Parker

Chapter 90

Rodger walked into his office with Spencer thinking how he wanted to get this over as quickly as possible. He did not have the time or the patience for the younger man's foolishness.

Roger sat behind the desk and was about to say something when Spencer with desperation in his voice said "I need a job."

Roger blinked in surprise. He never thought he would hear those words coming out of Spencer's mouth. He could tell that it actually pained him to say them.

"Meredith won't let me come back home until I get a job." His voice conveying a different kind of pain. It was killing him to be kicked out of his house, to be separated from Meredith and his children, to be suffering the consequences of his actions.

"Then I guess you should start filling out applications." Rodger said having a hard time to feel any sympathy for him. All he could think was all the times that he tried to warn him that Meredith would not put up with his laziness for long. How he continually turned a dear ear to his advice, dismissed him, reacted to his counsel with annoyance. He so badly wanted to say I told you so but refrained. "The gas station next door is hiring. The manager's name is Katherine."

His nose twitched in disgust. "I don't want to work at some filthy gas station." He said incredously. "How could you suggest such a thing?"

"How about Target." Rodger said keeping his voice neutral. "McDonald's."

"I don't want to work for Target or McDonald's either." Spencer said flustered.

"Then where would you like to work?'" Rodger asked but already knew the answer.

"Here." Spencer said forcefully. "I want to work here."

"Sorry I don't have any openings right now." Rodger said.

"What do you mean you don't have any openings?" The younger man said indignantly.

"What it sounds like." Rodger said. "I dont have any openings right now."

"The sign in the lobby says you have a position available in the parts departmen." He said thrusting his finger at the wall which the lobby was on the other side of.

"Yes and it's been filled." Rodger said.

"Filled." Spencer said with a slight sneered. Sure it has he thought skeptically.

"Yes filled."

A look of comprehension filled his eyes. "By that Mayhew kid."

"His name is Carson."

"I know what his name is." Spencer said growing flustered. He thought how he had known Carson since he was a young teen. And how him and his entire family gave him the creeps. "Well fire him and give the job to me."

A grin of utter disbelief exploded across his face. "Now why would I do that."

"Because I'm your son." He shouted as slammed the palms of his hands against the desk. "And I need a job more than he does." The desperation grew across his face. "You owe me."

A stunned expression crossed Rodger's face. "I'm sorry did you say I owe you?"

"Yes." The younger man said vehemently.

"And pray tell how do I owe you anything other than my foot up your ass for you impertinence."

"Because...."

Rodger cut him off. "I mean all I have done for the past twenty five years of your life is clothe you, feed you, pay for your education which you squandered." He then got up from behind his desk. "And let's not forget that I not once but twice gave you a job here putting my career and reputation on the line for you." He then walked menacingly towards his son. "And how did you repay me both times?" He asked with fire in his eyes. "By constantly being late, leaving early and  spending most of your time smoking pot in the back lot with Caleb and Mitch. And that's when you decided to show up for work."

He seethed with anger as he said "So no Spencer I don't owe you and I'm not firing a kid who I know who wants this job in order to give it someone who will decide three weeks later that its too much for him."

"I won't dad." Spencer said his voice breaking with emotion. "I promise."

"Your promises mean nothing to me." Rodger said. "Because all you do is break them and let people down."

"Like you are so perfect." He said with a sneer.

"I dont claim to be perfect." Rodger said. "I admit that I've made mistakes. But I'm trying to change to make up for my mistakes."

"Same here."

"Are you?" He questioned. "Or are you pretending to so that Meredith will let you back in the house and when you are back you are going to go back to being that same lazy, unmotivated, selfish person you have always been."

"You don't know what I don't have to listen to this." Spenser said. "I'll find another job without your help and prove to you that I can change."

Spencer then stormed out.

I hope you do son Rodger said I hope you do.