“Who is Uncle Orion?” Donald asked, interrupting Kristoph.
“I’ll explain later. Let me finish this first. I need your help to get our father and dad back together. They belong together and shouldn’t have been torn apart because someone interfered.”
Donald stopped him again. “How do you know that someone interfered and broke them apart?”
“It’s part of the story. Dad doesn’t want me to know, but I heard him talking about it with Uncle Orion when I was younger.”
“Oh,” Donald said. “So, does Azazel know about you?”
“Yeah,” Kristoph smiled. “I met him yesterday. But I think I made Dad angry. We haven’t talked about it yet, but I know that conversation is coming. I guess I should be happy that work is keeping him busy.”
“Oh,” Donald said again, knowing that there was more to the story, but he didn’t ask. “What else do you want me to agree to?”
The kid’s face flushed. “Can you share your pies with me? I skipped lunch and cut my afternoon classes to talk to you.”
“Won’t you get in trouble for skipping school?”
Kristoph chuckled. “Nah, my friends are looking out for me, and as long as I’m back before basketball practice, Dad won’t notice the change in the tracking spell he has on me.”
“You realize I’m a parent, right?” Donald said.
“Kind of hard to miss that.” Kristoph pointed to the family pictures lined up on the desk behind Donald. “But you’re also my brother and won’t snitch on me. You keep my secrets and I’ll keep yours.”
Donald studied Kristoph and saw something familiar, other than their resemblance. Loneliness. Although he had Tripp as a big brother, there were times he still felt lonely. He didn’t want to imagine how much lonelier Kristoph must have been. Donald shouldn’t have been entertaining Kristoph, but he was curious.
This is terrible adulting.
Sighing, he reached over and picked up the bag of pies that were still warm. There were three half pies; one peach, one apple, and the other cherry. Seeing that there was an extra fork, he handed it to Kristoph who took it.
“All right, kid… I mean Kris, start talking.”
Kristoph smiled and cut into the peach cobbler. “Thirty years ago…”
* * *
Azazel satin his car in front of the Valleywood high school watching the group of kids walk out of the building in black jogging suits. The basketball team had both genders who were tall in stature, except for his kid, Kristoph, who was much shorter than the rest. Azazel observed Kristoph interacting with the older kids and hoped that none of them were bullying his son. Azazel was certain that he wasn't the kind of parent who would sit and talk shit, though, no matter his status in society. But from the bright smile on Kristoph's face, Azazel didn't think he had anything to worry about.
Azazel sighed and tooted his horn, getting everyone's attention. Kristoph looked away from the kid he'd just fist-bumped and started walking to the car. Azazel had sent him a text telling him what color and model car he would be in. Azazel had to admit he was nervous and didn't know how to relate to kids Kris's age. After getting back to the city council office earlier that day, Azazel read up on what type of activities kids Kristoph's age liked and found out that outdoor activities and video games were the top two.
SInce he couldn't concentrate at work, he left the city hall meeting he was in and went shopping to buy every game console and video game, hoping Kristoph would like to play at least one of them. Azazel knew that he should have asked Uriel what Kristoph liked, but he wanted to learn about his son on his own.
Azazel also knew he was overcompensating, but he couldn't help it. He was trying to find a way to relate to Kristoph. With Donald it was easy, since he was an adult when they met. Azazel looked to the passenger side of the car when Kristoph opened the door and got in.
"Hello, Father," Kristoph whispered.
Azazel reached over and ruffled his hair. "You don't have to be so awkward around me. Be the same kid who barged into my office the other day, let me get to know the real you." He paused for a second, and Kristoph turned to look at him. "We're family, not strangers."
"Can I ask you a question?" Kristoph said.
"You can ask me anything, and I'll answer if I can."
"Are you mad at my dad for not coming clean about me and Donald?"
Azazel wanted to say no to ease the fear he saw in the boy's eyes, but he didn't want to start their father-son relationship off with a lie.
"I'm angry and hurt that I didn't know about you both, but my anger mostly isn't toward your dad." Azazel sighed. "What caused the distance between me and your dad was a grave misunderstanding that hurt our family, tearing it apart. I promise you that it won't happen again."
"Do you really promise?" Kristoph asked.
