Sideways

Chapter 45 Rebel Heart

Riley i

Brooklyn - New York, December 28th, 1992- Five years old

Riley turns his gaze towards the sound of his mother knocking, his eyes meeting his mother's as she stands there with a determined look on her face. Her arm extends, and her hand gently raps against the door, the heavy wooden surface responding with a muffled thud. He sees her shift her weight from one foot to the other, impatient with waiting, as she lifts her wrist, checking the time.

The heavy door slides open, and his grandfather gets down on one knee to hug him. "How's my little SEAL doing!" his grandfather exclaims as he presses his lips to Riley's cheek and blows a raspberry into his skin, prompting a giggle from the little boy.

"Dad, come on. You know how I feel about him being a soldier," Catherine exhales sharply as her father lets go of his grandson and wraps his arms around her.

"I know, sweetie, I know. I was just kidding," Joseph says as they pull apart from the hug. He watches as his grandson shuffles into his apartment. Joseph chuckles loudly at his grandchild's outfit.

Riley is wearing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle footed pajamas, with all four turtles' faces peppered everywhere. The hood is a green mask with an orange headband. On his back is an X-Men the Animated Series backpack, with Alf's snouted face sticking out because the brown-furred plushie is too large to fit inside.

Joseph chuckles heartily as the young boy sprints towards the couch. His little legs propel him forward, helping him gather enough speed to make it onto the high couch. He takes a running leap and lands on the plush cushion of the gray couch, sinking into it.

"Are you sure you don't mind watching him?" Catherine asks her father.

Joseph scoffs and waves her off. "I'm not working today, and I would love nothing more than to spend some time with one of my grandchildren, even if he is sick. Speaking of my grandchildren," he reaches out and holds his hand against Catherine's prominent belly. "How is number three doing?"

"All is well."

"And their father?" Joseph rolls his eyes and asks.

"Look, Dad, I know I fucked up. At least this time, I know I was the one who initiated it. But I swear the man must have super sperm. We had sex once, I was on birth control, and he wore a condom. I do not know how this happened ... again." Catherine said as she unpacked a bag and placed a bottle of pink bubble-gum-flavored medicine, cotton swabs, and a specialized soap on the table.

"What did the Doctor say?" Joseph asks while looking over at his grandson, who has already unpacked his book bag. He places Alf seated on the couch next to him as he watches an early morning cartoon.

"It's chickenpox," Catherine sighs, "His whole kindergarten class has had them. It's going around."

Joseph shakes his head, "Not what I meant, Katie." He points at the couch at his grandson. They were all concerned about Riley and his development. Just like when he was born, he is quiet and doesn't make a fuss. He has taken to keeping to himself and sometimes doesn't interact much with anyone unless someone seeks out his engagement.

Wesley noticed more than she did, which upset Catherine even more because she was always worried that she wasn't doing enough for the boys.

Wesley always reminded her that he was there. She reluctantly let him take care of Riley for a few days before and during the Christmas break while she focused on Joseph and finalized things at the trading firm before her parental leave. She was devastated when he brought his concerns to her.