Troubled Child

My Advice To You

Lucas slowly sipped on his tea. "She- She was pregnant? I can't believe she was pregnant and never told me."

Riley sighed and gave him a pat on the hand. "I'm sure she was scared and probably thought we were all going to hate her. I mean, I can't believe she would think we would hate her. I could never hate her. I mean, I would have been upset, extremely upset, but I wouldn't have hated her. Never."

Lucas sighed. "I could never hate her. I told her I could never hurt her and I think I did, but I didn't know I did."

"Lucas, I think there is something more important to talk about than whether or not you hurt Maya."

Lucas frowned, slowly stirring some sugar into his tea. "I know." He took a deep breath and let it out slow. "Emily, a student in my own classroom, and not a very well behaved student either, is my daughter. She's my daughter." He pinched the bridge of his nose with his two fingers. "What am I gonna do, Riley? I mean I know I have to take her in. I can't let her keep living in a foster home, but I don't know anything about raising a kid."

Riley frowned. "But you have to get her out of the foster home before she gets bounced to another one. It could be in another city or state or- or- or country?!" Riley panicked loudly.

Lucas sucked in some air, filling his lungs up, then he blew out a breath. "I know. I won't let her be moved from one home to the next like no one cares. I am going to take her in. I'm going do the right thing. I'm gonna do right by my daughter. I'm gonna-" He gulped. "I'm gonna be responsible for someone other than me, for a child, for my child. I am going to be there for my child no matter what." He slammed his fist down on the coffee table with determination. "Uh, Riley?"

"Yes Lucas?"

"How exactly do I get her out of the system, ya know living with me, and uh- and being responsible for her?" He said scratching at the back of his neck. "How does someone get a kid?"

Riley thought for a minute. "I don't know, but I think I know someone who might know. Someone who knows everything." She said with a smile. "I bet they'll know what to do."

###

"Hurry up! I haven't got all day!" A voice boomed from the chair as Lucas walked into the office. A big office with large windows and a giant oak wood desk stretching from one side of the window frame to the other.

"S-S-Sorry, sir." An intern gulped. "I-I- Sir, this man claims to be your best fr-fr- friend and wishes to have an audience with you at once. He says it is of the utmost importance." The young high school senior squeaked.

The tall chair turned revealing a stern face, but it quickly became a grin. "Lucas! Hey buddy! What brings you by the office on this fine day?"

"I need to talk to you about something personal and it cannot wait!"

Farkle glared at his intern. "You heard the man.. Leave us!" He commanded.

The intern yelped and ran from the room as fast as his lean body could carry him. "Right away sir!"

Farkle chuckled. "Interns, if you go easy on them they won't last in the big buildings with the big boys." He pushed a small wooden box towards the front of his desk. "Cuban cigar?"

"No thanks, man." Lucas held up his hand. "Smackle know about those?"

"What Smackle doesn't know won't hurt me." Farkle said leaning back in his chair and flicking open his lighter.