Terrence
Chapter 3: Playtime with Daddy
(Four Years after Terrence's birth)
Terrence ran around excitedly. His Dad had promised to play ball with him and this excited him a lot.
Dad rarely plays. – Terrence
Terry stepped into the house exhausted. He was greeted by the grinning face of his four-year old.
"Da…!" Terrence started.
"What did I tell you about that girly grin!" Terry exploded and boxed him, "grin like a man!"
Terrence flew clear across the room. He slammed into a wall and slowly slid to the ground. He tasted blood but swallowed it. Men didn't bleed they sweat. That's what his daddy said anyway.
"You still want to play ball or what?" Terry demanded.
Ball? – Terrence.
"If you don't want to…" Terry said simply even though in actuality was taunting the boy, "I'll just…"
"Ball!" Terrence cried and opened his eyes, his arms outstretched.
"Only if you can get up by yourself," Terry responded, "I'll have no wuss for a son," he added.
Terrence struggled and soon got up. Everywhere ached. But what did it matter? He was going to play ball with his dad.
Terry grinned.
Then he walked over to a night table and pulled out a key.
Terrence watched in awe as his father opened a special drawer and pulled out a blue ball.
It was a rubber ball that Terrence could barely cup in his small hands. But it was also the ball that his daddy played ball with him since he was almost three.
Messing with the special drawer meant punishment.
Tricia even got boxed once for bouncing into the night table. If Terry wasn't using it, it was out of bounds. Plain and simple.
"Follow me out back," Terry said formally.
Terrence straightened up and obeyed. Slouching was for grown-ups. Kids needed to stand straight to grow big and strong. Plus he didn't want a hunchback like his daddy threatened would happen if he disobeyed.
The back yard was a small patch of green. But it didn't stop Terry from tending the grass and remaining very proud of it. Now Terry threw the ball to Terrence who reached out eagerly to catch it. If he missed it five times the game was over. If he begged for more time and missed it ten times, then he'd get a beating for being clumsy.
Over an hour had gone and Terrence had missed only twice. His arms were tired but he was determined. Determined to enjoy every second he played ball with his father.
"Kiddo," Terry said and Terrence could tell he was tired, "how about we finish tomorrow?" he asked as he flung the ball to Terrence who barely caught it at the tip of his fingers.
"Aww…" Terrence started.
Terry's eyes darkened.
"Okay Daddy," Terrence immediately agreed.
Terry went inside and Terrence diligently followed.
Chapter 3 Completed
Thank you to all who've reviewed. Mac will be introduced in the next chapter.