Chapter 2

"The hell I am, Mom!" KC yelled.

"KC, just give him a chance. I know you don't trust him, but you're just going to the grocery store. What makes you think he'll bring in funny business?" he told him. "Look, it's just one time. Who knows, maybe you guys can bond."

"I hope you don't plan on me talking to him." KC said.

"Just at least act like your enjoying it." Lisa said. "He really is trying KC. It's been two weeks and he hasn't done anything wrong or out of the ordinary."

"Two weeks isn't long, Mom." KC told her. "Fine, I'll be nice. But you owe me."

Two weeks have passed since KC's father moved back in with him and his mother. Even though he hasn't done anything wrong, KC still hated him. He never talked to him, only a 'hello' or a 'bye' was shared between them. He just felt like he didn't deserve it. His father pulled up and honked his horn for KC.

"Bye mom." He said, kissing her on the cheek. "If something happens I'll be on it. I hope you know that."

"Nothing is going to happen KC. Stop being paranoid." His mom said back to him.

KC walked out the door and took a deep breath. This was going to be a long day.

"Good morning son." Kevin happily said to him. KC mentally cringed at the word 'son'.

"Good morning, Kevin." He said back.

Kevin sighed and shook his head, but continued. "Hold on a second, I'm really thirsty." He pulled out a long, glass green bottle and poured himself a cup. "Want some?" he asked.

KC, saw this and couldn't help but think "Is he serious right now?". KC had just given him a chance to redeem himself, and he offers his son a drink?

"You're kidding, right? I mean, you can't be serious! What part of one slip up did you not-"

"KC, relax. It's apple cider. I'm telling you man, this is more addicting than any drug. Sure you don't want any?"

"No… thanks." He said. His dad finally started to drive.

"So…" his father started. "How have things been going?"

KC froze for a second. A lot of things have gone on since he'd been gone. Group home, becoming a teen father, adoption, even near-molestation. He wasn't sure how his dad would react, SO HE JUST SAID "Things…"

"Like?" his dad led on.

KC was just about to reluctantly spill his guts, but was saved when they arrived at the grocery store. "Ah! We're here."

"Ok, where's the list?"

KC dug into his front pockets and couldn't find it. He then checked his back ones and it wasn't there. Then he remembered setting the list down on the kitchen table before using the bathroom. He shook his head, realizing he had forgotten it.

"Crap… I think I left it at home." He said.

KC's father then charged at him with a cold slap to the face. Afterward, he kicked him while he was down shouting "You never do anything right!"

"KC?" his dad said, snapping in his face. "You ok?"

"Huh?"

"I said we'll just have your mom text it to us… You sick or something?"

'Wow' KC thought. He started to feel like his mom was right. Though he was still going to watch out for any flaws, he felt that maybe he was being a little paranoid. But who could blame him? He had been through a lot so he had every right to be.

"No, I'm fine… let's just call Mom." He said. "Sorry, it's just…"

"I know, KC. Trust me I know." He said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "I really am trying, KC. And I'll be damned if screw this up… I won't screw this up. Not again."

And for the first time in 2 weeks, KC genuinely smiled at his father.

The rest of the day went smoothly. They got all their groceries and even had some father-son bonding. They came home bursting with laughter.

"He really said that?" his dad asked, laughing.

"I know right? He sat there staring at her dead body and said 'Why didn't you just shut the fuck up!'. I spent the entire ride home laughing about it."

"Well… it's not like he wasn't right." They both looked at each other and burst into laughter again.

"Seems like you two had fun."

"Yeah… we really did." KC smiled. "I'm going to my room. Night, Mom. Night, Dad."

KC closed the door behind him and heard his father say "He actually called me… Dad."

KC smiled and pulled out his phone to call his best friend.

"KC! What's up, man?"

"Not much. I just spent the day with my dad."

"Oh… how bad was it?" he asked, worried. "Should I be setting up the guest room right now?"

"Actually… I had fun." He told him.

"Did you really?"

"Yeah. We actually had fun. It wasn't even awkward for us. We… we bonded."

"Wow, that's… that's awesome!"

"You wanna know the best part was?"

"Hm?"

"He called me his son. He actually called me his son." He said. "I mean, I was skeptical at first, but I think he's really trying."

"That's good to here, KC. I'm glad you two are finally getting along." He said to his best friend. "Not to down your mood or anything buddy, but you're still going to keep an eye on him right?"

"Of course, Drew. It's just… I feel like I don't have to make such a big deal about anymore. I think I can actually call him my father without being embarrassed or ashamed."

"So you're saying you're over everything he's done to you two?"

"Well… no. But it's just getting easier to forget about." He said.

"Well, good. That's where it starts. The saying is to forgive and forget, but the forgetting is always first. You're getting there, man."

"Yeah… Thanks for being here for me. I can't really talk about this to anyone but you."

"Yeah, I haven't seen my dad for a while. It's just his job but… I still miss him."

"You'll see him soon, dude."

"Yeah, I know. But hey, I'm happy for you guys. I hope things just get better." He said. "And if things go wrong, you know where to go."

"Thanks man. I, uh…" he started. "I… have to go. Later man, and thank you."

"Anytime."