Jet Pack Blues

Chapter 5

Giving up my music was a lot harder than I thought. Even though I could play whenever I want, declaring that I wouldn't do my tours or perform for my devoted fans made it a rather tough decision. I talked it over a bit with my band, none of them were the happiest but they supported me. They were just worried that I might make a decision I regret in the future.

I picked Gee up from his therapy session, smiling as I gave him a piggy back ride to the car. On the way home, however, I got a call from Jamia. I put it on the speakerphone connected to the car.

"Hello, Mia," I said.

"Mommy!" Gee cheered from the backseat.

"The school just called and Miles is in trouble and in the principal's office," Jamia said. "Do you want to get him or should I?"

"You know, it would probably be best for me to go, I don't want him throwing a fit," I said.

"Okay, I'll see you at home then," she said. "Bye, Gee."

"Bye bye, mommy," he said.

I hung up, sighing as I went to the middle school. We walked in and I saw Miles sitting outside the principal's office. I let the receptionist know I was here before sitting next to my son.

"So, do you wanna tell me what you did before we go in there?" I asked.

Miles didn't say anything, just crossed his arms.

"Mr. Iero," the principal said as he opened the door.

I went into his office with my kids, sitting on the other side of his desk.

"I'm afraid you to inform you that your son is being suspended," he said.

"Suspended?" I asked. "What could he have possibly done? What did you do?"

I looked at Miles and he just looked down.

"Your son was caught drawing on the bathroom stalls," the principal said.

"Wh--drawing on the stalls?" I asked. "Really? That's what he's being suspended for? Every kid does that."

Gee began laughing and we looked over.

"Look the poster of the kitty says 'hang in there' and he's hanging from a branch!" Gee exclaimed.

"Well, this on time of the three lunch suspensions he's already received," the principal said.

"I-I'm sorry, the what?" I asked.

The principal pulled out a file and I saw the form for three lunch suspensions, all with my signature on them.

"I have never seen those in my life," I said, looking at Miles.

Gee began touching stuff on his desk, knocking over a cup of pens.

"Gee, sit down," I whispered a little harsher than I meant to.

He started crying and I sighed.

"Maybe we can talk in a more private environment," the principal suggested.

"Miles, take Gee out into the hall," I said.

Miles ushered his crying brother out.

"Miles has been acting out lately, getting lunch detentions which we now know he has been forging your signature on," he said. "They're just small misdemeanors. He got in trouble for pulling a girl's hair, starting a food fight and replacing the hand sanitizer in his math class for gravy."

I couldn't help but snicker at the last one before quickly stopping, putting on a straight face.

"You clearly have your hands full," he said. "What with your band and being a sort of local legend, the young daughters. Twins, right? And Gee, poor Gee. You see, I think things at home might be a little bit overwhelming. The way Miles is acting out recently, it's a cry for attention. Did anything recently change in your home?"