Growing Up A Graham

Chapter 4

Brayden:

"Dad," I walked into his office, "I finished all of the chores," I mumbled

He looked up from his paperwork and pulled his glasses off before clearing his throat, "You washed all of the cars, mowed the lawn, and cleaned the pool?"

"Yeah," I mumbled

"That's not how you address me."

"Yes Sir."

"Have a seat," he nodded towards the leather chair sitting in front of his desk

I huffed before taking a seat and looking down at my all white OVO Jordan's.

He glared at me for a moment as he sat up straight in his chair, "Do we need to have the sex talk again?"

"No, hell no," I said lowly

"I've taught you how to protect yourself Brayden. I'm not trying to be a grandpa for a while."

"I understand."

"Now, I'm not upset with you, but your mother wanted you to be punished. I'll give you your phone back," he slid it across the desk towards me, "I suggest you delete those messages before she sees them."

"You went through my phone?!"

"Damn right I did, I'm the one who pays the bill every month."

I decided on not challenging him on that. I was slightly embarrassed because I'm pretty sure he saw those texts between Royalty and I, along with the pictures I sent to her.

"You can go now," he waved me off

"Wait, can I ask you something first?"

"What's up?" He raised an eyebrow

"How long are you staying this time around?"

"I'm not going anywhere, and if I need to make a trip, you're coming with me."

"Sounds good," I smiled, "You want to hoop later on?"

"Yeah, later. Go see if your mom has anymore chores for you."

I'm not about to do that.

I walked out of the office and went straight to the kitchen to find something to eat. As I searched through the fridge for some left over pizza I felt something tug on my cargo shorts. Looking down it was little Riley with tears in her eyes. I knelt down to her height before asking her what was wrong.

"Mr. Piggy is sick."

"Well it's a good thing I'm a doctor, let's go see what's wrong with him."

She grabbed my hand and lead me up to her Lion King themed room. I walked over to her stupid hamster's cage, where he laid in the food bowl lifeless.

"Hand me your stethoscope," I pointed to her Doc Mcstuffins kit

"The circle thing with the strings?" She questioned

"Yeah," I chuckled

She quickly handed it to me and I put it up to the hamster.

"Save him Bray!"

"I'm sorry to tell you this Riley," I said dramatically, "Mr. Piggy, is dead."

"Nooooo!" She screamed as tears ran down her face

"It's ok Riley," I pulled her into a hug, "He's in a better place with lots of nuts and a really big wheel to run in," I assured her

"We have to have funeral for him!" She demanded