That kid is in so much pain.
“This isn’t a wild party. This was supposed to be a time to remember our best friend. Instead, it’s become about you being a drunk idiot who could have killed himself or someone else. Then we could have lost you too.” Creed bends over and picks up the bottle of water. “So you’re going to stay seated, shut up, anddrink your water until your dad gets here. Get me?” Creed holds the bottle out to Saber.
Tears fill Saber’s eyes as he takes the bottle. “I miss him.”
We all do.
***
“We’re talking about last night.” I hand Creed a cup of coffee as soon as he ambles in the kitchen.
“Figured that.” He takes a long swallow and sinks onto a stool at the island.
“Pancakes?”
“Like I’m ever going to say no.” Creed grins. They’ve been his favorite since Fly made them with candy smiley faces when Creed was three. “It wasn’t a big deal. Saber came drunk, and we took care of it.”
“Not a big deal.” I turn around to face him as they bubble on the griddle. “What happened last night was huge. And it had nothing to do with Saber and everything to do with you. Got to tell you I’m proud of how you handled that whole situation. You were calm, protected the women in your care, and handled the situation like a man. I’ve never been prouder of you than I was last night.”
“So you were listening.” Creed rubs the back of his neck.
I just raise an eyebrow at him.
“Saber’s just hurting right now. He didn’t mean to be that stupid.”
“Sad isn’t an excuse to be stupid like that.”
“I know.”
“We’ll handle Saber.” Now that we know he needs some extra help and a bit of tough love. Lyun was ready to throttle that boy last night. Can’t say I blame him. If Creed did something that stupid, we would be having a different kind of talk right now.
To work off his anger, Lyun took apart Saber’s bike. It’s now a pile of parts in the middle of his garage. I probably wouldn’t have been that nice…
“Did you get the books done last night?”
“Ugh.”
“I’ll take that as a no. Want some help?”
That boy fills my heart with so much pride. “Help would be good.”
Drunken Teenagers!
Greer
I still can’t believe what I saw last night! Not only did the house next door throw a party ‘til two in the morning, the party consisted of drunk teenagers.
What was that grumpy man thinking?
How did Rothswyler find the perfect house with the worst neighbors? I don’t want my son growing up next to rowdy, drunken partiers.
Twenty-four hours…It’s barely been twenty-four hours since I moved into my new home and already there’s a problem. Rothswyler could handle it. He handles everything. But this is my fresh start. Calling him feels like it would go against what I’m trying to do here.
How do I deal with a man who seems to hate me for absolutely no reason and is raising a juvenile delinquent?
Maybe he’s grumpy because he doesn’t know how to raise his son? I’ve been struggling with that fear. Men don’t ask for directions, let alone help raising their children. How can I give him the tools to deal with a rebellious child while still not being that person…what do I care if I’m that person when it comes to helping a child?
Books.
