Daddy On Call

Chapter 2

Aria

"This is Holden. How can I help you?"

I felt my breath hitch in my throat. Abort Mission. Abort Mission.

I quickly hang up and hang my head. Fuck. A moment later, my phone begins to ring, and I stare at it in my trembling hands.

Bringing it to my ear, I mumble.

"H-Hello?"

A cheerful voice boomed into my ear from the other end of the line.

"Hi! This is Holden at "Daddy On Call". I think we just got disconnected."

I bite into my bottom lip and shake my head. Nope, we didn't. I'm a chicken shit.

"Oh.. Oh no.. It was a mistake. I shouldn't have-.."

His chuckle takes me off guard.

"It's okay. I get it. We get this reaction a lot, like more than you can imagine. You're not the first and you certainly won't be the last."

I stay silent and he takes this as an invitation to continue.

"Let me start. Why did you call us tonight?"

Cringing, I heave a deep sigh.

"I have a son. He's six. His dad is-... He's not around and everyone says that...."

"He needs a father figure, right?"

My voice comes out as a whisper.

"...Yes."

I can hear the smile on his face as he speaks.

"Perfect! This is what we do."

I feel my heart racing and my palms getting sweaty. Stupid, stupid, stupid Aria.

"I shouldn't have called. I mean, this is kind of weird, right?"

He clears his throat and continues, "A bunch of guys who mentor children and help them do homework, learn to drive, play basketball, apply to and visit colleges, and raise their self esteem?"

Silence.

"Well. Thanks for making me feel like a real prick."

It surprises me to hear him laugh.

"We get it a lot. I can assure you that each person on my staff is thoroughly checked out. We run background checks, finger prints, credit checks, and take a slew of references. Tell me about your kiddo. It's important to try to pair them up with the right mentor."

Inhaling deeply, my resolve breaks and I begin to tell him about my boy.

"His name is Miles. He's 6. He's a good boy, very sweet. Very polite. He got hit today. He was punched in the face by a big kid.... All he did was stick up for his friend." I feel my voice begin to break.

He sighed, and I felt like he actually understood. I continue explaining our situation, "His dad lives in Glasgow. We met when I was on a college trip. His life is there, mine's here. So Miles doesn't get to see him often. Mainly weekend FaceTime calls. But before we start anything, what does all of this... cost? I'm living on just my income..."

"Yeah, I get it. It's tough, I completely understand. We'd definitely like to help you. All of my workers have other full time jobs. This is supplemental income and something that they want to do. A lot of them were raised by single mothers themselves. They get it."

"We have different packages and rates. The hourly package is $12/hour. Mainly used by moms who need a few hours a week after school. The next step up is the "Weekender" package. Every Saturday and half of Sunday, your mentor will come and hang with your kid, go to sporting events, take day trips, whatever you need."

I hesitate, I'm almost afraid to ask.

"And the cost of that package is....?"

"$200 a month. $50 for each weekend. And finally, we have the '50/50' package. Every week day after school for 3 hours, every Saturday, and half days on Sundays. And that cost is $650 each month."

I suck in a sharp breath.

"Oh my god, I cant even-.."

"Before you say anything. We do offer a special trial package. The first weekend is only $25. Feel out the program and decide."

My eyes slam closed. $25 would be a tank of gas for the week.

.....I guess I can cut back on something.

"Do you have anything available for this weekend?"

"Oh- oh I'm not available. I've been in 2 long term 50/50's. Let me see..."

I hear him clicking.... and clicking..... and clicking.....

"Right now I don't, but... Let me make a few calls."

----

Holden

"Fuck. No." His response doesn't come as a surprise to me. He never really embraced the "Daddy on Call" program, although I assumed he'd be the first to understand.

"Chance.. I need a trial weekend."

He growls out his response, "You don't offer trial packages. And I told you not to involve me in your daddy shit. I did my time and bailed you out before."

You wanna play hard ball, huh?

"It's just one weekend. She's not sold on us, and.... She's a single mom, Chance."

"Shocker. Most of them are. What does that have to do with it?"

I hesitate, purposefully.

"She reminds me of mom."

I hear his breath hitch as he nearly whispers.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

I grin to myself, "I don't know. Not really. Kids dad lives far away, overseas. He's apparently a really good kid, but is getting beat up by the bigger boys. Remind you of anyone? Someone who stuck up for the little guy?"

Hook, Line, and Sinker. 

I hear him groan, and finally snap, ".....You owe me."

---

Aria

The phone rings in my hand, and I hesitantly lift it to my ear with a quiet 'Hello'.

"We found the BEST match. His name is Chance. You introduce him however you want. We do recommend you refer to them as your friend, not a babysitter. It's not always a happy moment when the children find out that their friends are getting paid for their time. Self esteem and all."

I quickly grab a pen and begin to write everything down on a scrap of paper.

"And you're sure he's safe? He's passed all of the clearances?"

"He's the best. He's my brother."

---