have to."

"Thank you." Parker said feeling a bit relieved.

He put his phone back in his pocket. "I will talk to him about Zane tomorrow." He said. "Sounds like this young man has too much power."

"They all do dad." Parker said.

Have the other prefects spanked you?"

"No." He said. "Well Dustin who was one of the prefects last year but no one else." He became uncomfortable again. "But Zane might."

"For what?"

"He told me that he wanted my demerits to stay under twenty five." Parker said. "I'm guess if I don't he will cane me.  Or just make me stand in the corner like he normally does.

"How about neither." Rodger said.

"I'm good with neither."

Again the two fell silent. "Is there anything yes you want to tell me."

"Yes." He said hesitantly.

"Go ahead."

"I'm scared." He answered.

"Of what?"

"Losing you?" He then became emotional. "To Carson and Cyrus."