We'll Get There {AntiAverage} (ABANDONED)

6: C B

1253 words

Trey, Stacy, Greyson and I stood in a large, bustling room, filled to the brim with excited families. Well, excited kids and passive parents. We'd gotten a few looks from people who'd known us before the divorce, and one of the older, touchier councilors had given me a hug, (which I had absolutely not teared up at) but other than that, it went smoothly.

Greyson stood in front of me with a 'Jr. Scientist' sticker on his shirt, beaming from ear to ear. The kid was only eight, and he was probably the most adorable human being to exist. Then again, I'd thought the same thing about Trey when he was that age. Eh, they were tied.

"You did it, little dude! I'm super proud of you.", I mirrored that smile, ruffling his neatly combed bowl-cut. That earned a glare from Stacey, but I honestly couldn't find it in myself to care. Trey stood next to her, looking like a male version of his Mom. He was at least a head taller, and his hair was dirty blonde instead of bleach, but he probably could've passed as her twin.

"I wasn't sure if you were going to show up.", Stacy said passive-aggressively, gently leaning against the wall. Trust her to try to start an argument in the middle of an event.

"Are you kidding? I wouldn't miss it for the world.", I returned a lopsided grin, ignoring the tone. I wasn't going to play into her trap, and especially not with the kids around. I was about to say something to Grey when my phone rang. "One sec, guys, I have to take this. It's Uncle Marvin."

Greyson frowned, poking his bottom lip out, and I patted his shoulder. "I'll be back.", I assured. I took a step to the side, narrowly avoiding a line of giggling teenagers, and answered.

"Hey, Marv, is everything okay?"

"Hey, um, Anti's having an episode. He asked for you." I stiffened, suddenly feeling the heart that pounded against my chest. I could feel someone watching me, but I kept my attention on the phone.

"Shit. Alright, le-let me talk to him."

"Yeah, I'm handing you over now."

There was a pause, and then I heard quick breaths coupled with barely-repressed sobs.

"Hey, Anti? I'm right here. Do you want to talk?"

No response on the other end gave me my answer.

"Okay. Breath with me. You're safe." I inhaled dramatically, and held it for a few seconds. I heard him try to imitate the action on the other line, only to quickly fall back into his irregular breathing pattern. Despite this, I exhaled calmly.

This continued for what was probably a little less than ten minutes, and as his breathing began to even out, I could hear some indistinguishable voices on the other end of the line.

"How are you feeling?", I dared ask, voice softer than I expected it to be. It was how I used to talk to the kids when they were crying over nightmares, or to Stacey when her mom's health decided to take another bad turn.

"Better.", he half-mumbled, voice cracking.

"Do you want me to come home?"

"Please?", it was almost a whimper, a delicate plea, likely to crumble if I said anything of wanting to stay. Which, I did. I hadn't seen my kids in months.

But Anti needed me more than they did right now, so I was willing to oblige. "Alright. I'll be there, twenty minutes max, okay?"

There was a pause, and then a quiet, "O-okay."

"Are you okay if I hang up now? Or do you want me to stay on the line?"

"I-I'm okay."

"You sure?"

"Yes."

"Okay. I'll see you in a few minutes. I'm hanging up now.", a hesitantly pulled the phone away from my ear and completed said action.

I looked over to my family, and caught Trey's eye. He tilted his head, as if to say 'What did that mean?', and I simply began to walk towards them. I had decided not to tell them anything about Anti, his disappearance or finding him again, similar to the way we had treated Jack. They just... didn't need to know.

Unfortunately, from the few times I'd talked to him during Anti's disappearance, Trey had figured out that something was wrong. He was 14, and too intelligent not to. But he hadn't figured out exactly what, to my knowledge.

No doubt I was paler than I had been before I walked away, and I was sure that didn't escape Trey's curious eyes.
"I-I'm really sorry guys, but I have to go."

Greyson's smile fell, and Stacey scoffed. "Of course you do.", she muttered, eyes dark as she glared at me. The look made me shiver.

"But, I thought we were going to hang out?", Greyson frowned, ignoring the harsh statement from his mother. Guilt seemed to embed itself into my skin like tiny shards of glass, and I crouched on one knee to level with him.

"I'm sorry, buddy. Someone got hurt while I was away, and I need to get back to help them." He nodded sadly, looking at the ground. I wrapped him in a hug, moving slow enough to allow him time to pull away if he wanted to, "Hey, don't think I won't see you soon. I'll come visit when your Mom lets me, okay? I love you."

He nodded again, returning the hug, "I love you, too." We released each other, and I stood up to say bye to Trey. He was nearly taller than me at this point- no, no- he was taller than me, if only just. He was looking down at me. "I'm sorry, man. I really wish I could've stayed longer."

"I get it, Dad. Go make sure one of those oafs hasn't gotten themselves killed. Love you.", he said, giving a quick hug. He felt... rigid, almost like he was uncomfortable.

"Love you, too, bud. Stay out of trouble!"

He grinned mischievously as we parted, a devilish glint in his eye, "I promise nothing." I grinned back despite myself, speed-walking out to the parking lot. I found my car and drove off, probably speeding enough for it to be considered a felony.

______

I gently knocked on the door, then opened it, giving anyone inside fair warning I was coming in. I saw Anti on the couch, curled in on himself, staring at- or more accurately through the TV, and Marvin sitting on a bungee chair close by. Jackieboy was gone, likely called to assist some gas station robbery, or something of the sort. Our little hero.

Anti's head spun around as the door opened, and I carefully speed-walked over to him. I gently sat down next to him, ignoring Micheal and Pam bickering in the background, "Hey, you feeling any better?" I got no response. Instead, Anti slowly leaned over, resting his head on the top of my legs. His arms were wrapped firmly around himself, and he curled his legs toward his chest.

I carefully started to pet his hair, heart skipping a beat as he practically melted at the touch. He seemed content to just... sit there, soaking up the affection. I desperately wanted to pull my legs up in a criss-cross position, but my fate had been sealed.

When Jackie returned home, he was greeted with myself, shoes still on, in the same position, with Anti asleep in my lap.