Chapter Four: Hot Water
0934 Hours, May 12, 2561. Near UNSC Chariot Naval Air Base, Desmond, Regent State, Planet Mars. Inner Colonies. Prologue to the Enemy of My Enemy
The past couple days had been interesting. I was starting to learn more about Chief, and being a dog owner, and he was learning more about me, too. He kept me company and busy during the day, taking him out for runs in the morning, walks in the afternoon and evenings after dinner, and caring for him and playing with him in between. We spent a lot of time out on the grass, or even just inside on the couch together. I'd bought him two cushy dog beds - one for the living room, and one for my bedroom, although he was already getting into the habit of sleeping at the foot of my bed. It was going to be exciting for the kids when Willis dropped them off today, and I was especially curious to see what Logan was going to think of our new roommate.
But that wouldn't happen until later. In the meantime, I went running with Chief by my side this time, on his leash, then stopped by the park again afterward. Chief laid down in the grass, his big, wet tongue out as he panted from the exercise. I ran some water from a nearby public spigot and he lapped it up happily as I drank from my bottle. Then I got to work on my usual reps, and he stayed close behind.
When I was finally done I sat down on the grass with him and pet his head, then scratched him behind his ears. He put his head in my lap and closed his eyes, content. I was just about to walk us home when I felt my datapad buzz in my pocket. I reached over to pull it out and read the message, frowning.
It was from Gabe's school. He was in the principal's office, and it requested that both Willis and I present ourselves for a meeting with him and our oldest son later this morning.
That wasn't good.
"Well, Chief," I said to him, giving him one last pat on the head. "Looks like my kid is in trouble. We're going to have to go home and see what's going on."
After I showered and dressed in my civvies - a simple T-shirt and jeans, given the warm weather - I poured out some food and fresh water for Chief, then promised him I'd be back soon. This was going to be his first experience home alone, but I figured I shouldn't be gone more than an hour. He'd be okay.
In the meantime, depending on what my son had done, he wouldn't. If he was in trouble at school he'd be in trouble at home, and I was already brainstorming what form of discipline he might receive as I made my way over. His twin siblings, Liam and Olivia, were also at the same school, while Logan was in daycare whenever Willis had the kids during the week.
The elementary school was right near the base, and I pulled into the parking lot with a few minutes to spare before the meeting. Willis pulled up behind me. I put on my sunglasses against the bright, late-morning rays and decided to wait for him.
"Any idea what this is about?" he asked, and I shrugged in response.
"I just got a message to come."
Willis sighed. "Yeah, me, too. Let's go in."
We went to the school's main office together, got visitor badges, and then made our way to the principal's office. Gabriel was still sitting there, looking upset and bored out of his mind.
"Thank you for coming in," Principal Gupta said. He stood to shake both our hands, adjusted his tie, then gestured to the two cushioned seats in front of him. In contrast, Gabe sat in a hard plastic chair in a corner of the room, closer to the door. The principal indicated he should move up now.
"Gabriel, if you will. Come join your parents, please."
"Fine," my oldest grumbled, and got up to scoot his chair between ours.
Gupta brought his hands together in front of him and began. "I'm sorry to call you two in on such short notice. But your son has had...numerous incidents this week, and today things got particularly bad." He looked to Gabe now. "Tell them what happened, son."
Gabriel folded his arms across his chest and slumped in his seat in a show of defiance, but answered as he'd been told. "I punched Eddie today."
"You what?" Willis nearly shouted.
"Gabe, why did you do that? Why would you hit your friend?" I asked, still firm but a bit more gently.
Our son's lower lip quivered, but he said nothing.
"Given his recent behavior, I'd like to ask...is there anything going on at home?" Gupta questioned. "All of this appears to be new, as he's always been a good student before now. No other disciplinary marks are in his chart."
At that Willis and I fell silent, and we quickly glanced at one another.
"His mother and I are currently separated," Willis answered.
"But that's been the case since we came home from deployment a couple months ago," I added. "I don't see why - "
Principal Gupta smiled patiently. "Ah. This is actually quite common. When things change so drastically and suddenly at home, the child acts out. It's...an adjustment, so sometimes it doesn't manifest itself right away."
"So what can we do?" I asked.
"I might consider counseling for him here at school, if you feel he needs it. He may be feeling sad or angry or confused, which is often the case in these situations, and they can help him navigate that. If you're so inclined, you may also wish to do family counseling, so everyone can benefit."
"What about Liam and Olivia?" Willis asked. "Any problems with them?"
Gupta shook his head. "None so far, no. But now that I realize what's going on, I'll have their teacher keep an eye out." He finally turned to Gabriel again. "As for you, young man, you are suspended for the remainder of the week. We do not tolerate physical harm against others, no matter the reason." Then he looked at me and Willis in turn. "I imagine there will be appropriate action taken at home, as well."
"You can count on it, sir," I said, giving my son a look. "Thank you for your time, and I apologize on Gabriel's behalf."
Gupta nodded, but Willis stood and made his way over to our son.
"No. It's up to him to make this right. Gabriel, you apologize to your principal. And when you get back, to Eddie, too."
Gabriel still seemed upset, but glanced up and said, "I'm sorry, Mr. Gupta."
"Thank you, Gabe. Be well, and see you Monday."
The walk back out to our cars was an unpleasant one, and I figured my son must be feeling more and more anxious the longer his father and I didn't speak. We finally stopped in the shade of a tree just before the parking lot, and Willis let out a long sigh, composing himself. Then he took our son gently by the shoulders.
"Gabriel," he said in a level voice, "Tell me and Mom exactly what happened today."
I folded my arms across my chest. "And what's been going on the rest of this week. The principal said you got into trouble before now, too."
Again I saw his lip quiver, and he answered, "I don't know."
"Try, Gabe," I said.
At that he sniffled, his green eyes welling up with tears. "I've just been...mad. And sad. And I...I don't want to live in two houses! I don't want you guys broken up! I just want to go home, and I want Mom to come home!"
My heart broke with each of his words. I was again reminded that I'd caused this - that me and Willis had attributed to this together, and that our children were hurting for it. It made me feel like absolute shit. But it was what it was, and now we'd have to help them transition.
I leaned down to give him a hug, and Gabriel began to cry into my shoulder. Willis moved closer to rub his back.
"Gabriel, I'm so sorry, baby. I'm so sorry things are like this, and I'm sorry this is hurting you. But know that even if we're not together, your father and I still love you, and your brothers and your sister, more than anything in the whole world. That will never, ever, ever change, okay? Your dad and I splitting up is not your fault."
"Okay," he sobbed.
"And I know things are...very hard right now. But that doesn't ever give you the right to hit someone else, got it? That is not acceptable."
He sniffled and nodded his head, his face still in my shoulder.
"Your mother's right, Gabriel," Willis said. "Hitting someone and getting suspended from school is a very big deal. You're getting grounded at home, too. No friends, no toys, no datapad, for three weeks."
Gabriel was still crying, but he nodded again.
"Now come on. We'll see each other later today, okay? Your dad's going to take you to daycare now with your little brother until he's done at work."
"Okay."
I gave him another tight hug, then released him so Willis could, too. I followed them to Willis's car, until our oldest son was safely in the backseat. Willis shut the car door, then turned to face me.
"We've got a lot of this coming our way now," he said sadly. "Better brace yourself."
"I know. But they still know right from wrong, Will. If he's been acting up in class, and hit his friend, he needs to be punished for that."
"I agree. But it's not totally his fault. He's just...heartbroken by all of this."
"We all are."
Willis quirked an eyebrow at me when I said it. I hadn't meant to; it kind of just came out.
"We agreed this was for the best back on Puget, Natalie. After everything - "
"Yes, and I still believe that. We're not...I'm not ready to do anything differently. We need to give this separation time to work." I swallowed. But that doesn't mean I've stopped feeling, I added to myself.
He sighed. "Right. Well, I'll try to get the whole story out of this kid, and let you know what he says."
"Okay. I'll see you guys tonight?"
He nodded. "See you tonight, Coop."