“Ugh, if me and your dad married yes they would be your brother and sister. And Mal, your mom didn’t plan to leave you. Things happen and sometimes they happen without notice. That’s just a part of life but you will always have her in your heart. That has to be enough for now,” I explained. I could see the wheels turning in his head right in front of me. I forgot Houston warned me about allowing Malone to take me down the rabbit hole with his series of questions.
“Ms. Tea you are smart like me. What are going to do next?”
“I was thinking we turn on a movie to let our food settle and thenwe battle for the ‘bestest nerf player’ of the century. How about that?” I asked as my cell started to ring. Without looking at the ID I grabbed and answered figuring it was Houston to check in.
“Hey you,” I sang into the phone.
“I see you were expecting my call or wait was that for someone else?” This wasn’t Houston and that left me frozen. It was Bobby and for a moment I almost forgot that I owed him a date of some sort. Since the brunch, I worked hard to sweep that situation under the rug. At least until I could figure out what me and Houston had going on. It was clear now more than ever that I either needed to explain to Bobby that I was seeing someone or tell Houston what I got roped into.
“Bobby, how are you?”
“I could be better, a lot better if you would just pick out a day and time for me to pick you up and take you somewhere extremely nice. You dress up and I dress up.”
He was smooth and a politician in the making. I expected nothing less from him. Like most politicians, they were good with words and could talk your socks off. Had it not been for Houston my socks would be knocked off right now. But unfortunately, that wasn’t the situation.
“I can’t right now. I’ve got something going on and honestly, I didn’t really appreciate the surprise. I only stepped up because I’m tired of being a disappointment,” I answered as I walked to the back to grab my charger and throw blanket.
“Well, I know you have time. Your father told me your practice didn’t work out. I can ease that for you with good wine, carbs, and conversation.” I moved the phone from my ear because that wasn’t how I remembered it. Such a liar when it was easier to just be honest. But being honest would mean he would have to admit that he was a fucked up father and a manipulator. He would never admit that to his protégé.
“I don’t thin-” before I could finish my sentence I heard a big crash come from the front. Running to the sound glass crunched under my feet. Malone was crying on the ground with deep wounds on his arms. Beside him was the Nerf gun, and my glass end table was all in pieces. Hanging up the phone, I hurriedly dialed Houston.
“Houston, meet us at Centennial. There’s been an emergency.”
Houston
“Teaghan, what the hell happened?” I asked finally being escorted to Malone’s hospital room. Today was the second scariest day of my life. Teaghan didn’t give much information over the phone and I appreciated her reacting quickly and even thinking to call me. But right now I needed answers, and I needed to be sure my son wasn’t dead or seriously injured.
“Houston, I only took my eye off him for a minute. I got a call and went to the back, and next thing I knew, I heard glass shattering,” she answered, barely breathing with tears on the brink of dropping. I hugged her and shushed her as I stepped further into the room. Malone was resting but he had bandages on his arm.
Coming closer I grabbed his tiny hand and said a prayer that he was alive, and it didn’t look serious. Teaghan came closer and sat beside me on the bed. I held his hand and she rubbed his head. I kissed his hand and heard the door open and shut.
Standing to my feet I greeted the doctor that had been taking care of Malone.
“Mr. McGraw, I’m Dr. Fender and I had the pleasure of taking care of Malone. He had to get twenty stitches, but I suspect he will make afull recovery. I do have some follow up questions. I understand she isn’t the mother correct?”
“Correct,” I answered looking back at a somber Teaghan.
“Ok do you mind if we speak outside or in private?”
“She’s a doctor, you can speak in front of her.”
“As you wish, so I understand that Malone was left alone with his doctor?”
“Well she’s my girlfriend and she said it was only for a second while she went to the back. I wasn’t there.”
“Ok sir, although accidents happen when a child comes in we have to alert child services. Someone will be in soon to speak with you and get a statement. I’m sure everything will be fine. Let me know if you need me further.”
“Child services has to be called for an accident that wasn’t bad?” I questioned looking back at Teaghan. She looked sick and troubled.
“Yes sir, this is different circumstances. You see had he not been left alone this may have been prevented. Of course, we can’t say for sure. He is a young boy and things happen, however, this could have been fatal if the glass had cut other places on the arm or body. It’s policy now and although I don’t agree it’s my job. I hope you can understand,” she replied closing the door. I looked up to the sky and smirked. This was another test that I wouldn’t pass. Child services was about to rip my life apart over an accident. I was sick of being tried and pushed to limits.
“Houston, please forgive me. I’ll take all the blame. It was my fault,” she commented breaking the silence. I looked at her and fought hard not to blame her or put this on her. I know this wasn’t on purpose, but no accident was. It was careless and all on me for leaving him with someone who didn’t have children.
“I need a minute,” I replied.
She stood and grabbed her things. I followed her to the door. I didn’t want to be in this space with her. Finally, we were getting somewhere. The walls were crumbling around our hearts and we were closer than ever to reaching our breakthrough. “Tea, my bad man. This just has me on edge. I was careless by leaving him with you. This is on me.”
“Careless?” she asked, confused.
