One Wish Left

CHAPTER 5: PROBLEMS

Laura was still exhausted. She hadn't slept much after overanalyzing the possible Taylor-Jesse-Brodie connection the night before. As it was already Tuesday, however, she was going to have to get her shit together pretty quickly if she was going to catch up with work and get her column done for Thursday's issue. She reached for her coffee.

Laura had been working at The Chicago Reader for almost five years, and she had truly loved every minute of it. She had a passion for newspapers; the nostalgic feel of print on one's hands while sipping a latte was not one easily outdone in her mind. But with its focus on the arts, working for the Reader was especially fulfilling for her.

She yanked her thoughts away from work once she noticed her son's lethargic demeanor. Kieran was half-heartedly swirling Lucky Charms around his bowl.

"Okay, you haven't even eaten all your marshmallows yet. I'm getting worried over here. What's eating you, sweetie?" she prompted.

Kieran sighed and dropped his spoon into the mush that had once been his cereal.

"Do you think you could, like, skip parent-teacher conferences this year?" he asked without looking at her.

"What? Why, buddy? Your grades are always fantastic, and I'm sure your teachers love you as usual. Why on earth would I miss out on a chance to hear other adults brag about my son?" she argued, punching him lightly on the shoulder.

He sighed again. "Because, Mom. I have like twenty teachers now that I'm in sixth grade, and I just don't want every single one of them finding out I don't have a dad. It's so embarrassing."

Laura was stunned. Though she had worried constantly over the years about Kieran not having a proper father figure, he had never once complained about it. She thought that he'd accepted their life as it was long ago because this was all he knew. For that reason, she didn't usually introduce Kieran to any of her dates or boyfriends so that his norm wouldn't be upended.

"Kieran, sweetie, I can understand why you wouldn't want to stand out for any reason in middle school. Trust me, I know. But I also know your teachers will not think that having a single mom is anything to be ashamed of, especially if they know your dad is deceased," she reassured, reaching for his hand.

He quickly yanked it away. His face was turning red. "No, Mom. You don't understand. You were like 25 when Grandpa died, so you have no idea what it's like for me to have to explain it over and over to people."

Laura took a deep breath.

"Honey, I had no idea you felt this way. I am so sorry. I can't tell you how many times I have wished for it not to be this way. I'm so sorry," she said, her voice cracking on that last word. She had been afraid of something like this happening for a long time.

Damn you, Brodie! she cursed inwardly. Why did you have to leave us? God damnit!

"If my teachers find out, they will feel sorry for me and treat me like a baby for the whole year, and all the other kids will think I'm a suck up. They always do," he choked out.

Laura was full-on crying now, and so was he. She went over to his side of the breakfast bar and pulled him to her chest in a fierce hug. After a few minutes, their breathing slowed, and she lifted his chin so she could see into his wounded, brown eyes.

"You listen to me, Kieran. I will not tolerate you being treated in that way. If I have to make up a husband for them, I will," she suggested while testing out a smile. "We can tell them he travels a lot for work. Maybe he's a pilot!"

Kieran giggled and wiped his eyes. "Okay. I guess that could work."

"Okay then. I know this doesn't fix the issue, sweetie, but I would do anything to support you. You have to know that," she urged.