Assassin's Creed (c) Ubisoft
There was a squealing whine, a loud clang followed by a bang, and the car slowly rolled to a stop, steam hissing out from beneath the hood. Haytham eyed the billowing silver clouds skeptically, luckily they had arrived at the school parking lot. At least he wasn't going to be late, Haytham glanced at Edward, he wasn't so sure that his father would make it to Uncle Áddie's shop on time. "Father?"
"Ah, fuck," Edward sighed, resting his head on the steering wheel. He put the car into park and turned the engine off. "Don't repeat that okay sea urchin?"
"Got it," Haytham sighed and unbuckled himself. He was early and wasn't in any rush to make it to the classroom. "You're going to be okay, right Father?"
"Yeah, yeah, I'll be fine," Edward sighed, sitting up right suddenly and resting his head against the head rest. "You go and have fun at school."
"Are we gonna need a new car?" Haytham asked, eyeing the still hissing steam.
"Eventually. Nothing I or Uncle Áddie can't fix," Edward said, smiling. He put his hand on Haytham's head. "Don't worry about it, son. I'll figure something out. I always do, don't I?"
"Yeah," Haytham agreed.
"Hey… I know school's ending for ya real quick, and ya be off for the summer. I was thinking, maybe… towards the end of summer, we can go take a trip."
"Really?" Haytham's eyes grew wide and a tiny bubble of excitement welled up within him. He quickly stamped it down though, no need to get his hopes up. Money was tight and trips were expensive. "Can we afford a trip?"
"Don't worry about the money," Edward snapped. Haytham flinched. "Ya too young to worry about it. Let me worry, okay?"
That's the problem. Haytham thought, I do worry. I may not say anything and you pretend I don't notice, but I do. I do notice how living paycheck to paycheck is taking its toll. You don't think I notice how you drink yourself into a stupor around the end of the month? Or that we visit Aunt Mary or Uncle Thatch around that time because there's not enough food and you know they'll feed us something decent or they come over with four bags of groceries or that you steal gas from the neighbours because it's either buy groceries or buy gas that week. I do notice these things, Father. "Alright," Haytham said. "I'll concentrate on school." I just put on this brave face for your sake.
"Good lad," Edward mumbled. "So, I was thinkin' if this works out we'll go to Disneyland for a few days; doesn't that sound good?"
Haytham smiled. "That sounds great," he said and hoped they could actually pull it off. He wondered if he should start a lemonade stand to help earn extra income. Kids did that, and he was pretty sure his father wouldn't object to it. He may be able to get his friends in on it too.
"Then its set, that's our plan for the summer, Disneyland in August, we'll have tons of fun," Edward said. Haytham swallowed, though he still smiled. "C'mere," Edward said and pulled Haytham into a tight hug. "Sorry I snapped at ya," he mumbled.
"It's okay Father, I understand," Haytham muttered. Not really, but I say it regardless because it makes you feel better.
"Remember Haytham, I'll whale always love ya," Edward said.
"Father…" Haytham sighed, "I love you too."
Edward smiled and kissed his son on the forehead. "Now, hurry off to school," Edward said, patting his son on the shoulder. Haytham nodded, eyed the car once, before opening the door and trotting up to the growing crowd of students. "Bye Haytham! Have fun at school, sea urchin!" Edward shouted, as he leaned over to pull the passenger door close. He saw Haytham shoot him a glare before running to join his little friends. Edward slammed the door close and started the engine.
The car protested, making a whirling whining sound. "C'mon, c'mon, c'mon! Start! Fucking start you fucking piece of shit!" Edward shouted, slamming his hand against the dash. He tried the key again, the engine protested once more before coughing into life. "Sweet baby Jaysus," Edward muttered, putting the car into drive and drove off to Ádewalé's shop.
It was a slow day and for that Edward was thankful for the car gave a wheezy sigh as he pulled into his parking spot behind Ádewalé's mechanic shop. "Áddie, Áddie," Edward called, as he got out of the car.
"What mon?" Ádewalé asked, pushing himself out from underneath a car. He glanced at Edward's car, smoking from beneath the hood. "What da fuck did ya do?" Ádewalé asked, half-outraged and half-disbelieving.
"I think she's on her last leg," Edward sighed.
"I'll say," Ádewalé agreed before finishing up what he was doing beneath the car he was working on. "You're lucky dat today is a slow day," Ádewalé grumbled as he walked over to Edward's car. "Pop da hood," he said. Edward popped the hood and when Ádewalé lifted it up, a large cloud of steam billowed up. Ádewalé backed away, coughing.
"Well? What's the matter?" Edward asked. Ádewalé glared at him, before looking at the car. He poked and prodded here and there, muttering to himself beneath his breath. Finally, he took a few steps back, wiping his hands on his orange handkerchief.
"She's fucked," Ádewalé said. "I suggest ya get a new car, put her down gently."
"Áddie, I can't exactly afford a new car right now," Edward explained, "she's all I got. Can she be fixed?"
"I can fix her," Ádewalé agreed, "well… at least she'll be able to limp a few more dousand miles. But it's—"
"Coming out of my pay check, I know, I know," Edward sighed. He ran his hand through his hair and muttered fuck beneath his breath. "I'll get a new car soon. Hopefully."
"It'll be safer," Ádewalé said.
"Just… please fix her," Edward sighed.
"I don't understand why ya're holdin' onto dis car so long," Ádewalé said.
"Are you kiddin' me? Haytham was nearly born in the backseat! Luckily I got to the hospital when I did, Tessa had complications with the birth," Edward said.
"Look, Edward," Ádewalé began, though he didn't really know what to say. Nobody did when it came to Tessa or Caroline. Edward refused to talk about either of his two wives. "I'll do what I can."
"Thanks, mate," Edward replied, "that's all I ask."
"Yeah, well ya better get to work," Ádewalé said. Edward laughed and headed off to man the stuffy little office.
Everyone in class looked up when the secretary poked her head into Mrs. Bruckley's classroom. "Haytham Kenway," the secretary said and everyone's eyes shot to Haytham and he froze, staring at the wall before looking at the rat faced woman. "Come with me," she said. Slowly, Haytham stood up, aware that everyone was staring at him, and briskly walked to the secretary.
The woman didn't say a word as she led Haytham out of the classroom, down the hall and then another until they reached the library, which was roughly at the center of the school. She led Haytham into the quiet library and to a desk in the far corner where a blond woman sat, thumbs tapping something out on her phone. The secretary cleared her throat and the woman looked up. "Thank you," she said and dismissed the secretary with a wave. "Sit, Haytham," the blond woman said.
Haytham sat, slipping his hands between his knees. "Uhm… am I in trouble?" he asked. The blond woman tapped one final button before looking at Haytham.
"What? No, no, no!" the woman assured him. "Tic-tac?" she offered Haytham the plastic box of mints. He shook his head. She shrugged and slipped it back into her bag. "I'm Lucy Miles." She smiled. Haytham mutely nodded. "Do you know why I'm here?"
"No?" Haytham arched a brow.
"I'm a social worker, I make sure children live in good homes with good parents," Lucy said, "that's my job."
"Are you going to take me away from my father?" Haytham asked, feeling his shoulders tense. "Cause there's nothing wrong at home. Father takes good care of me! He tries really hard and makes sure one of my aunts or uncles is there to watch me when he works late. He tells me not to swear and don't run yellow lights unless I know I can make it, and also to never hit a woman, because no decent man should ever hit a woman."
Lucy blinked and then smiled; it was forced. "I'm not here to take you away. I'm just here to ask some questions because Mrs. Müller from across the street is concerned about a boy living in your house."
"Mrs. Müller lost her marbles," Haytham said, "she called me Hayden once."
"Regardless," Lucy tsked, "I still have to investigate when she claims that abuse is going on in your home."
"There's no abuse," Haytham sighed. "Look, Ms. Miles—"
"Mrs. Miles," Lucy hissed.
"My father doesn't abuse me. I told you he takes very good care of me and Mrs. Müller is crazy. She keeps thinking my mother is alive and pregnant with me or she confuses us with the family that use to live in the house. There is nothing wrong. You can see for yourself that I'm fed, have clean clothes and I'm clean," Haytham said.
"Yes, but I must ask," Lucy said, "has your father ever touched you in a way that made you feel uncomfortable?"
"No!" Haytham shouted, standing up and slamming his hands down on the desk as he did so. "No! Never in a million years! My father loves me!" Haytham ignored the looks that pinch-faced Mrs. Kirja shot him.
"Haytham, please settle down, these are standard questions and—"
"No!" Haytham shouted. "I don't want to answer any more questions!" Haytham looked at the librarian. "Mrs. Kirja, I want to go back to my class. I don't want to talk to Ms. Miles—"
"Mrs. Miles!"
"Anymore. I don't feel safe around her."
"Ma'am," Mrs. Kirja said, coming over to their corner, "I must ask you to leave."
"With all due respect ma'am, these questions are standard questions for—"
"I do not care," Mrs. Kirja seethed, "I've met Mr. Kenway at a book fair in the fall. He's a charming roguish man, that's utterly devoted to his son! I assure you, I'd know if Mr. Kenway was a perverted sicko! Now, get out of my library and stop harassing my student!"
Lucy sighed, standing up. She closed her planner and grabbed her black leather purse. "I'm sorry if I disturbed you Haytham, but try to understand that all I want to do is help and to make sure you are in a good home."
"I am and I don't need your help," Haytham hissed. Lucy grimaced before walking off. Haytham watched her go, twisting the band of his watch.
"You don't have to go back to your classroom just yet, Haytham," Mrs. Kirja said.
"Thanks, I think I'll stay here for a bit," Haytham mumbled. Mrs. Kirja nodded and went back behind her desk, watching as Haytham wondered to the back of the library where the chapter books were and randomly pulled one off the shelf. He tucked himself up into a corner and began to read.
"Ow," Haytham grumbled, rubbing his head as he sat on the curb waiting for someone to pick him up. He glanced at his phone again. Still no call or text from his father. He ducked another flying pebble. "Ziio," he snapped, looking over at the Mohawk girl. She grinned.
"Didn't see you at lunch and you only came back to class after lunch recess, where were you?"
"In the library," Haytham muttered. "A social worker wanted to talk to me."
"Why? Is your dad a drug dealer?" Ziio asked, plopping down next to him. Haytham shook his head.
"Old Mrs. Müller from across the street called again, normally the person that answers the phone knows she's batty but this time I guess it got through," Haytham sighed.
"I'm sorry," Ziio said.
"Not your fault," he said, glancing at her and noticing the container she held. "What's in there?"
"Cookies, I made them myself," she explained, "wanna try one?"
"Sure." Haytham reached for a cookie, what seven-year-old would deny a cookie. He bit into it, smiling as the crunchy sweetness flooded his mouth. "What's the crunchy bits?"
"Grasshoppers," Ziio said, her face perfectly straight. Haytham's eyes grew wide and coughed out the bite into his hand. Ziio snickered as he tossed the chewed up cookie bit onto the ground. "I'm kidding," she said before he could toss the rest of the cookie. "I chopped up walnuts in there for a crunch."
Haytham glared at her. "Meanie," he muttered. Ziio laughed, leaning against him as he resumed eating the cookie. Haytham felt his cheeks flush as he felt her weight against him. "You practiced that."
"Yup," she agreed, "just for you."
He rolled his eyes and stared at her, noticing a turtle charm around her neck. "What's with the turtle?"
"Oh? It's symbolic," Ziio said, "my aunt carved it for me. Turtles are symbols of longevity and stability, plus there is the World Turtle that supports the world on her shell. It's also a symbol for women."
"So… it's like a good luck charm?" Haytham asked, he'd have to ask William to further explain the importance of turtles.
"I guess you can say that," Ziio shrugged, fiddling with her necklace. "What does Haytham mean?"
"It's Arabic for young eagle," he said.
"Eagles are important to my people, maybe I can bring you an eagle feather," Ziio said. "It'll look good with your pouch."
"No, I… it's fine Ziio," Haytham said, finishing the rest of his cookie. "Really, and look, my Uncle Thatch is here to pick me up." Haytham stood up, Ziio mimicking him. He stayed rooted to the spot however upon seeing the look on Thatch's face. "Uncle Thatch?" Haytham whispered once the black-haired man was close enough.
"Hey kid," Thatch mumbled, running his hand down his beard. "There's been… something happened…"
"What? Is Father okay? Did our house burn down?" Haytham asked, biting his lip.
"There's been an accident. Your father… he got into car crash."
The last thing Haytham heard was Ziio shouting his name.
And… I'll leave it there for tonight. Muwhahahah! Part II will hopefully be up tomorrow. I had computer issues so that's why this chapter wasn't up earlier. It took me all afternoon to get my computer back into working order and there are still things that aren't working.
Suggestions as to what you want to see happen after Edward gets home from the hospital. Please!
There was this really awesome post on Tumblr about the turtle on Ziio's necklace and it even gave an explanation on what the turtle meant as a symbol. Alas, I don't have my archieved posts anymore and Wikipedia wasn't much help so I went for generic. Though the World Turtle is true for Mohawk tradition, at least according to Wikipedia.
Kirja is Finnish for book. Also, Lucy married Desmond, thus she is Miles now.
My cat is so dead asleep his head just flops around. Hahah.
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