Mathers Family Values

Chapter 1

Madelyn Mathers got out of bed to see her kids off to school. Once Maverick had been able to get into a classroom he excelled at everything they placed in front of him. He had just turned 15 and was a freshman in highschool. Malakai was 13 and in seventh grade. The triplets were going to be 11 years old in October and were in fifth grade.

As the triplets began school, things were noticed about them. Myles had a learning disability that caused him to struggle a bit. He got extra help in reading and math. Matthew was doing well in all subjects but he struggled with his speech a bit. Little Mckynna didn't struggle in speech but she had trouble hearing.

Madelyn walked down to her daughter's room. She flipped on her light and helped her get her hearing aids on. She then went to wake the boys up. Maverick was already in the kitchen eating cereal. He looked at his sister as she entered the room.

"Morning," he said.

She nodded. Matthew and Myles came tearing down the stairs. She shook her head. Malakai trudged down after them. He was sick of school already.

"When's dad coming home?" Myles asked.

"He actually will be here when you get home from school," Madelyn told him.

"Really?"

Madelyn nodded. Marshall had been gone for a week working on some project. She missed him but they talked every night over the phone. It was weird for him to be gone. He was getting older now. Madelyn was 44 and Marshall was 58. She still thought he was just as handsome as the day they met.

"Let's go, you're going to be late," she said.

The kids scrambled to get their stuff and headed to the car. She dropped them off at their respective schools and then headed to meet Ashley for coffee. She was ready for Marshall to be home. Maverick had settled into sports but Malakai was all about goofing off. He had gotten into trouble while his dad was gone.

"Ready for him to be home?" Ashley asked as they settled into their seats.

"Ready for him to get his son under control. The kid is making me crazy. I had to go the school twice last week because he couldn't keep it together in class," Madelyn sighed.

"Does it surprise you? I mean he is Marshall's son after all."

"I swear he thinks his name alone should give him a pass to act like a fool."

Ashley laughed. She loved her nephews and her niece but Kai was going to be the one to have his mother pulling her hair out. Madelyn's phone went off as they sat there. She looked down not even remotely shocked to see the school phone number on the screen.

"Hello," she said.

"Mrs. Mathers," a woman asked.

"This is she."

"I have Malakai in the office. He got into a fight with another child. We have to suspend him."

"He hasn't even been there for an hour. What in the world were they fighting about?"

"I don't know that."

"I'm on my way."

She looked at Ashley as she hung up.

"A fight before 9am?" Ashley asked.

"I don't know what I am going to do with that boy, I swear," Madelyn said.

She apologized to Ashley as she gathered her things to leave. She headed out to the car and back to the middle school. She called Marshall along the way.

"Hey babe," he said.

"Hey," she sighed.

"What's wrong?"

"Your son just got suspended."

"For what?"

"A fight."

"What did he get in a fight for?"

"I don't know. I am on my way to pick him up now. I was having coffee with Ashley when they called."

"I should be home by noon."

"All right."

"Love you."

"Love you too."

She pulled up to the school and went inside to get her son. He was sitting in a chair in the office. She shook her head. She walked inside.

"What happened, Malakai?" she asked.

"He shoved me into a locker. I just defended myself," Malakai said.

"Who is this kid?"

"His name is Noah Michaels."

"Why is he picking at you apparently?"

"He always has something to say mama. He said that I wasn't really Eminem's son. He said I was lying about it just to get girls to like me. I swear I don't even mention dad around here."

"All right, let's go home and talk to dad. See what he wants to do,"

Malakai nodded. He followed his mom out of the office. She sighed as she drove home. Malakai stared out the window. He looked more and more like his dad every day.

"Mama, are you mad at me?" he asked cautiously.

"I'm not happy with you at all right now," she said.

"Even though I didn't start it?"

"I'm just not happy with the situation Kai."

He nodded. He looked at her for a second.

"Going to a teacher isn't helping mama. I promise I tried that first."

Madelyn nodded as she pulled up to their home. She sent her son up to his room. He sighed. She just needed to wait on his father to get home to decide what their next step was. She was tired of the school. Maverick had some troubles when he went there as well and she wasn't so sure she even wanted to send the triplets. They had enough issues with school and things.

Marshall walked in the door at noon just as he had thought. She looked over at him while she was folding laundry. He leaned down to kiss her lips.

"I missed you," he said.

"Missed you too," she replied.

"Where is he?"

"His room. He says Noah Michaels shoved him into a locker."

"Wasn't the kid that Mave had issues with a Michaels as well?"

"I believe so."

Marshall nodded. He headed for the stairs to talk to his son.