Chapter 12 - Sugar and Gas Don't mix
Dean began being a regular fixture at Maplewood Drive. The boys were still not thrilled with him being there and Phillip was notorious for coming up with pranks to pull on Dean. Dean was patient though and took them all in stride as he waited for the boys to get used to him until the day when Phillip went too far. It started out like any other day, Dean had arrived at 6pm. By this time, Dean felt comfortable enough that he would try to help out with dinner by setting the table, put out the condiments, pour the wine, little things like that. When Dean had first arrived, Phillip had asked him if they could go the park after dinner and play some tag football. Dean had told him that he wasn't really dressed for that so they should probably do it another time. Upstairs in his room, Phillip stewed about the whole thing. He still wasn't that happy about his Mother dating this dweeb of a guy. It was embarrassing to tell his classmates that his Mother was seeing the weather guy. No one thought it was cool so he tried to hide it. His friends told him that he should make things uncomfortable for Dean so he would go away. He did try. He put glue on the on Dean's Chair at dinnertime so that his pants were glued to the chair. His Mother was sure mad at him for doing that. One time as Dean was walking near the staircase, Phillip dropped a toy on his head and then pretended that it dropped out of his hands. None of it worked. So one day, a friend told him the ultimate way to solve the problem. Phillip decided to try it out that night. While the adults were enjoying coffee and tea after dinner, Phillip snuck into the kitchen and took a bag of sugar out of the cupboard. He went out the back door and walked over to Dean's car where he poured the entire contents of the bag into the gas tank. He wasn't sure what to expect but he sneaked back in, threw the bag away and went back up to his room. Later when Dean started to leave, his car wouldn't start. He finally had to hire a tow truck to come pull it to the garage and Amanda drove him home that night. The next day, the garage called to tell him that his gas tank had sugar in it and that it had clogged up his fuel filter. It cost him about 200.00 to fix the car and have them dump all the sugar out. Thankfully it didn't do more damage than that but Dean was still upset. He called Amanda and told her what happened. When the boys were questioned after school, Phillip admitted to being the guilty party.
"Sweetheart, do you really dislike Dean that much."
"Nah, I was just angry because he wouldn't take me to the park. I'm sorry Mom. I know you like him and stuff. I'll try to be nicer to him."
Amanda said "You don't need to be jealous of him. I love you and you are always going to be my first priority; you and Jamie both. Please give him a chance."
"I will Mom. I'll apologize to him too. I didn't realize it would cost so much to fix the car. I just wanted to try to make him come around a little less often."
"Sweetheart, are you afraid that I will have less time for you? That would never happen. I am very fond of Dean but you are my son."
"Thanks Mom, I needed to hear that I guess."
Okay, why don't you go change your clothes and go out and play? There is an hour before dinner and Dean will not be over tonight, okay?"
"Sure and thanks for not being too angry with me Mom."
When Dean came over Friday night, Phillip met him at the front door and told him how sorry he was and offered to wash his car and clean it as a way to make up for it. Dean agreed it was a good idea and they made plans for him to do it the next day. After that, things seemed to calm down between the boys and Dean.
TBC