Higher Ground

The High Life

Father and Son

It was the end of another day at horizon and the Cliffhangers had been given free time to relax. Most had found a quiet place in the mess hall to watch TV or read a book. Damien had decided to practice his technique in football and after a while kicking the ball around decided to find the others. As he walked in to the mess hall he saw Patrick sprawled out over the main sofa reading his English book. Damien walked up behind him and as a prank, picked up a pillow and hit him over the head lightly. Patrick pulled the pillow away before he realized who his aggravator was.

"Damien, mate where ya been, I feel like I haven't seen you in ages", Patrick grinned.

"We share the same room, man, I saw you this morning", Damien said as he sat down on the chair across from him. "What chapter you up to?" he indicated Patrick's book.

"Oh, um 17", Patrick looked puzzled at his book. He had no idea what chapter he was up to. 17 sounded good.

"That book only has 12 chapters and you're novels right at the beginning", Damien was confused.

"Page 17. You didn't let me finish", Patrick covered up.

"You ok. Pat?

"Why wouldn't I be?" answering a question with a question always got people off his back.

"Ok, um, well I'm going to go find Binna, he owes me a game", Damien held the football up as he walked away.

Patrick watched as he left through the door before getting up to look around the room. He needed to talk to Charlie. He found her watching TV by herself.

"Ok, what do I do", he said unexpectedly as Charlie turned around to see who was interrupting her much needed TV time.

"What do you mean what do you do", she was confused.

"You know what I'm talking about", he replied.

"Do I?" she was teasing him now.

"Forget it", he turned away.

"Wait, wait, wait", she said before he left. "You want to know what to do about you're dyslexia problem?"

He turned to face her embarrassed. "Don't judge me", he said in a kind of joking way.

"Lets go talk to Peter"; she turned the TV off and led him out of the mess hall.

"I can't believe this got passed everyone. I mean, how did we not know about this", Peter sat at his desk, annoyed at himself for not realizing Patrick was dyslexic.

"Calm down, Peter", Sophie told him, "We can't know every little thing about every student".

"Dyslexia is not a little thing, Soph", he said. "How has he been able to study? He can't read. It was my responsibility to find out his weaknesses and I failed".

"I'm sure he doesn't see it that way", Sophie said. "Peter, yes it was a shock, no, you did not fail him, but can we deal with this? Absolutely".

Peter put his pen down and sighed. He knew she was right.

Ezra was nervous to see his biological parents again. He couldn't believe his luck, finally finding his real mother and father and the best bit; that they were actually pretty cool people. As he thought about this, the car he had come to recognize drove up the driveway and parked by Peter's office. Janine and Barry got out of the car and walked to him. After the greetings were over, Ezra wanted to know what they were going to do today.

"So. What are we doing today?" he asked, "There's still a lot that I haven't shown you".

"Ezra, sit down", Janine told him with pity in her face. "There's something important we have to say to you".

Ezra sat back down on the bench, worried about what was inevitably going to follow.

"Ok, what is it", he asked a little hesitant. He wasn't so sure he really wanted to know.

"This is so hard", Barry looked at Janine.

"Ezra, we were young when we had you…"

"And now almost 18 years after…" Barry and Janine took turns to freak Ezra out.

"We have a 13 year old and a 7 year old", Janine finished.

"Well, I did expect you to have kids", Ezra said.

"That's not the point Ezra", Janine told him.

"Well, what is the point?" Ezra was getting very apprehensive.

"Our kids don't know about you", Barry said, "And we're afraid that if we told them it would open up something we don't want to open".

"So you're keeping me a secret", Ezra knew this was it for him and his biological parents. He didn't know whether to be angry or sad. All he knew was that his parents didn't want anything to do with him.

"We came here, to at least see you, talk to you. But we knew from then on, you could only ever be a fond memory", Janine said. That was it. Ezra was angry.

"You think you could of told me about this little detail", he asked quietly gritting his teeth.

"We're sorry Ezra", Janine looked at him sorrowfully.

"Don't tell me you're sorry", he stood up. He couldn't control his fury any longer. "Could you possibly be any more selfish? You come here, took me out to lunch to butter me up and now you're throwing me away like none of this even happened". He was yelling now, letting all his anger out. "If you wanted nothing to do with me, why did you come here? Huh? Why did you give me hope when you knew there was none?"

"Ezra we wanted to come here to tell you in person", Barry told him.

"And you thought that was a good plan? Seriously?" Ezra almost had to laugh. "Before you were nameless, faceless. Now I've seen you, seen what you're like. Stupid me, I thought you were actually great people. And now every time I think of my wonderful biological parents, I can know that they didn't want me. So thank you. Thank you so much for giving me yet another fantastic memory", he smiled with bitter sarcasm before walking away, never to see them again.

Already for most of the Cliffhangers, the day seemed like it would never end. With confrontation after confrontation, Binna had to get out. He sat by himself at the docks, thinking about the past week. He couldn't believe that he'd found his father, or even more strange that he's father had found him. He heard someone behind him. He turned around to see the shiny black boots and expensive suede coat that looked like it was bought by a mafia boss.

"You're friend Damien said I could find you here", George said.

Binna turned back and looked out to the water wondering if he should jump or not.

"I'm sorry", George said once again, "I know you don't want to here it, but I would say it a million times if I thought we could come to some agreement".

Binna laughed bitterly. "You sound like a politician telling a hooker not to sell her story."

"Can I please just talk?" George asked, silencing Binna. "Firstly, I hate myself for what I did to you and your mother. I think about it every day. 18 years of wondering how you were doing, what you were like. Whether or not you looked like me. The truth is when your mother became pregnant, my dad threatened to cut me off. And although I hated doing it, I had to leave. I can't change that. I wish I could but I can't. Then one day, I opened up my newspaper and on the front cover, I read how a boy of 16 years old had robbed a New York Liquors Store. And I read that when he got caught by a cop, he held him up by threatening to slit his throat", George looked at Binna to see what kind of an impact he was making. He realized that Binna was teary, about to cry. "After about 5 minutes the cop tried to break loose from the young boys grip. But it was too late. The knife had gotten him, square in the chest". Binna sniffed back tears. "He was dead. That boy was you Binna".

"I don't know how it happened. It was accident, he moved forward into the knife. He… he…I wasn't gonna hurt anybody, I just needed some cash", Binna cried panicking; almost pleading with the man without knowing what he was pleading for.

"Its ok, I believe you", George sat down next to him. He wanted desperately to take his son into his arms and comfort him, but he didn't want to freak him out anymore than he already had. "I believe you". Binna looked up at George, his tears flowing freely. He couldn't believe that this man was on his side.

"You believe me?"

"We all make mistakes, Binna. We've both made some big ones. But some mistakes deserve second chances", George said finally.

"You want one?" Binna asked mercilessly.

"I don't deserve it. But yes. I want one", George replied.

Binna pulled his dangling legs up to his chest. "Then you've got one, don't screw it up".

It was morning at Horizon as the group sat down ready to chow into their breakfast in the cafeteria.

"Hello lovelies", came Ryder with his strong English accent, as he sat down next to Shayne and Kat.

"Well, you're in a good mood", Shayne pointed out.

"So, who'd you make cry so early in the morning", Charlie asked.

Oh please, you give me too much credit. Can't a man just be fantastically happy?" Ryder replied.

"Well, you'll be proud to know that I just had my first reading lesson", Patrick sat down with his tray next to Charlie.

"Alright Irish", Charlie congratulated him. "And how was it?"

"Boring. But I did learn a few things about Roger. Did you guys know he was dyslexic?" Patrick asked, a smile on his face.

"Ah see, I told you. Its pretty common", Charlie said.

"Hey, where's EZ. I wanna tell him".

"He's parents are leaving today. I'm guessing he's saying goodbye to them". Damien pointed out.

In the boy's dorm room, Ezra was still in bed. He wasn't in the mood to get up at all that day. He wanted to be alone, surrounded by his thoughts. He pulled his blanket up over his head as he heard a knock on the door. He knew who it was. But he didn't want to see them.

"Ezra?" Barry called from outside. "Are you in there?"

"Ezra, come on we know you're in there", Janine said. "Don't you want to say Goodbye?"

Ezra said nothing. Instead he shut his eyes hoping that they would get the message and leave.

"I guess not", Barry said. As Ezra heard them walking away, he got up out of bed and peered out of the window. He promised himself it was the last time he would think about those people. He already had parents. They were all he needed.

As usual peter was working in his office as Sophie came in.

"What ya doin, mountain man?" she asked.

"Oh, just sorting out David's profile. He's one month evaluation is coming up next week", peter replied.

"Well, before you go any further. Pick up the phone, its David's father". Sophie told him.

He picked up the phone and got ready to speak to the general.

"Hello, Peter Scarbrow", he greeted him.

"Hello Mr. Scarbrow. This might sound a little strange, but I would like to speak to you about David", the General said.

"What's on your mind?" Peter asked.

"Well, Mr. Scarbrow. My son has run away. 3 weeks ago now. I just called as a last resort to see if he was there".

"I'm sorry, he ran away?" Peter was confused.

"Yes, that's what I said", the general was impatient.

"Uh, as a matter of fact, he is here. And he has been for about 3 weeks now", Peter told him. "I can assure you, I had no idea of this. He had you're credit card, I just assumed you knew".

"Well no, I didn't know. As I said, he ran away, took my credit card and some loose cash and he was gone", the General sounded very disapproving. "Did it not occur to you to call and verify this with me?"

"I'm terribly sorry. I assure that I will find out everything and get back to you. Do you want to speak to him?"

"No, he won't speak to me. I'm coming up there. I'll be their firs thing tomorrow morning", with that the General hung up. Peter was stunned. He couldn't' believe that David had lied to him all this time and he wondered how he'd succeeded for so long. He had to speak to him.

In the mess hall the group was watching a movie.

"God, I hate that guy. He thinks he's so cool", David muttered under his breath.

"Its only his character David, its not real", Shanyne jokingly reassured him.

"David?" Peter's voice crept eerily over David as he looked up. "Your in big trouble".

"I didn't do it", was David's immediate reaction.

"Follow me to the office, please", Peter bellowed as David stood up and walked out of the mess hall.

"Wonder what that was about", Damien said.

"Guess we'll find out soon enough", Kat replied.

"Ugh, David's right. That guy is an ass", Charlie stood up, oblivious to the whole thing. As Patrick laughed, he saw Ezra coming in.

"Hey, lad, where ya been", he asked.

"Just sleeping", Ezra said discreetly as he sat down.

"Jeez, I wish I could sleep that long. You've been sleeping since 8 last night", Patrick told him.

"So?"

"So its 4:30 in the afternoon", Patrick looked at his watch.

"So, did you see you're parents off", Kat asked.

"My parents never came", Ezra replied grimly.

"What?" Shayne chimed in, "You mean they weren't your biological parents?"

"No, they were my biological parents, but they weren't my parents", Ezra told them.

"What's going on, EZ, I thought you liked them", Binna asked.

"Yeah, that was until they told me they never want to see me again", he explained.

"Oh EZ, I'm sorry", Kat expressed her apologies.

"Its ok, whatever you know? I mean, the poor little adopted school boy act is a bit out, don't you think its like the oldest story in the book", Ezra said without a hint of pity in his voice.

"EZ, not if its you", Kat said.

"Kat, I'm fine, stop worrying", Ezra snapped. He had made a packed with himself never to think about them again and already he had broken it.

"So", Peter sat down at his desk after offering David the seat opposite. "Been keeping any secrets from me lately?"

"Ok, so the vase was old anyway and when you think about it, its not like I could really control where the ball was gonna hit", David said.

"What?"

"Nothin", David put his head down.

"Can I have your wallet?" Peter said unexpectedly.

"What do you want with my wallet?"

"Why are so worried about me having your wallet?" Peter asked.

"Because you're making me worried about you having my wallet, Come on, you're freaking me out, man", David was still unsure what was going on.

"Hand it over", Peter put his hand out to receive it. David reached into his jeans and gave it to Peter.

"Mind if I keep this?" Peter asked as he pulled out his credit card. "Its proof, that's all".

"Uh, proof of what?"

"Well. You see, tomorrow when your father arrives, he's gonna be very angry if I can't show him that in fact I do have your credit card, therefore, I had no reason to call him to verify that you should be here", Peter dropped the bomb.

The gig was up. "Oh", David lowered his head.

"Oh, indeed", Peter said.

"He called?"

"That he did. Landing you in a whole lot of boiling water", Peter replied.

"Look, I had to get away, ok. I mean, you've met my father, you know what he's like", David tried to explain.

"No, David, I really don't know what your fathers like. Because you've never told me. Yes I've met him, but that does not mean I know him", Peter told him.

David sighed. "What are you gonna do?"

"Well, you're father will be here early tomorrow, if you can't give me a reason for not going with him, then I'm sorry there's nothing I can do", Peter said.

"I'm not going back there", David yelled, panicked, "Don't make me, I wont".

"You know, all kids struggle with their parents, some a little more than others, but that still doesn't justify running away and getting high all the time", Peter stood up.

"Really, and you never did anything like that because your father, Peter, don't be a hypocrite", David said.

"For a while I didn't have anyone to go to and tell me how stupid it was. Maybe you didn't either. But you do now. And I'm telling you, if there is anything that you're father is doing that you think is wrong, tell me, or somebody else, I don't care. The fact is without you're fathers permission and without a plausible excuse, you have no choice but to go back home".

It was the end of the day and the end of the first visit from George Andretti. It was time to go. After spending most of the day with his lost son, he felt sure that this was the beginning of a new relationship.

"So, I guess this is it", George said as he got to his car.

"Yeah I guess", Binna replied.

There was silence between them as George's driver opened the door.

"So, I'll call"

"Yeah", Binna said almost too quickly. As they hugged each other, the driver climbed in to the front seat.

"Everything I said was true, ok. You're my son, I want to get to know you", George told him.

Binna smiled. "See ya, George".

"George?"

"I'm not ready to call you dad yet", Binna told him awkwardly.

George smiled before getting in the limo. "Keep in touch".

They regarded eachother. As George drove off Binna realized something. He finally had a father.

Well, that's it, folks. Next chapter up soon.

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