One Detention Saved My Life

Chapter 32

I walk into Dad's apartment at ten o'clock sharp. The lights in the living room are on and Dad sits on the sofa watching the news.
"Whatcha watchin?" I ask, plopping down next to him.
"It's really quite interesting. My son's on TV."
I look at the big screen and sure enough I'm on TV. I see myself tackling some football players on the field.
"That's not me."
Just then the newscast lady says to Coach Solone, "So you're saying this kid has never played football before?"
"No, unfortunately two of my best football players got in trouble with the law tonight and we were going to have to forfeit, but Tim volunteered to play."
"That kid sounds amazing."
"He is. He helped us win the game 20-10."
"That's incredible. Are you sure he's never played before?"
"Absolutely positive."
"Well, this has been an incredible story. Jennifer Taylor, Channel Eleven news."
The background fades into Steven Cropper forecasting the weather.
"Really that's not you?" Dad says, in a sarcastic tone. I look down at the floor.
"What were you thinking?"
"Brett and Chad got arrested. They needed another player and I didn't know what else to do."
Dad shakes his head. "Why do I have a feeling that you were involved with those boys' arrest?"
"Because I did. You see I joined a rebellion and helped them put cameras all over the locker room."
"Tim, that's an invasion of privacy!"
"I didn't know. I just had a feeling that they were up to something shady. I was right. They kidnapped my friend, Kim."
"Go to your room and think about what you've done."
"I knew you wouldn't understand," I yell, storming out of the room.
How in the world did I get on the news? When I left there weren't any newscasters there. They must have arrived right after I left, but who in there right mind would be looking for a story at this hour? And how did it air so fast? Damn news, got me in trouble. I thought the world was starting to look out for me. I don't care what Dad said about the whole invasion of privacy thing. Kim's safe because of me.

I walk into the Great Pizza with Dad and Kelly feeling awkward. I see Mom and Jimmy sitting in the first warn out booth looking at the menu.
"Hey guys," I say, in a somewhat cheerful voice.
"I see you you kept your promise," Jimmy says, in a somewhat threatening voice. Nobody else seems to notice as Kelly, Dad and I slide into the booth.
"Teresa, how are you today? I just want you to know that my offer still stands of us being friends."
"You brought her."
"Tim said this was a double date. I could say the same about your date."
The waitress, a young ginger with freckles, and blue eyes comes by our table.
"I see three more have joined your party. What can I get you?"
"I'll take a pepsi."
"Kelly and I will both take a water."
The waitress scribbles down our orders and walks away.
"I see you haven't changed a bit," Dad says to Jimmy.
"I have so."
"You're still making threats."
"Not you too," Mom says, looking at Dad.
"Jimmy used to work for me and threatened Tim and my employees. He wanted to get rid of me."
"My names Patrick not Jimmy."
"Oh, that's right. Your full name is Jimmy Patrick Parker."
"Patrick is that true?
Jimmy glares at me and then at Dad. "Yeah, it's true. After Greg fired me I sort of started to go by my middle name. I didn't want people to judge me for the way I acted."
Mom's face turns to anger. "Did you ever love me? Or were you just using me to get even with Greg? Was Tim right when he said you were cruel?"
"I do love you. When I first met you I didn't even know you were Greg's ex-wife. I used to be cruel, but I've changed."
Jimmy's words were lies. Big fat lies. He didn't love Mom. He was using her to make my life miserable.
"I think I'm going to be sick," Mom says, getting up and heading for the restroom. The waitress comes back with our drinks. "Everything okay over here? We ready to order?"
"We'll take a large pepperoni pizza," I say.
She scribbles our order down in her little notepad.
"It should be about twenty to twenty-five minutes," She says, hurrying off.
"Why did you have to do that?" Jimmy yells.
"Teresa has a right to know about the guy she's dating."
"I really liked her."
"Just like you really liked working for me? You're a sick man, Jimmy. Maybe someday you'll think about someone other than yourself."
Jimmy gets upset and purposely spills my Pepsi all over us. It quickly soaks into my pants, making me feel all sticky.
"I think it be best if you leave," Dad says, in a commanding voice.
"Fine," Jimmy yells, storming out of our booth. The door closes behind him just as Mom emerges from the bathroom, eyes red and her face pale.
"I'm such an idiot," Mom says, sitting down next to me.
"No, you're not," Dad replies. "I fell for Jimmy's charm too."
Mom sobs in my arms. Kelly is just sitting there looking helpless.
"I made a horrible mistake," Mom sobs harder.
"I'm sure it's not that bad," Kelly chimes in, patting Mom on the back. It's pretty bad, but it's not my place to say anything.
"I don't even know why you're being so nice to me, Kelly. I've been nothing but mean to you."
"That doesn't matter. You've been through a lot in your life. Some of it I will never understand. Whatever is on your mind you can tell me."
Mom looks up into Kelly's eyes. "I'm pregnant," she whispers. "Pregnant with Patrick's child."
I look over at Dad and his eyes are filled with horror. "That son of a bitch."
"Where is Patrick?"
"He left," I reply.
Mom sniffles. "He's going to abandon me and the baby."
"Even if Jimmy abandons you," Dad says. "Kelly and I will help you take care of the baby."
"That girlfriend of yours shouldn't be getting into my mess."
"I want to help," Kelly chimes. "I always wanted to have children of my own."
"I was wrong about you Kelly. At first all I saw was a hot blonde chick, but now I see something more. I see a friend."
"I see a friend too," Kelly replies, smiling.
"Teresa, I should have stayed sixteen years ago. I should have never abandoned Tim, but now I'm going to make up for it."
"Thank you, Gregory. Now where's the food, the baby and I are starving."
The waitress comes by with our pizza.
"Thank you," I politely say, as the waitress walks away. We all get our pizza and start to chow down. We talk and laugh. It's like what happened earlier never existed. Maybe Mom getting pregnant with the asshole's baby wasn't such a bad thing. I mean, it stopped Mom's hatred for Dad. Heck, it might have changed our lives in ways we never expected.