I Choose You : A New Chapter

Alister King

Ben looked around anxiously to keep an eye out. He wasn't supposed to do this and he promised he wouldn't...but he had to know! He needs to know if he'll have a job at the end of the summer, or if he'll have to go back to working three jobs. He just hopes he doesn't get caught reading it because that would be a worse repercussion than this review would cause.

The line started to get closer and closer to the newspaper boy. When it was his turn, he handed the kid a ten (even though it was much less) and took off with the paper. He stuffed it into his coat and met up with Cassie in the café just around the corner. With the plays now done, they were looking into schools for Aiden, but needed coffee before they could start. 

"Did you get your wallet from the car?" She asked. He looked at her oddly, but then said, "Oh! Yes! Sorry, my mind is elsewhere at the moment." She gave him a pointed look, then said, "I know it's on the review. I know you're even more nervous because that guy usually publishes them on opening nights, but didn't. Who knows, maybe he won't do it at all."

I wish that were the case, Ben thought. Had it not been for Tom telling me King was planning to publish it the morning after the final play, I wouldn't have bought this paper! Damn, I want to read it so badly! Unbeknownst to him, he was rapidly tapping his foot on the floor and drumming his fingers against his other arm as he held himself, almost for comfort. 

"Hey," Cassie said, snapping him out of his thoughts, "stop thinking about it. I don't want that ulcer coming back, especially today. This is about Aiden, okay? Speaking of whom...Aiden! Aiden, get back over here."

Aiden was a wanderer. He loved to explore places he was unfamiliar with, although he's been here plenty of times. She picked him up, then asked, "What do you want?" He pointed at the menu and shouted, "Coffee!" All of the adults, including his parents, started laughing. 

"Not yet, champ," Ben chuckled. "How about some hot chocolate?" That compromise seemed to do it, so he asked the barista for his "hot chocwet". Ben and Cassie just ordered black coffees. When they got their drinks they were on their way to meet with some schools. 

Since Ben was dead tired from, not only preforming his final show last night, but going to a couple wrap parties and drinking more than he should have (for a man that had to wake up early), Cassie was driving. She could tell he was trying to get some shut eye, but Aiden wanted all of his attention today. 

"Daddy!" Ben jolted awake and rubbed at his eyes. "Yeah, buddy?" He tiredly asked. "Coffee!" Aiden shouted. Ben chuckled and looked to Cassie. "I mean...it wouldn't hurt, would it? Just a tiny sip?" She shrugged, then told him, "You are dealing with it if he gets hyped up and poops his pants."

He doubted that would happen, so he handed Aiden the cup and watched as he observed it. First, he smelt it and made a bleh sound with a sour face. That didn't stop him from taking a tiny sip from it. He was so disgusted by it, he almost dropped the cup! Luckily, Ben's hand was underneath and he caught it. 

Ben was laughing hysterically at his son's reaction and handed him a bottle of water. "Not for you?" He asked. Aiden gulped down the water while shaking his head. "Alright, goofballs, we're here," Cassie laughed. "Try to act like a civilized parent who doesn't give their five-year-old coffee."

They all got out and Aiden walked between his parents as he held both of their hands. They walked into the school and followed the signs, past the lockers and classrooms, that led to the main office. As soon as they walked in, they checked in for their meeting with the principal. 

As they waited, Aiden asked in sign language, "Where are we?" He uses sign language with his hearing aides in when he gets nervous or scared. Ben told him, "We are at your possible new school. Remember when we talked about that? This is for...special kids like you."