Chapter 10
Mouth was sitting on a bench at the park while Jimmy and Keith were swinging on the swings.
"Jimmy, Keith," Mouth said. "10 more minutes and then we have to take Keith home."
"Okay Daddy," Jimmy said.
"Yes Uncle Mouth," Keith said.
Mouth looked over to see Chuck sitting down at another bench crying. Mouth got up and walked over to Chuck.
"Chuck?" Mouth asked.
Chuck quickly wiped his face and looked up.
"Hey Front Teeth," Chuck said. "What's up?"
"What's wrong?" Mouth asked.
"Nothing's wrong," Chuck lied. "I'm so very happy. Happy as happy can be. So happy. I'm happy. Or as they say in Spain, 'Yo soy feliz'."
"Chuck," Mouth said sitting down next to him.
"Beth and I told Jacob that his Grandpa Wade couldn't ever visit," Chuck sobbed. "He asked why and we told him that he's just not very nice."
"Oh," Mouth said.
"Then he asked if he would ever see his grandpa again and I told him no," Chuck sobbed. "He then told me that I'm the worst daddy ever and he hates me. My own son hates me."
"He's only 3," Mouth said. "He didn't mean it."
"Yes he did," Chuck sobbed. "He hates me."
"Chuck," Mouth said softly. "Children say stuff like that all the time when they're upset. One time when Jimmy was 4, he told me he hated me because I got the wrong kind of juice at the store. I mean it doesn't feel great, but I know my son loves me. Your son loves you too. Sure he's mad right now, but in no time, he'll be saying I love you again."
"Are you sure?" Chuck asked.
"Come here," Mouth said.
Mouth embraced Chuck tightly.
"It's okay," Mouth said softly.
Keith ran over to them.
"Chuck!" Keith cheered. "Is Jacob here?"
"He's not," Mouth said.
"Is Chuck crying?" Keith asked.
"Yeah," Mouth said. "Go back to the swings."
"Okay," Keith said running back to the swings. "Hey Jimmy. Looks like we get to stay longer!"
"Yay!" Jimmy cheered.
Mouth continued to embrace Chuck while he cried.
"It's going to be okay," Mouth said. "It's okay."