Richie's Surprise – Chapter 21
The ride back to the school was silent. Duncan was exhausted, but not too exhausted to be furious with his son, yet proud at the same time. He was so proud that Richie wanted to help, but he was furious that he actually showed up to the park. All the possible scenarios were racing through his head. None of them were good. Richie could have distracted him to the point of losing the battle. Richie could have gotten hurt or killed. The possibilities were endless.
Richie was silent and scared. His dad had promised him 'the hiding of his life.' He didn't know what that meant, but it didn't sound good. What was a hiding anyway? He was sure it involved no sitting in the foreseeable future. He wasn't sure his Uncle wasn't through with him either. Life was not going to be pleasant in the near future. Why didn't his dad understand he just wanted to help? AJ was more his responsibility than Duncan's anyway. Richie let out an audible sigh.
Duncan grimaced. He looked in his rearview mirror. "You got something to say, boy?" he growled.
Richie looked up, he didn't even realize he made a sound. "Uh, no dad," he said quietly. Richie looked around. Thank God, they had just arrived at school. He sat in the car, not moving.
Duncan turned around. "Well, what are ya waitin' for?" he asked.
"Dad, you have to sign me in." whispered Richie. Could this day get any worse? His dad was ready to kill him and now the head master would know he disobeyed him and left the school grounds. He was sure to get detention, which always doubled with being grounded at home. Richie suddenly realized what a really bad idea going to the park had been.
Duncan growled at Richie. "Come on then." He said as he starting getting out of the car. He turned to look at his son, "You best be standing right here when I come pick you up after school," he said pointing to a spot on the sidewalk.
"Yes, sir." Richie said softly.
Duncan couldn't stand it. Richie looked miserable. He actually looked like he might cry. Duncan took in a deep breath. "Richard?"
"Sir?" questioned Richie.
"Come here," his dad beckoned.
Richie moved closer to his dad. Duncan pulled him in for a hug. Richie relaxed in his dad's arms. Maybe he's only going to kill me a little, thought Richie. "I love you son and I am grateful you wanted to help, but you know you were wrong."
"I know." mumbled Richie into his dad's chest.
Duncan rubbed Richie's back and kissed his head. "You're still in trouble, you know." Duncan whispered into his hair.
"Yeah, I know." mumbled Richie again.
"Let's get you signed in." said Duncan opening the door into the school. He held the door open for Richie and let him pass. As Richie passed through, Duncan gave him a stinging swat.
"Ow!" Richie yelped rubbing his behind looking at his dad.
"Just a warm up lad, just a warm up." chuckled Duncan.
Richie glared. Duncan's eyebrows went up. "Check your attitude at the door, son."
Richie just kept walking into the office to get signed in.
AJ was completely oblivious to the goings on in the park and that her Papi had most likely saved her life and lives of many other little girls. She had slid into the seat next to Molly and was doing her best to keep her mind on the math lesson being taught by Mrs. P. 'Mrs. P.' she thought, that is a whole lot easier than trying to pronounce the teacher's last name. The math lesson was simple, she had already covered it in her previous school. AJ relaxed a little, 'maybe this school isn't so bad' she thought.
Finally, it was time for recess. AJ stood as Mrs. P announced recess. AJ wasn't quite sure what to do. Molly leaned over. "Come on, let's go get in line."
AJ followed Molly in line and outside to the playground. Molly ran off to play 4 square with some other girls. She stopped in mid run when she realized AJ hadn't followed her. She turned around. "Heh, AJ don't you want to play 4 square?"
AJ didn't know what to do. She could read the mind of the other girls, they didn't really want her to play with them. "Ummm, I don't know, maybe tomorrow," she hesitated.
"Oh, come on, it'll be fun," said Molly reaching for AJ's arm. AJ stepped back. Molly looked questioningly at her, "Don't you like 4 square? I thought everybody liked 4 square."
AJ nodded, "Yeah, I do, but I don't think those girls want me to play," she said wistfully, twirling her hair around her finger.
Molly scoffed, "Oh come on, you just need to give them a chance. If you give them a chance, they'll give you a chance."
AJ hesitated.
"Come on," cajoled Molly holding out her hand.
AJ finally gave in and went with Molly. Mrs. P stood by watching the two girls. She just knew putting a new student with Molly Reardon was the right thing to do. She smiled and walked over to check on some other students when she realized AJ was in good hands.
Molly and AJ walked up to the other girls. AJ could hear their thoughts. Most of the thoughts were 'I don't want that new girl to play'. AJ sighed. Molly reached the girls. "Come on guys, this is AJ, she likes to play 4 square just like us." Molly said as she picked up the ball and got on one of the squares. "Ok, come on AJ pick a square." Molly instructed.
AJ picked a square and glanced at the other girls, no one was moving. AJ looked at Molly, "I don't think anyone else wants to play," she whispered.
Molly glared at the other girls. Finally, Maddie stepped up and then Pilar stepped up. Molly smiled. "Ok let's get started."
By the time Mrs. P called them in from recess all 4 girls were fast friends and AJ's day was going great.
Before AJ knew it, her first day of school was over and she liked it! She couldn't wait to tell Papi and Mama what a great day she had.
When the final bell rang, she walked out with Molly and Pilar. "Do you think your parents would let you go ice skating on the weekend?" asked Molly.
AJ smiled, "Wow, I love ice skating. I'll have to ask. I'll let you know tomorrow." AJ was so happy. She already had her first play date. Just then, she saw her Papi's car. She ran toward the car.
"Hi Papi!" she squealed as she opened the door to the car and hopped in the back seat.
"How was your day darlin'?" Duncan asked smiling.
"Oh, Papi, it was great. I have a really nice teacher and the math was really easy and I met…." AJ spoke so fast she was out of breath.
"Take a breath darlin'." Duncan chuckled. "You need to slow down."
AJ blushed, "Oh, sorry." She looked around. "Where's Richie?"
"Oh, we are going to pick him up now. You get out of school first," responded Duncan.
Duncan pulled the car out of the parking lot and across the street to the boy's school. Duncan inwardly smiled, his son was exactly where he was supposed to be. Richie opened the door and got in the front seat. "Heh Dad, heh munchkin."
"Hi Richie. You're never gonna guess what happened at school today." AJ as she launched into a detailed blow by blow of her day. Richie was grateful. He knew his dad had promised him some kind of whipping when he got home and he was happy to listen to his little sister chatter to take his mind off it. Every so often he would interject a "Wow!" or "Cool!" so she would think he was listening.
Unfortunately for Richie, they got home way to soon. AJ jumped out of the car to run tell her mama about her day. Richie heard her calling for Tess as she ran up the stairs into the loft. He let out a huge sigh.
"Come on, son," said Duncan.
Richie was immobilized with fear. He had worked himself up into a state. He just sat there.
"Richie?" asked Duncan. When Duncan didn't get an answer, he started to get irritated. "Richard, you're in enough trouble as it is, I wouldn't add disrespect to it."
Richie still didn't say anything.
Duncan reached to pull on his arm and Richie flinched. Duncan was shocked, he didn't want his son to be afraid of him. Duncan changed his tactic and laid his hand on the back of Richie's head. "Son, look at me."
Richie turned toward his dad, the fear evident in his eyes.
Duncan took in a sharp breath, he could see the fear.
"Son, " he whispered, "Look at me."
Richie still didn't look.
Duncan gently took his hand from behind Richie's head and put his palm on Richie's cheek and turned Richie's face so they were looking face to face. "What's up buddy?" he asked.
Richie started to tear.
"Ah me boy, come hear." Duncan said gruffly pulling Richie into a hug. "Are you afraid?"
Richie nodded his head.
Duncan sighed. "Do ya trust me laddie?"
Richie nodded.
Duncan squeezed him. "Then ya know I won't be beatin' ya?"
"Da, I don't want a whipping." Richie said into Duncan's chest.
Duncan rubbed the back of his head. "I wouldn't think so." He chuckled.
"Please Da," Richie begged.
Duncan sighed again, he pulled back so he could look Richie in the face. He pulled Richie's chin up to look at him. "I love you too much not to punish you for what you did. It was far too dangerous. For you, for me and for your uncle."
"But Da," whined Richie.
"Son, if you delay much longer, your butt is definitely going to be more sore. Go on in and to your room. I want to go to talk to your mama first, but then I'll be down."
Richie sighed and got out of the car. You would of thought he was headed toward the gallows.