The Forgotten Child, The Found Child

Chapter 5

"Hey step-doofus how about you get out of my bathroom!" Abby yelled as she beat on the bathroom door early the next morning.

"Only if you ask nicely and say please," Adam called from inside.

"I swear when I get my hands on you, you are going to regret it," Abby shouted back.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa...what is going on here?" Nikki came running out of her and Victor's bedroom still in her robe, "What is with all the shouting?"

"Adam, the step-moron, is in my bathroom...and I have to get ready for soccer practice or I am going to be late," Abby whined.

"Abby first of all there is no need for name calling and second how about you try asking politely," Nikki recommended.

"But Mom..." Abby moaned.

"Abigail Newman," Nikki gave her the look that told her she better not say anything else before she tried talking to her brother nicely.

"Fine," Abby replied as she turned to the door, "Step-mor...I mean Adam may I please use the bathroom...now?"

The door opened almost instantly, "Why yes you may, your highness," Adam sarcastically bowed as he walked past.

Abby rolled her eyes, but rushed in and slammed the door. Leaving Nikki and Adam alone in the hallway, "Adam, honey, why didn't you use your own bathroom?" Nikki asked.

"The shower wasn't working," Adam answered.

"I'll have Charlie look at it this afternoon and see what he can do...but next time if this happens again, you are welcome to use mine and your father's bathroom," Nikki offered.

"I'm good," Adam grimaced, "I don't know what has gone down in that shower."

Nikki's eyes widened at her step-son's crass remark, "Excuse me!"

"What? You think I don't know how to use google? And of course my mother told me things...about you and my father," Adam told her.

"Listen to me, young man, I don't know what you think you know about me or your father, but I'll let you in on a little secret...nobody is perfect and the quicker you learn that the better...your father is trying to do right by you, I'm trying to do right by you...but your attitude isn't helping things...I know the game you are playing because I've played a few myself over the years...you aren't so different from us if you would only stop and see the people around you...I know you really want to hate me, your father and your siblings, but if you would only let your walls down you may find yourself feeling other things towards us...this doesn't have to be hell for you if you would give it a chance," Nikki informed him, "Think about it."

"Step-monster," Adam mumbled as she walked away.

"Of course we can make it a living hell for you...think about that too," Nikki shot back over her shoulder.

Adam smirked, *She may be a tough adversary, yet...I'm always up for a challenge.*

88888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888

When Adam finally came down to breakfast, his father was the only other Newman present at the breakfast table. "Good morning son," Victor acknowledged him.

"Good morning Victor," Adam replied knowing that his father despised him calling him by his first name, "Where are Nikki and the blonde demon?"

"Nikki had to take your sister to soccer practice at the high school," Victor informed him.

"She plays soccer?" Adam was a little shocked that the little princess played such an aggressive sport.

"Yes...and she is rather good," Victor smiled with pride, "Do you play any sports? With it being early in the year I'm sure you still have time to try out for whatever sport you like."

"Yeah I played basketball and soccer at my old school...but I probably won't fool with trying out here," Adam shrugged.

"Son I think it would be good for you to have some extracurricular activities to occupy some of your time...if not sports maybe a club...idle hands are the dev...," Victor started to say but thought better of it. He promised Nikki he would try a softer approach with Adam while he was adjusting, "But you have a couple of days to think about...you don't register for school until Monday...you can decide then."

"What preppy, little private school will I be attending?" Adam asked with a raised eyebrow.

"The school you will be attending is the very prestigious Walnut Grove Academy...just like your older brother and sister did and just like Abby is now," Victor informed him.

"Yipee...what a family legacy," Adam answered sarcastically.

"Adam, the Newman name is very respected in this town and I don't want you going around this town insulting the people, the schools or anything else...and the attitude would be a great thing for you to lose as well and never find again...do I make myself clear?" Victor asked sternly.

"Crystal...don't embarrass Daddy and the family name, got it," Adam glared as he stomped off from the table and up the stairs.

Victor tossed his napkin on the table andgroaned, *This is not going to be easy...I'm too old to deal with yet anotherbull-headed teenager,* he thought as he tried to figure out how he was going toget through to his son and make some sort of connection.