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Chico and Paz's first month with Jack as their son had been pretty great. He had seemingly been doing well in school and he'd been getting along with his parents. He always listened to them, and he didn't seem to cause any trouble for anyone. The therapist also said that Jack was gradually opening up and taking more about his traumas and fears. In short, everything had been going smoothly. Then Chico and Paz got that call from school.
And now, here they were, standing in front of the principal.
"Mr. and Ms. Libre, thank you so much for coming." The principal said as he shook their hands.
"Not at all." Chico replied as they all took their seats. "So, what's the problem? Is Jack not doing well in school? Does he need some special tutor or reinforcement classes?"
"No, none of that. Jack is doing phenomenally in class. All the teachers have good things to say about him. Eager to learn, studies hard, pays attention. Although they have noted that he is a bit quiet and withdrawn."
"Please, you have to understand his situation, sir. He's had a very rough time as a child. Seen things that most people haven't seen in their entire lives." Chico replied.
"I am aware of his situation. But that is not why I have asked you here today."
"It's not? Then what's the problem?" Paz asked.
"Yesterday your son got into a fight and he broke a boy's nose."
"Oh boy…What exactly happened?" Chico asked.
"Apparently the other boy was picking on some of the other students when Jack decided to step in and stop him. A few things were said, and then Jack punched him in the face."
"…Sounds to me like the kid was asking for i-Oww!" Chico said as he rubbed the foot Paz had just heavily stepped on, turning his head to glare at her. Paz just continued looking forward at the principal, pretending not to notice her husband's glare.
"While I understand your son's reaction, the school cannot and will not condone violence of any sort. Since Jack is new and considering that he's…a special "case", we have left him with only a warning, but we still think it would be best for him if you talked with him."
"We will. Thank you." Paz said as she and Chico left.
"You didn't have to step on my foot, you know."
"And you didn't have to say that a boy deserved to get his nose broken."
"I was just defending Jack. Based on what principal said, Jack did the right thing." Chico replied.
"He had the right intentions, but violence is never the answer. We're parents now, Chico. We have a responsibility to teach him better."
"Fine. So, we'll both talk to him when we get home tonight?" Chico asked.
"Yes. The both of us, together."
"Okay. Listen, I gotta go to work, they're calling me on this new case. I'll see you later." Chico said as he gave Paz a quick kiss.
"See you. And don't be late tonight." Paz reminded Chico as he left.
(That night)
"Jack, please open the door." Paz pleaded as she knocked on the locked door.
"No! You're mad at me!" Jack's voice rang from the other side of the door.
After Paz had arrived home from work, she and Chico sat Jack down and said that they needed to talk. Jack's face immediately turned into one of sadness and worry, and he sprinted to his room and locked the door behind him. Paz knew immediately what was going on. As a child soldier, Jack had never received lectures whenever he did something wrong. All he had ever known was punishment. This was all still new to him, and he needed to get accustomed to this new process. But they couldn't start unless Jack allowed them to.
"Jack, we're not mad. We just want to talk." Paz replied.
There was no answer.
"Let me try." Chico said as he gently moved Paz aside and placed his hand on the door. "Jack? It's your dad. Listen, can you please open the door?"
"No…"
"Jack, listen. I know you probably think we're mad at you and that we'll punish you, but we won't. We're your parents. We love you and we would never do anything to hurt you on purpose. We just want to talk to you. It's our job as your parents to teach you right from wrong. So can you please open the door so we can talk?"
Slowly the lock on the turned and the door opened revealing a somewhat embarrassed Jack, who hugged Chico.
"There, there, kid. Now come on, let's talk." Chico said as he lifted Jack and carried him to bed, with both him and Paz sitting beside Jack.
"Jack, listen. The principal told us why you got into a fight with that boy, and we think you did the right thing." Paz said.
"So, you don't think I was wrong?"
"You became wrong the moment you punched that boy. Jack, you did the right thing by trying to protect the others, but the moment you punched that kid, you lost all sense."
"Violence isn't the answer to solving your problems, Jack." Chico said. "You should only fight when it is to defend yourself. When stuff like this happens, go talk to a teacher, or an adult at the school."
"But he…" Jack bit his lip to stop himself from finishing the sentence, looking down in hesitation.
"What is it?" Paz asked.
"…He insulted Dad." Jack said, not lifting his head. "He said that he was probably stupid and weak and that he was a loser."
Chico gave a light smile before he hugged his son.
"Jack, I'm really happy that you wanted so much to defend me. But I don't want you getting into fights, specially over me. You're my son; all I care about is what you think about me. Not some kid. Okay?" Chico said, which Jack replied with a nod. "Good. Now, did you punch him really hard?"
"Harder than I ever punched anyone."
"Attaboy."
(Two days later)
Chico awoke early, remembering that he had a meeting with the school again today. They had called last night and said they needed to talk again over something. Paz couldn't make it, since she had a meeting early in the morning. He turned to look at Paz, who was still sleeping, lying with stomach against the bed, her arms under the pillow while she faced him. Chico smiled as he looked at Paz. She always got early for work so as to be sure that she wouldn't be late. She stayed awake till late last so as to finish some reports. Chico decided to let Paz sleep some more and take care of the morning chores. He took quick shower, woke Jack up, and had him take a shower while he prepared breakfast. While he cooked, he heard a light yell come from his room, along by the sound of footsteps and Paz frantically muttering "I'm late, I'm late, I'm late!", followed by the shower being turned on. After a few minutes, Paz walked out the door, still dressing herself, her arm wrapped around the files, her sight never leaving the watch on her wrist.
"I can't believe you didn't wake me up!"
"Paz…"
"I still have to wake Jack up-"
"Paz…"
"And make breakfast and lunch for Jack! I'm so going to be late for the meeting-"
"Paz!"
Paz lifted her head to see two bags on the table and Jack having breakfast. "I took care of all that for you."
"Oh…"
"I also made you breakfast and lunch for you to eat on the way to work and during your break. You have toasted bread with butter, ham, and scrambled eggs, along with a sandwich with ham, lettuce, olives, and cheese." Chico said, handing Paz one of the bags.
"Oh…Thanks. Well, I'll see when I get home then." Paz said as she gave Chico a kiss. "And tell me all about the meeting at school when I get back."
"Bye, Mom."
"Bye, Jack. Have a good day at school." Paz said, giving her son a quick kiss on the head before she left the apartment.
After breakfast, Chico took Jack to school, before heading to the principal's office, being greeted by both the principal and another man in the office.
"Mr. Libre, thank you for coming." The principal said. "This is Mr. Wester. The father of the boy your son…punched. He wants to know why Jack only received a warning."
"My son had his nose broken, and his son is only getting a warning? That seems highly unfair to me." Wester said. "His son was the one who attacked."
"Mr. Wester, it's like I said. Jack is…adapting. And your son was the one who started the fight according to all the other students accounts."
"So his son gets away with punching mine?"
"My son is not getting away with anything. His mother and I already had a thorough talk with him about what he did. But its not like either side was blameless." Chico replied.
"And I should be relieved that his parents only had a talk with him?"
"How about, instead of blaming my son for everything, you admit your son started it?"
"I'm telling the truth, your son is dangerous."
"My son is not a danger to anyone." Chico replied, feeling his hands tightening into fists.
"He broke my son's nose. Either you haven't taught him any manners, or your son is a menace to every child in this school."
(Later that night)
"You broke the man's nose? !" Paz indignantly asked Chico.
"Nice one, Dad!"
"Jack! Not now. Go to your room and do your homework." Paz said.
"But-"
"Go to your room. And do your homework." Paz repeated, her eyes narrowing, causing Jack to immediately do as told. Paz then turned to the man in front of her. "I can't believe you! Two days ago we lectured Jack on right from wrong, and now you go and do this?"
"He called Jack a danger. I don't care what he says about me, but the moment someone says something about my son, we're going to have a problem."
Paz drove the palm of her hand into her face. Was she the only grown up in this family? She was happy that Chico was very loving and protective of Jack, but still…
"It's our duty as Jack's parents to set an example."
"And it's also our duty as his parents to protect and defend him." Chico argued.
"Not by unnecessarily getting into fights. Honestly, you say that Jack takes after me in looks, but if that's true, then he definitely takes after you in personality."
"Yeah, I guess he does." Chico said with a grin.
Paz just shook her head as she walked to her room. "I was planning on treating you to something special tonight because of this morning, but after this, that's already off the table."
"What? Wait, Paz! Paz, come on! That's not fair!" Chico said before hanging his head low in defeat. "…Story of my life."
There's the second chapter. Thanks Lele for the support. Anyway, I better get back on my other fictions. Review please.