Summary: One of the boys receives shocking news. He doesn't know what to think of it, and neither do the others. What will he do about it? What can he do about it, if he can't take back the past?

Author's Note: Thank you a hundred times to all my reviewers! You guys are the best. That's all I have to say for now. Don't stop being so great!

Disclaimer: Holes is owned by Louis Sachar, I have no part of it. He's the brain of the operation. Hats off to him!

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Chapter Three: Taking Care of Business

Now that Magnet had made a definite decision to help out Charisma, he needed to figure out what he could do to help.

He got up, intending to go over to the wreck room to talk to the boys. However, his trip was postponed as Mr. Pendanski was blocking his way out.

"Well, José. The warden and I decided you can sleep on this spare mattress," he pointed to the mattress outside the tent flap, "that is, until we can get you another cot. Your lucky we ain't making you pay for that," at this Magnet tried his best not to roll his eyes, how was he possibly going to get any money while stuck at camp?

The counselor continued, "Just take the sheets from your old cot and this'll be good as new. Fold it up and leave it by the entrance, we'll have one of the boys pick it up later," with that he left.

Magnet stared at the mattress. After several moments of staring he decided it didn't look so bad. It actually looked better than his old cot did. It had a lot more cushion, and it didn't have any stains or springs sticking out. He began putting the covers on, when he got an idea.

"Wait! Yo, Mom," he yelled. He ran in the direction of where the counselor went. When he saw him he yelled again, "Hold up!"

Mr. Pendanski stopped and turned around, "What?"

"You know those kids who work around the camp?" Mr. Pendanski nodded impatiently, "Do they get money for that?"

The older man looked surprised and confused at the same time, "Some, yes. Why?"

"Well, it's just that I'm gonna need it. I get out in, like, five or six months. I'm gonna need some money. You know, for school and that kinda stuff," he hoped the counselor would be convinced.

But, of course he wasn't, "There are ways to get free schooling, and supplies even. Why else would you need money?"

Magnet looked down to the floor, "Well, I'd need my own place." 'Please don't start askin' questions,' he prayed to himself.

"Why would you need your own place?"

" It's kinda personal."

"Maybe the warden would like to hear about this."

"What? Just 'cause it's personal?" he asked, completely confused. Why would she even care?

"Tell me and I can say if it's the warden's business or not. If you don't tell me, than I can't help you," Mr. Pendanski stated simply.

"Alright, alright. I got kicked out of my house when I got sent here, and no one's gonna want to take in two teens…and a baby," he could feel his face quickly becoming red, he couldn't believe he was telling Mom about his problems.

"What, did your siblings get kicked out too?"

"No," he could have slapped himself right there. Why didn't he just lie, it would have been much less awkward.

"Well, then who are the two other people?"

"Me, my girl, and…my kid," he finally looked up to see how Mr. Pendanski was going to react.

The "psychologist" didn't know what to say, he didn't expect that. "Well…uh…" he began to stutter. Then he seemed to regain his composure, "Isn't that just too bad for you?"

Magnet's widened, how could this man be so harsh. "Yeah, I guess…" he didn't know what else to say. But he knew he needed to save money and he would do anything he could, "So, how do I get a job 'round here?"

Mr. Pendanski looked the boy up and down, "Well, you gotta talk to the warden."

Magnet's mouth went slack. This man just made him explain everything so he didn't have to explain it to the warden, and now he was expected to explain to her anyways?

He gritted his teeth and said, "So, where's the warden?"

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"What do you think he's gonna do? You think he's gonna take care of it when he goes back, or just forget about it?" Squid asked.

"Why do you care? It's none of your business, remember?" X-Ray replied.

"I dunno. I think he should take care of it. I mean, I know what it's like when your dad doesn't want you. It sucks is all," he shrugged and plopped himself on the couch.

"I don't think he's gonna do jack squat for this kid. I mean, he's a kid for Christ's sake," X-Ray voiced.

 "How's he gonna take care of a baby when he can barely take care of himself? And he obviously wasn't doin' too great a job on that, look where he is now," he pointed out.  

"Yeah, but he doesn't seem like the kind to just forget that he has a kid out there. I mean, look at why's he's here in the first place. He thought it was criminal how they kept puppies locked up in cages. He cared about the dog, he was going to try and take care of it wasn't he? Why wouldn't he do the same for his kid?" Armpit commented.

They stood quiet, then Stanley, who had been closed-mouthed about the situation, said, "I don't even know what I'd do. Think about it, what would you do in his shoes?"

This got everyone concentrating. They were still thinking when Mr. Pendanski yelled to the boys it was dinnertime. They broke out of their trance and all looked at each other, seemingly thinking the same as one another. They shook their heads, as if to shake away any of their disturbing thoughts. They silently made their way to the dinning hall.

No one had noticed Magnet was missing from the line until they went to get their dinner. X-Ray was first, as was usual. He was about to walk away, until he glanced at the person serving his food, "Magnet?"

"Don't say a word," was all Magnet said as he plopped some substance that was to pass as beans onto Squid's plate.

"What're you doin' here?" Squid asked, shocked. Everyone was silent a moment as they realized what was going on.

That is until Squid and X-Ray broke out laughing. Their laughter was so contagious that Magnet couldn't help but laugh along. It was kind of ridiculous. He was serving them the very food he despised, plus he knew he had to look stupid as hell. 

Tears were threatening to come out of their eyes, when the head "chef" came over by Magnet and gave him a warning eye. "I'll explain later. Now get out of here before I get in more trouble," he shooed them away and went on to serve the others in line.

Later that night, at around ten o'clock, Magnet came slowly into the tent. He didn't say a word, just flopped down on his mattress. Zigzag had been sitting on the floor with Squid playing a poker game, although not really gambling anything, just using small rocks and pebbles. X-Ray had managed to mysteriously find them lying on the ground behind their tent.

A few seconds passed, then Zigzag asked, "Are you gonna explain sometime tonight?"

There was no answer from the exhausted teenager. Zigzag crawled over to the makeshift bed. He looked at the boy a moment and got a bit closer to listen to his breathing. "He's dead asleep," he declared.

"No way, he just laid down," Armpit exclaimed. "Yo, Magnet! Yo, I'm talking to you, answer me."

There was no answer. Just when Armpit opened his mouth to speak again, X-Ray cut in, "I think he really is sleeping. Let the kid get some rest. He'll explain tomorrow." And he too settled himself for bed.

The others took that as an example and tucked themselves in for the night.

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Author's Note: That's the end of chapter three. How's it been coming along? Be sure to tell me in a review. I love those suckers! I'm trying to post one chapter every week so as not to let you readers forget about me. And there's plenty of time for readers to read and review. Thank you!

XOXOXO – Lilac Bloom