Peter walked down the sidewalk towards his house. He's a bit confused because he can see his father's truck in the driveway. Whenever his father was home he'd meet him at the bus stop and walk him to the house. He fixes his backpack making his way towards the door. He opens it and immediately hears his father's voice.
"Well, I want to get a start on it right away. I don't want the kid to be put into a home. His birthday is in two days." Val says. "Okay, you think you can do that? That'll work? Yeah, whatever you think is best. Shit, I have to go, Peter's home. Alright, I'll be here. Bye." Peter takes off his backpack putting it on the ground, slipping off his shoes. "Hey, bud, how was school?"
"It was okay. What are you doing home?" Peter asks.
"I was given a few weeks off," Val says. "Come here a second, bud." Peter nods, climbing onto one of the chairs at the table. "You remember my friend, Rick?"
"The one with the weird last name?" Peter asks.
"Yeah, him. He passed away today. He died. And his son doesn't have anywhere to go. I...I want to adopt him and bring him into our family." Val says.
"He has no family?" Peter asks.
"He has an older brother but he's only 20 and to be honest I don't think he's all that interested in taking him in," Val says. Peter scrunches up his face making Val laugh knowing that's his thinking face.
"I have always wanted a brother. How old is he?" Peter asks.
"He's twelve, he'll be turning thirteen in two days," Val says.
"What's his name?" Peter questions.
"Dustin Chuck Taylor Rude," Val says. "I should know more about it tonight. Get your homework done. No TV."
"Aw, Dad, come on," Peter says.
"No TV. Not tonight." Val says. Peter sighs but nods sliding off the chair grabbing his backpack. Before long it is time for dinner. "Chicken alfredo, with a little bit of garlic, I guess we'll see if your stomach can handle that huh? And your favorite fruits and veggies." Val says rubbing Peter's head.
"Thanks, Dad," Peter says. "Phone," Peter says pointing to the phone which had rung twice already.
"Ah, thanks, bud!" Val says grabbing it. Peter takes a few bites of the alfredo and knows it isn't going to sit well so he pushes it away eating the vegetables and fruits instead. Val comes over smiling. "Nuggets?"
"Yes, please," Peter says.
"Sure thing," Val says picking up the bowl with the alfredo in it. "That soon? Okay, yeah, I can pick up Peter after school and pick him up by 5? Just tell him it's one night. Thank you so much." Peter sips at his drink watching his father prep his food. It was nice to have him home.
"When is he coming?" Peter asks.
"Tomorrow. I'm going to pick you up from school and then we'll go get on a plane and get him." Val says. "You ready for your test tomorrow?"
"It's math, of course, I'm ready," Peter says. "My math teacher said that I could be at a high school's level right now. It's English I hate."
"I know you hate English but one day you'll feel differently," Val says.
"I doubt it. Where does Chuck live? You said we have to get on a plane, so he has to live far away." Peter asks.
"He lives in Kentucky," Val says.
"Is he going to be okay living in California?" Peter asks.
"I'm sure he'll be okay. I'm the only one that offered to take him in, that's got to count for something. We will probably have to stay a few days, but I gave your school a heads-up and they will let you make-up any homework you missed after we get back." Val says.
"Ugh, gee thanks," Peter says. "Why don't you want me to watch TV?"
"Something bad happened today is all," Val says putting the chicken nuggets on the plate.
"What happened?" Peter asks. Val sighs.
"Some kids were hurt and I just don't want you to see it," Val says.
"Okay," Peter says.
Peter is waiting after school for his father to pick him up. He sees his truck and runs out jumping into the passenger seat.
"So? How did it go?" Val asks.
"I was the first one done," Peter says. "Took me fifteen minutes, Dad. The teacher stopped me after class and gave me a middle school math book. She said I might as well start now."
"I've got a math genius on my hands do I?" Val asks. Peter just laughs looking back into the back at the bags.
"I could have helped you pack, you know?" Peter says.
"I know, but I wanted you to get a good night's sleep," Val says.
"That's a lot of bags," Peter says.
"Well, I don't know how long we are going to have to stay, bud," Val says.
"We have to get him a present for his birthday! Do you know what he likes?" Peter asks.
"I'm told he likes to draw," Val says. "We have time before we go see him, we can stop at an art supplies store if we can find one."
"Awesome!" Peter says. "I got most of my homework done at lunch…"
"Have kids been giving you a hard time again?" Val asks.
"They don't understand, Dad. Mac and DJ are out sick right now so I don't have anyone to sit with." Peter says.
"What about Wilson?" Val asks. Wilson was the only other kid with health problems.
"Dad, I can't sit with him. I eat peanut butter every single day, he's allergic." Peter says.
"Maybe you should buy when you can," Val says.
"And subject myself to the horrible stomach pain for the rest of the day? No thanks. I'd much rather eat alone. It really isn't that bad." Peter says.
"Well, maybe we should look into sports or something for you to do to find some friends?" Val asks pulling away.
"Wrestling?" Peter asks.
"We can try," Val says.
Peter holds the present close to his chest walking into the group home Chuck was currently in.
"Pete, stick close to me, will you?" Val says holding out his hand.
"Sorry, Dad," Peter says grabbing onto his hand. They slowly approach the office at the end of the hall.
"Dustin, for the last time, feet off the table," The social worker says.
"It's not like I don't want to go, I'd much rather not live with my brother but I only met him a few times," Chuck explains. "When I was younger."
"I'm sure it'll all work out, Dustin. He is offering to take you in after all. Your father must have meant a lot to him," The social worker says. "Ah, no, feet off." Val knocks on the door, Peter hiding behind him. The door opens to a tall blonde woman. "You must be Val. And this must be your son, Peter?"
"Yes, ma'am," Peter says shyly.
"Come on in," She says. Peter looks around spotting Chuck sitting on the couch feet laid out in front of him. Peter goes over to him holding out the present.
"Hi, I'm Peter. I...well, we got you a present," Peter says. Chuck takes the gift looking the kid up and down; he was skinny really skinny, and tanned, guess that's what happens when someone lives in California. Chuck rips open the present looking down at it smiling. A sketch pad, some expensive pens, and colored pencils.
"I could use these on my current project," Chuck says. "Thanks. I'm Chuck."
"What kind of stuff do you draw?" Peter asks.
"I draw people as animals," Chuck says. "I drew Sting as a crow. I'm drawing one of my friends right now as a peacock."
"How do you get the ideas?" Peter asks.
"Guess it is just based on personality and attitude," Chuck says. "My best friend has been begging me to do one of him for the longest time but I can't seem to make up my mind on his animal."
"Have you ever thought about doing mythical creatures? Or creatures that no longer exist?" Peter asks.
"No, not really, but I guess that could work," Chuck says smiling.
"Like a dinosaur or phoenix?" Peter asks.
"I don't know anything about dinosaurs," Chuck says.
"I do," Peter says. "I could help you!"
"I'd like that," Chuck says.
"Dustin, you'll be staying with them until the process is finalized, does that sound alright?" The social worker asks.
"Yeah, I'd much rather not spend another night here," Chuck says.
"I'll get your things," The social worker says. "Shouldn't be too long he didn't unpack."
"I was thinking maybe we could go shopping for your birthday?" Val asks. "I see you opened the gift we got you."
"Yes, sir, I really like it. It is going to come in handy," Chuck says. "You don't have to do that, you are already doing so much."
"But it's your birthday! You are going to be a teenager!" Peter shouts. "You only turn 13 once!"
"I guess that's true," Chuck says chuckling.
The next day was busy but Chuck had fun. By the time they got back to the hotel it was near 5 pm and Val asked Chuck to watch Peter for a bit. Both of them ended up pretty much passing out completely exhausted.
Chuck sits up when he hears the hotel room door open rubbing his eyes yawning.
"Leave him, come on," Val says gesturing for Chuck to come over to him. Chuck shrugs standing up careful not to step on the smaller boy. He had pretty much learned why Peter was so skinny and it kind of broke his heart a little. The kid was growing on him. "I...I went over to your house. Found these hidden in the closet." Chuck looks at him then at the bag which seems to be filled with birthday presents, presumably from his father. It honestly still didn't feel real. It still hadn't hit him yet.
He sits down being handed the first present. He quickly opens it gasping in surprise. "Shut up!"
"That probably wasn't the best present to start off with but I don't know what's in these so," Val says. Chuck turns the game boy color over in his hand. He opens a few other small gifts, all of which were games to go with his game boy. The last gift was bigger and heavy. He opens it looking down at it. There were three pictures; one when he was a baby, one with Joey, Dad and he and the last one was just a picture of the two of them.
"I'm really going to miss him," Chuck says.
"I know. You have to know that I'm not here to replace him. He was a good man and I owe a lot to him," Val says. "Now, I got to find a place around here that has chicken and vegetables. What do you want?"
"Philly cheesesteak?" Chuck asks. "Gyro?"
"We can try Philly cheesesteak," Val says. Chuck smiles nodding. Even with the loss of his father he had gained a brother and seemingly a father figure. Maybe things were going to turn out okay.