My note…I'm trying to keep the time line as consistent as possible, and only skip a few months at a time, but I need to age Tyler properly, to fit the story lines I have planned. This chapter is a plot builder, so it will be significantly shorter then the last.

THE EX FACTOR

CHAPTER 4: OPEN HOUSE

September 19, 2012

The private parochial school Craig insisted Tyler be enroll in for kindergarten, seemed like a great idea at the time...it was only three blocks from home, religion was part of the curriculum so there was no need for additional classes, and Craig was footing the bill...that is, until his child support checks started becoming more infrequent and less predictable, and Jimmy was forced to take on extra hours at work, to keep the boy there.

So, when it came time for first grade, Ashley and Jimmy took it upon themselves to switch Tyler over to the public school. The one they had both gone to...together.

"I didn't think you'd make it", Ashley sighed with relief as her husband pulled up to her side.

"I didn't think I was going to make it here either", Jimmy chuckled breathlessly and tugged gently on her hand...the universal sign that stood for 'get down here and kiss me'. "Where's Tyler?", he asked, trying futilely to see amid the mass of parents gathering in front of the school.

"Playground", Ashley giggled, motioning over her shoulder. "He said he was going to watch for you from the top of the lookout. He couldn't see anything from down here".

"Yeah, I know how he feels", Jimmy quipped, winking playfully up at Ashley. She rolled her eyes dramatically and smirk, the most common reaction she had to her husbands sense of humor. Jimmy returned Ashley's smile and motioned over his shoulder, "I should go find him".

From his perch, Tyler could see Jimmy coming up the sidewalk. He was about to head down the spiral slide and call out to his stepfather, when a voice stopped him. "Check out the dude in the wheelchair", chuckled one of the older boys.

"I wonder if he's one of the dads", his chubby friend to the right added with a giggle.

The first boy shook his head. "I feel sorry for that kid", he quipped, a frown that was a cross between disgust and pity, gracing his face.

"W-why?", Tyler asked meekly.

The boy took off his baseball cap as he turned to face Tyler, and placed a hand on the younger boys shoulder. "Cause kid...cripples can't be good dads", he stated ignorantly, with all of the wisdom of his vast twelve years.

"Yeah, it's not like he can play or do fun things with his kid", the friend concurred.

Their words were beginning to stir confusion up in Tyler...sure there were a few things that he and Jimmy weren't able to do together, but it wasn't that big of a deal, and they always had a lot of fun...

"That would totally suck, having a dad that couldn't play football, or go bike riding, or...".

"Or walk", the chubby one snorted, and they both starting laughing...as did many of the other kids.

"Yeah, my little sister can walk, and she's not even a year old yet", another little girl added, naively.

Tyler was trying bravely to fight back the tears that were starting to well, as he sank back into the corner of the lookout. Thankfully, it was only a matter of seconds before a myriad of names were called out, and the other kids went scampering over to their parents.

As the crowd huddled into the school, Ashley looked over her shoulder, to where he husband and son should be, but found only Jimmy, with a look of dread covering his face...and raced over to his side. "Where is he?", she asked breathlessly.

"I don't know", Jimmy gasped in reply. "I wasn't able to spot him in the group of kids playing, so I called out his name...but that was about the same time the other parents called for their kids...and when they all ran toward the school at the same time...".

His words trailed off, and Ashley could hear the pain that laced them. "Maybe you just didn't see him", she suggested hopefully, even though her stomach was twisting into knots. "He's probably inside waiting for us".

Jimmy acknowledged Ashley's suggestion with a nod, and turned to follow her. "Ty", he called out as he they slowly made their way back to the school entrance.

"Tyler", Ashley parroted, her eyes scanning wildly for her little boy.

"There he is", Jimmy shouted, pointing over large oak tree near the swing set.

Ashley ran ahead and scooped up her son. "Oh honey, did you get lost?", she cried, her tone both relieved and sympathetic. Tyler shook his head and sniffled. "Then why are you crying?", she questioned, just as Jimmy pulled up next to them. He reached his hand out to rub the boys back.

Tyler lifted his head and looked between his mother and step father. "I don't wanna go in", he sniffled.

"Why?", Ashley asked incredulously...from all accounts, Tyler loved school, and couldn't wait for this open house so his parents could see his desk and meet his teachers.

He took a hesitant look back, at Jimmy. "My stomach hurts", he whispered tentatively, knowing full well that lying was wrong...although his tummy was starting to become slightly sore from all of the crying he was doing.

Ashley glanced worriedly over at Jimmy as she felt Tyler's forehead for a fever. "Okay, I can take you home if you'd like", she offered comfortingly, when she felt the clamminess of his skin. "...and Jimmy can go to your class...".

"NO", Tyler practically shouted, startling everyone. "I want you to go", he told his mother, as he let his eyes sweep the surroundings again. "Jimmy can take me home".

Oblivious of Tyler's true intent, Jimmy smiled when the boy 'chose' him over Ashley. "Okay", she nodded and willingly passed the boy over to his step father.

Tyler immediately slid off of his lap. "Don't you wanna ride?", Jimmy asked, surprised that he was passing up the opportunity to do what he loved best. Tyler shook his head grumpily, and wiped the itchy tear stains from his cheeks.

"I'll see you at home", Ashley stated, as she rose to kiss the tops of both their heads, then walked toward the entrance. She glanced over her shoulder one more time to see Tyler lagging behind, and Jimmy slowly down to keep up with his pace.

She really hoped Tyler wasn't getting sick so soon into first grade.

Ashley returned home about two and a half hours later, to an eerily quiet house. Passing through the kitchen, she found Jimmy sitting at the dining room table, with a stacks of books and papers surrounding him. "How was your evening?", she asked, snaking her arms around his shoulders.

"Okay", he answered with a drawn out sigh as he stretched.

"How's Tyler?", Ashley queried, but didn't wait for an answer after seeing his initial reaction. "He didn't throw up, did he?", she groaned.

Jimmy smiled and shook his head at Ashley's expression...she never did fare well when it came to that type of stomach upset. "No, he didn't", he assured her with a gentle chuckle. "He just seemed...off". For back of a better term, Tyler was acting strangely un-Tyler-like.

"Off?", Ashley asked curiously.

"Yeah, didn't want to take a bath...", Jimmy paused when he noticed the look Ashley was giving him. "...but I made him take one anyway". There was always a slight play-fullness between this couple, and Ashley smiled back at her husband. "Didn't want to read a bed time story or have a snack...just went right to bed".

"Weird", Ashley murmured, and got comfortable in the seat next to Jimmy. "All of his teachers said that he was doing great in school, a polite and well adjusted boy, friendly and...".

"Ash, he just had a stomach ache", Jimmy interrupted her concerned rambling, with a chuckle.

"I know", she sighed heavily. "It's just with the accident, the move, having to share custody with Craig, changing schools...".

"He's still a polite, friendly, well adjusted little boy", Jimmy cut in softly, as he caressed her cheek and eased her fears. Ashley nodded in agreement and let the subject slide for now.

"So he's asleep already?", she asked, her casualness almost suggestive. Jimmy grin widened and he nodded. "And this can wait 'til tomorrow?", her eyes swept over the papers Jimmy was working on. Another nod and Ashley rose from her seat, the seductive sway of her hips beckoning Jimmy to follow her to their bedroom for much needed intimate time...

...until their tenderness was shattered by cries coming from Tyler's room...

Hmmm, curious. Eh? I know how insensitive kids on the playground could be(having three younger sisters in pre/grade school), so I don't think I was too off on that. Tyler's reaction...he's smart, but only six and a half, so I think that maybe, even with how much he loves Jimmy, others opinions would be intimidating and have a huge impression on him. Well, that's what I'm aiming to explore, anyway.

Like I said before this chapter is a filler that's setting us up for what is to come...that I figured I should get it up while on this roll I seem to be on(don't expect it to keep going this smoothly...I'm sure there a stone in the road somewhere:). But as for now, I'm going to go and enjoy this beautiful day!

Degrassi is not mine.