Sports Day

Dec glanced at his watch again for what he thinks was the fifth time during that meeting. He sees that his son's Sports Day was about to begin.

He should be getting ready to compete with his 6 year old son, Haydn; he shouldn't be stuck in a boring meeting.

Dec threw a pleading look at Ant, but Ant can't do anything to help his friend. Dec tried to focus on what the executive producer was saying, but all he could think about was his son without a partner at his school games.

-

Meanwhile at school, Haydn sat at the picnic tables as he watched the other kids get ready for the games with one of their parents. Once again, his dad was late and now he can't play like the other kids because he doesn't have a partner.

A few tables away, Haydn's Year Two teacher, Stephen, noticed that he wasn't warming up like the other students.

"Ah, I see that Haydn Donnelly is once again alone on Sports day," Mrs. Harrington, the headmistress, observed. "No surprise really. It's happened for the past two years he's attended this school." She shook her head. "That's the trouble with having a celebrity for a father; celebrities never have the time. It sure doesn't help that the mother isn't in the picture."

Stephen frowned at the headmistress' scathing remarks. He's never met Haydn's father nor does he know much about him -despite his high profile status - but he felt the need to defend one of his best students' parent. "With all due respect, I'm sure that Mr. Donnelly will show up for his son. We don't know the circumstances as to why he isn't here yet."

"I'm just saying it as I see it, Mr. Mulhern. This has happened before," the headmistress replied coldly.

"Well, if you don't mind, I wish to be Haydn's partner for the games while his father hasn't arrived." It came out more as a demand rather than a request.

"Do whatever you want, Mr. Mulhern. But I'm giving you a head's up already, you'll end up playing games with that child all day because his father will never show," Mrs. Harrington said.

Tired of the headmistress' hostility, Stephen approached the young boy. He placed a hand on Haydn's shoulder to get his attention. The boy turned around in excitement, but was disappointed to see that it was only his teacher. "Oh, hi Mr. Mullers."

At any other time, Stephen would have smiled at Haydn's inability to say his name, but seeing the disappointment on his face just tugged at his heartstrings. He offered a small smile to the boy as he sat next to him. "Hello, Haydn. Why aren't you warming up for the games?"

"There's no point. My dad's not here and he probably won't show up. Again," Haydn said grumpily.

"Well...what if I said that you have a partner?"

"Really?! Who?" the boy's face lit up in excitement.

"Me. That's if you don't mind. I'll only be your partner until your dad comes," Stephen explained to the boy.

The grin on the boy's face grew bigger. "That would be awesome! Thanks, Mr.Mullers!" He hugged his teacher tightly as show of appreciation. "Come on! Let's go kick butt!"

Haydn pulled his teacher off the bench and made him do stretches with him as they waited for the games to start. Stephen watched as the boy jumped up and down, concentration etched on his face, as part of his warm-up.

It wasn't long before the games started. The pairs of adults and children lined up in the starting line to start the first game: the piggyback race. Stephen knelt down to the ground to allow Haydn to latch onto his back. He held onto Haydn's legs to make sure that he does not fall off.