T is for gambling, violence and m/m
The name's Vic, I'm 13, starting high school. My family aren't like others. 'Normal' families have one mum and one dad or just one parent. I have two parents but no mum, I have two dads.
One of my dad's insists that I call him Pa, he talks a lot about Uncle Keith, his old home in the south and he works as a mechanic for a tow company.
My other dad I don't see very often, he keeps to himself and I have no idea what he does for a living. Pa says that I don't want to know what dad does and that I shouldn't ask.
"Ah right Vic, your first day o' high school. How'd ya feel?"
"Nervous, but excited."
Dad walks in but Pa doesn't notice, "It's just school kid, nothing to worry about." Pa said, but I wasn't listening.
"Dad!" I yelled, excited to see him, I rarely do.
My dad looks at me as highly confused "What?"
I stare at the most fascinating feet in the world, my own "Well, it's just that you don't usually say goodbye in the morning."
He crossed his arms and stares off into the distance "Well I thought I'd take you to your first day of high school."
I was genuinely shocked. Dad's never driven me to school and in fact has never even been at home while I was going to school.
"Well kid" Dad said as I closed my mouth, that had fallen open. "Do you want me to drive you to school or not?"
"Um... Yes please"
"Heh, your Pa teaches you manners well enough hey?"
He smirks at me and I smile back.
"Seeya Nick, Vic"
"Goodbye Ellis"
"Bye Pa"
We walk outside and jump into dad's really flash, shiny, black lamborghini probably better for popularity status than pas pick-up truck.
I really didn't know what to say to the kid. I drove him to school because it was about time I did something for the boy but I still don't know if there is something you're meant to say to your kid or something like that.
"So dad"
"Yeah?"
"What do you do for a living?"
I hesitated.
"Um… why do you ask?"
"Just curious."
I shifted slightly, I didn't really want to tell him.
"Well um… didn't your Pa tell you not to ask?"
"Yeah, but I still want to know."
"I'll tell you when you're older"
"Oh come on it can't be that bad"
I sigh, he is my son, I suppose he deserves to know. "Fine, just don't tell your father I told you this. Ok?"
"Ok."
"I'm a Gambler"
I just couldn't look at the boy, but he wanted to know.
"As in, Poker and stuff?"
"Yeah"
"What if you lose, can't you lose heaps of money like that?" He asks, curiously more than accusingly.
"I don't lose" I say, staring straight ahead. I don't like this. There's a moment of silence, I glance over at him. He's staring at me questioningly.
I sigh, "I'm not just a gambler, I'm also a conman"
There's another moment of silence before, "That is so cool. Could you teach me how to play poker?"
"Ur… yeah sure, um but don't gamble until you're 18 and don't tell Pa. Got it?"
"Got it"
We stop in front of the school and Vic smiles at me giving me a tight hug, opens the car door and makes his way inside. I'm about to drive off when an old woman taps on my window. Reeling it down I get really annoyed.
"What?" I demand.
"Well excuse me but I work at the office at this school."
"and?"
"We would like you as a parent of a student to attend the orientation and for you and your partner have some paperwork to sign."
I sigh in annoyance "Ok. I'll attend after I make a call."
"Thankyou Mr…."
"Just call me Nick." I say dismissively, pulling out my phone.
"Thankyou Nick." She says before walking off.
"Hello?" I hear Ellis' voice coming through the phone.
"Hey Overalls."
I hear a slight chuckle "Nick! 'sup?"
"We have to attend an orientation and then sign some papers."
"Oh ok, be there in a bit."
I hang up and park the car. I begin to walk towards a large building that I think might be the hall they have their assemblies at. I walk inside and sit with all the other parents. All the single mothers all sit next to me and try to get as close to me as possible. It was really weird, considering I was waiting for my Boyfriend.
Lucky for me Ellis walks in the door. "Ellis!" He sees me and I walk over to him and we find a spot together while we get weird stares from the other parents, unnerving Ellis a bit. I give him a quick kiss on the cheek to calm him down, causing him to blush and me to chuckle.
"Nick, not in public." He complains, lightly pushing me off.
"Sorry you just looked like you needed it." I laugh.
Sitting down has been the most exciting part of the event. I don't see why we have to be here.
When the thing was over the lady from earlier came up to me with a horrible smile that made me want to throw up.
"Hello Nick, who's your friend and where's your wife?"
"Who said I had a wife?" I say, glaring at her.
Her eyes widen twice their size as she realises who my 'friend' is. "Oh! I am so sorry." She stammers awkwardly "Good morning Mr.?"
"Name's Ellis." He says uncomfortably.
"Good morning Ellis" She says, sounding as uncomfortable as Ellis. "now um… could you sign these." She continues, handing us paperwork.
We signed the papers, getting weird looks and threatening glares the whole time, I would have preferred poker over than this any day. Heck! Even the goddamn slot machines are better than this.
I looked at the form and almost laughed. Ellis looked a bit funny. "So er who's gonna be 'is mum?"
I snickered as I snatched the pen out of his hand and sign my name on the line for the father, flashing him a smirk, "Well that settles it."
He glares daggers at me as he takes back the pen and signs his name on the other line. "Ah gotta go to work. Ah'll see you later."