Wow, so many reviews for ch 1! Completely unexpected, but a lovely suprise. Thanks to everyone that reviewed.
Bobby gaped at Jack for a second before turning to face Susie. "Can I talk to you for a minute, you know, outside or something?"
"Yes of course." Susie bent down to address Jack. "We're just popping outside for a minute Jack, we'll be right back. You just sit tight in here ok?"
Jack didn't reply, simply kept staring at Bobby with those cool calm blue eyes. Bobby felt them burning into his back as he followed Susie out of her office and into the corridor.
"Is there a problem Mr Mercer?" Susie asked as soon as the door shut behind them, keeping her voice low and tone neutral.
"Yes there's a fucking problem. What the hell is he talking about 'When are we going home'? Is that why you've brought me here? You want me to take the kid home? Look after him and shit, save you the trouble. You want me to be his fucking father? Where the hell did you get that idea from?"
"It was something your mother mentioned before she died," Susie noted Bobby's head jerk up at the mention of Evelyn. "She said in passing to one of our social workers that if anything ever happened to her, she'd like Jack to be entrusted into you're care. The social worker made a note of this on Jack's file. Jack has no immediate biological family he can stay with, and as Jack's legal guardian Evelyn Mercer is entitled to dictate where she would like Jack to be placed in the case of an emergency. As the only written evidence we have we are entitled by law to respect Evelyn's wishes and enlist Jack into your care if you are willing to take him."
"I don't understand, why would Mom say something like that…she can't have known what was going to happen could she? This doesn't make sense…"
"I'm sorry Mr Mercer, I presumed you were already aware of these arrangements and that's why you agreed to come here today. Obviously I didn't plan for you to find out like that…but with no mention of Jack in Evelyn's will, we really had no other choice but to contact you. Look, I understand this I an incredibly stressful and emotional time for you, would you like me to leave you alone for a while to…"
"People keep asking me that. What do you expect me to do, cry or something? I appreciate your concern, but I'm sorry, I can't take Jack home with me. Hell, I don't even have a home at the moment. I don't have a girlfriend, I don't have a job, I don't have…well whatever it is Jack needs I don't have it and I can't give it to him. That kid, that little boy sitting in there, he's not anyone I know. He's not anything to do with me…well he is, I mean he was, I mean….I can't…I can't even look after myself, let alone a nine year old child."
Susie nodded her head. "Ok, if that's how you feel."
Bobby sighed in frustration. He hated this place, he hated this situation, and right now he hated himself. "It's not just a question about how I feel. Don't you see? It's just not me…I don't know anything about kids. I'm just…I don't need anything else in my life right now."
Susie nodded again. "Ok." Bobby stared at her. He'd expected her to get angry, or at the very least try and convince him to change his mind. "You've done nothing to reproach yourself about Mr Mercer, you know what's best for you in the present circumstances. You've no need to feel guilty."
"Thank you." Bobby said, the anger in his voice failing to completely conceal the undertone of relief. Susie nodded before turning back as if to enter the room. "Wait! What's going to happen to him?"
Susie shrugged. "You know better than anyone how the system works Mr Mercer. We're trying to trace his biological father, but he lost contact when Jack was just a baby. In the mean time, I expect Jack'll be sent to a group home. There seems little reason in trying to settle him with new foster carers, especially when his Dad could be found at any time."
"Yes well, that's what he needs isn't it. Jack should be with his Dad. Little boys need their Dads." Susie's smile didn't quite reach her eyes as she slipped back into the office, leaving Bobby standing alone in the corridor. He looked through the window and for a split second his eyes met Jack's. The disappointment that flooded out of them made Bobby's stomach tighten with guilt as he hurried down the stairs and out into the parking lot.
Bobby slammed the door shut so hard the whole car shuddered. He shoved the key in the ignition and slammed his foot down on the pedal. The car shot straight of the parking space only to be met by the sound of squealing breaks. Bobby gasped and jerked the car to a standstill.
"Learn to drive Asshole!" The driver of the other car yelled out the window as he reversed then sped around Bobby's car and out of the parking lot.
"SHIT!" Bobby yelled, slamming his fist against the steering wheel. The pain made him feel slightly better, but did nothing to ease the niggling in the pit of his stomach. "Shit, shit, shit, shit…" He mumbled as he put his head in his hands.
After a minute he open the door and stomped back towards Susie's office. As she handed him Jack's small duffle bag, Bobby noticed that for the first time that afternoon, Susie's eyes where smiling as well as her mouth.
Oh dear, that was pretty bad. But I wanted to post something. And now the initially introduction chapters are out the way, I can get down to the real nitty gritty of this story! More action coming soon, I promise. Please read and review, ideas, constructive criticism and opinions will be greatly appreciated!