Black to the Past

Chapter 15

"Jalen," his father called as he entered the apartment.
"Hey dad," Jalen called from the living room sofa.
"Hey, how's your brother? He 'sleep yet?" His father asked as he pulled off his work boots.
"He's feeling a little better. Said he was in the nurse's office for most of the day," Jalen offered.
"Okay, do you think he should go tomorrow or take a day off?"
"I can't stay with him, dad," Jalen told his father exasperatedly.
"I will," Jalen's father told him. "I've already worked it out. I've got a few sick days accrued. I can take off with him."
"Yeah, then, fine. How's work anyway?"
"Good, this is a really good job," his father told him proudly.
"That's great dad," Jalen said honestly. He wanted the best for his father. He was a good dad who'd been left by a woman, who was a loser, to raise two boys by himself. His father worked hard and did the best he could.
"A few more months of overtime and you can get your license and we can fix up that old junker in the garage."
"Really?" Jalen smiled with appreciation. It would be nice to have a set of wheels to drive. The car ran, just not well enough to get from point A to point B without a lot of noise.
"Yeah, I know it's not much, but the car is yours," his dad was excited to be able to give his son something that would make him happy.
"Thanks dad," Jalen said sincerely.
"You're welcome. Why don't you go on to bed now? Thanks for your help as always."
"No problem, dad. You're a great dad, you know," Jalen said as he passed his father landing a kiss on top of his head.