Jack of all Trades

Chapter 4

The bike

"No!" Dad shouts as 'Amanda Pete' messed up her macrons. Dad is really into baking shows, so right now I'm watching one with him while Tyson and mom make dinner. I've got to admit that I enjoy these baking shows a lot to. 

"No thats to much lavender!" 

"What are you doing?" 

"This is what you deserve for cheating Scott!"

"Oh, Dave, calm down. Dinner is on the table." Mom chides, and turns off the TV.

"At least you know how to cook. I feel bad for Barbs family, she must be poisoning them compared to your food." Dad complements as he sits down and starts filling his plate.

Tonight its chicken and potatoes and vegetables. A classic dinner.

"Thanks for dinner mom."

"Dad, I mashed up the potatoes! I got to crush them! I have it all over my hands, see?" Tyson puts his potato covered hands in my face. I wrinkle my nose as it almost touches me.

"Awesome! I bet you did great! Wash it off, then lets try some of them, okay?" 

"Okay!" He runs up to the sink and rinses off his hands. Dad and Mom look at me weird, and I bet its because of the 'dad' thing. I hadn't gotten around to telling them about yesterday when he called me dad.

"Jack-"

"Dad try the potatoes!" Tyson sits down next to me and starts eating. I try the potatoes. 

"Delicious!"

"Thank you!" My parents start eating to. 

-----

"Uh mom?" I quietly come down stairs after putting Tyson to sleep. She is folding laundry and watching TV so I sit down and help.

"Whats going on?" She asks, muting the TV. I turn towards her, the want to go run in a hole and hide gets immensely bigger.

"I want to apologize for almost  snapping at you the other day. When I brought Tyson home. I don't know why I freak out like that, and I'm sorry I took it out on you."

"Oh honey. I already forgave you. When I noticed how... motherly you act for him, it made sense. You both have gotten really attached really fast, and I'm sure that has something to do with why you were so protective that first day." She has one of those motherly smiles on and it makes my heart clench because how? How can I be like her? How would I handle Tyson snapping at me? Would I be as perceptive as her? Would I blow up at him- would I hurt him like his parents have!? How would I- a moody teenager- react!? What would I do!? What-

Moms hugging me. She squeezes my shoulders and holds me there for a second. 

"Jack, honey, calm down. Its okay." She leans back and wipes under my eyes. I was crying? 

"Why did you start crying?" Shes acting all motherly and all the times shes comforted me come to mind. I sob. She immediately pulls me into her lap, even  though I'm twice her size and I'm really heavy. She holds me in her lap and rocks back and forth. 

"I've haven't seen you cry since you were a kid." She whispers, "Whats got you so overwhelmed?" 

"You are such a good mom, Mom. I want to be a good dad for Tyson. I want to be just like you. I want him to come to me when he has problems and feel comfortable with me, like I am with you. I want to be a good dad, Mom. You're so-" I have to take a second to breath, "I love you, Mom. I don't think I say it enough." 

"Oh honey." She hugs me tighter.