𝑴𝒚 𝑶𝒃𝒔𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝑩𝒐𝒔𝒔

Four

I parked my car and got out. All the kids were running around, playing as they waited for their kids. I gazed at the double doors and itched my scalp. I spotted Axel and his own little heard. Three daughters latching to him like magnets.

I sometimes forget we have to do pickup the same hour. Sometimes I want to avoid his talkative side, most times, I don't mind it. He's a good soul.

"Well look who it is!" He beams. His youngest, Aura, due to him introducing me to them when we bucked heads here for the first time, kept tugging his hand. As for the eldest two, Flower and Bella, went straight to the car.

They've spoken to me a few times. Nothing more past a good morning or a good afternoon. Aura never really spoke, she just waves. It had me in speculation that maybe she's deaf or can't speak simply.

Aura drew her mother's card. Flower and Bella had everything he had.

"Mr.Pone."

"You always do this. Axel man, Axel is fine." I just nodded in agreement.

"Apologies."

"Here for the boys I assume."

"Yes, I am."

"Still no wife?" He jokes. I chuckled nervously.

"No...no wife. Um...I'm fine this way."

"Really?"

Before I could answer I saw them. The three of them. Amper, Ashton and Allen. However, Allen was in tears. Amper and Ashton was shoving each other and arguing. Sometimes I wonder if I'm a terrible father. They always fight and I never know why.

They reached me but Allen went straight for the car. Coincidence or not, our cars are parked right next to each other.

"Allen, hey, hey hey. Hey, what's wrong?" He just cried. "What's the matter?" I ask Amper and Ashton.

"He's just being a big baby." Amper says.

"Nothing." Says Ashton.

Again, they always do this. "Allen what's wrong?" Ashton and Amper avoided me by going in the car. I'll deal with them later. I wiped his tears dry, getting to his level.

"Talk to me, what happened?"

He said nothing. Feeling defeated I stood up. "Passenger seat." Allen waltzed off and got in the passenger seat. I pinch the bridge of my nose, feeling overwhelmed already.

I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked at Axel and I could see worry on his features. "Seems like you could use the help."

"No-

"Tell you what, tomorrow night I want you and the boys to come over for dinner. It'll be nice won't it?"

"I appreciate the gesture but-

"You have no say Mayor. I'll stop by if I have to." He patted my shoulder and walked off. There really is no avoiding him.

___

Later I found out the reason why Allen had been crying. According to him, he'd been made fun of his stammer and Ashton and Amper continued to poke fun. I know he feels left out half the time due to his features being more extravagant than theirs.

I felt something hit my forehead and focused my gaze in front of me. "Sorry dad." Ashton says.

"No playing with your food."

"Sorry." He mutters. Amper laughed at him, mocking silently. Allen stayed to himself, partially playing with his food. I sighed. Maybe I do need help? But I've been fine taking care of them for the past five years.