Connor Kenway climbed flight after flight of stairs until he reached the door that would belong to Haytham Kenway.
Connor didn't know a lot about his dad, just the few things he remembered and what his mother had told him which wasn't much. Ziio didn't like to talk about Haytham because she hated how he put his work before his family, and that was why they didn't live together anymore. When he asked her when his dad would be back she would roll her eyes and say, "Who knows? His job took him away before your 7th birthday and that's the last I saw of him. Personally I don't care if he ever comes back." Connor knew his mom didn't really mean that because she looked so happy and in love in all of the pictures of her and Haytham.
He knocked on the door and waited. After awhile he knocked again, and right before he knocked for a third time the door opened. A man with graying hair stood on the other side.
"Connor?"
"Hello father."
There was an awkward silence that followed until Haytham stepped back into the penthouse. "Uh...um come in. Do you need any help with your luggage?"
"No. I got it."
"Okay. I...your room is this way. I hope you like it."
Connor stepped into the bedroom. "Well...it is a lot bigger than my old one."
"Really? I was afraid it would be a little small."
"No. I like it."
"Do...do you need any help unpacking?"
"No thank you. I can do it."
"Alright then...just um...just tell me if you need anything. I'll come and get you for dinner later."
"Ok."
Haytham started closing the door. "I'm really glad you're here Connor, it's nice to see you again."
"I agree. It's been a long time."
"Well...um...I'll be in the living room."
Connor had moved some of the furniture, put his clothes neatly in the dresser, and added the few things he had from home to the room. He just started reading one of the books he had brought when his dad came in. "You don't mind if I rearranged the room do you?"
Haytham looked around the space. "Uh...no no not at all. It appears that you're into wolves and this..."
"It is a dream-catcher. Grandpa gave it to me for my 10th birthday."
"I wouldn't want to offend you son but your rooms is really...st..."
"Stereotypical?"
"Yeah...that's not offensive or racist to say is it?"
"I don't...think so. I mean I am personally not offended but others might be."
"Right...anyway I can to tell you that dinner is ready."
Dinner was just as awkward as the first meeting that day. The only sound in the kitchen was that of silverware being moved and glasses being raised and lowered. Finally Connor said something.
"I haven't eaten anything like this before. What's your recipe?"
"Um...it's not my recipe because I didn't make it... It's delivery."
"That would explain the Chinese symbols on the side of the box."
"Yep. I don't really cook very much."
"Oh. Mom and I cook everyday."
"Hm...so um...does...does Ziio talk about me?"
"Well...no. She doesn't like talking about you at all. She says that she doesn't care if you come back, but I think she would like you to."
Haytham twisted his wedding ring. "I would like to come back to...even if the other tribe mem...can I say tribe?"
"Father, unless you say it in an insulting manner I won't be offended."
"Right right...I'd come back even if the tribe members don't like me."
"Actually we're moving."
"Oh?"
"Yes. Mom said I could either stay with her at a friend's house while we look for a new house in a bigger city or I could stay with my grandparents on the reservation."
"So...I wasn't even an option to her?"
"No you weren't. I was the one that brought it up and she didn't like the idea very much but I told her it would be fine...and that I needed experience in a really big city."
Haytham scoffed. "Well I'm sure you'll get plenty here in New York."
"Yes. That is why I came...and I wanted to get to know you better."
"And I you Connor."
The rest of the evening was spent on light conversation and a bit of catching up. Then it was time for bed and hours later Haytham's alarm clock went off. He, still half asleep, fumbled around to turn it off. After a few moments of lying in bed he got up and got dressed for work that day. Exiting his room he walked to the kitchen where Connor was by the stove.
"Good morning father."
"Wha...what...are you doing?"
"I'm making breakfast. I woke up early this morning so that we could eat and then I could walk to school."
"Hm...I didn't know that I had eggs and bread."
"You didn't, but last night after you went to sleep I went to the nearest store and bought some groceries."
Haytham ran his hands over his face and through his hair. "No no no...you did not do that and you are not walking to school."
"Why not?"
"First off it's dangerous walking alone at night, secondly the high school is too far to walk."
"It is?"
"Yes. 20 miles at the least!"
"Oh...could you give me a ride?"
"I don't have a car Connor. I carpool to my job and carpool back. When did you even sign up for school?"
"Before I came, I did it all online."
"Did you check yourself on the bus list?"
"No because I thought I could walk it. And why would it be dangerous for me to walk at night? The store wasn't that far."
"Oh Connor... Look at the time...I should probably get going so uh...take this and get a cab to the school, it's earlier than most people head to work so traffic shouldn't be terrible. Big thing to remember is not to talk to strangers."
"Mom told me that some strangers are just friends we don't know yet."
"Oh my goodness, you weren't kidding when you said you needed city experience. That is wrong, you don't talk to strangers."
"How about other kids at school."
"That's...fine but don't talk to random people on the street and don't give money to every beggar."
Connor looked confused. "Why not? Mom said to help those in need."
Haytham sighed. "Look...just take the cab, don't talk to strangers, and I'll explain everything later tonight."
"You're leaving without eating breakfast?"
"I don't eat breakfast! We stop at a coffee shop for doughnuts and coffee before work, and I am running late for my carpool! So I will talk later Connor, goodbye!"
Connor watched his father run out the door. "Oh...goodbye."
