Raising Teens

Chapter 17

We're in a van across the street again.

"Well?" Katie demands. "Did you live here?"

I nod.

"I hardly remember it. I was probably your sons age. What's his name, anyways?"

She hesitates.

"Nathan." She says. "His name is Nathan."

"Alright." I say. "Let's go."

She looks scared.

I get out though, and everyone follows me.

I go up and ring the bell.

The bitch that answers the door looks familiar.

"Can I help you?" she asks.

"I'm looking for my nephew." I say. "He's three, and his name is Nathan."

She hesitates.

"You look familiar." She says. "What's your name?"

"Brecklyn." I fold my arms across my chest.

She studies me for a long time.

"Did you live here?" she asks.

"Probably." I say. "Look, is Nathan here or not?"

"Yeah, uh, let me get him."

She walks off, and when she comes back, she has a little boy with her. He has bright brown eyes and dirty blonde hair.

One look at him, and I can tell he's Katie's kid.

He's got her nose, her eyes, and her lips.

He looks up at me, grinning.

Katie is crying.

I don't know what to do.

"Hi." He says. "I'm Nathan."

He's so adorable.

Caden

I've never seen how my parents act with young kids. I don't remember.

I wonder if they played with us when we were little.

I feel like Dad did, but I don't know about Mom.

Mom looks to Dad, and she's biting her lip. He squeezes her hand.

She looks at him, and then she squats down.

"Hey buddy." She smiles. "My name is Brecklyn. I know your Mommy."

He hesitates, and his fingers move to his mouth. He's nervous.

Do kids get scared?

Probably.

"It's okay. I'm nice, I promise." Mom holds her hand out. He stands there a second, and then sticks his thumb in his mouth and carefully creeps out onto the porch.

He sits down cross legged in front of her.

"You know my Momma?" he whispers.

"Yes, I've known her for almost twenty years." She says.

He looks down at his hands.

"This much?"

"Well, that much, combined with this much." She holds up her ten fingers.

He looks at his hands, and then at hers.

He's quiet for a second. His thumb goes back in his mouth.