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Bobby sounded like a bit of a bully. Josh needed something to help take his mind off missing his dad. “Okay, Josh, we need to find something to keep you busy. Do you like sports?”
“Sort of,” Josh said without enthusiasm. “I like to skateboard but I'm not all that good.”
Austin racked his brain, trying to think. Bobby was probably into sports, so Josh needed something different. He remembered the Tai Kwon Do studio he had passed on his way to the elementary school. “What about learning martial arts?”
Josh perked up. “That might be cool.”
So far, so good. “I'll talk to your mom about this. But Josh, you really need to stay in school. Just avoid Bobby and his friends. Getting your grades up has to be your top priority.”
“Can Tony learn Tai Kwon Do with me?” Josh asked.
“Yes, but the deal is that your grades cannot suffer. Understood?” He wasn't sure this idea would go over well with Lindsey, especially considering her financial difficulties, but he'd do his best to convince her. Josh needed something to focus on, something that would help him deal with missing his dad. The martial arts were all about being spiritually strong, as well as physically strong. He thought maybe it could work. “I'll talk to your mom and see if we can work out a schedule that works for you and Tony to take classes together.”
“Cool.” For the first time since seeing Josh sitting in the principal's office, he saw a spark of interest flare in the boy's eyes.
“Just remember, your grades must improve,” Austin warned. “Homework has to come first.”
“I know.” Josh nodded eagerly. “I can pull up my grades, they're not that bad.” When Austin raised a disbelieving brow, the boy’s chin dropped to his chest and he added, “Well, maybe they are bad, but I'll make up all my missing assignments.”
“I'm glad to hear it.” He wanted to believe Josh could pull himself together. “And I'm here if you ever want to talk about your dad.”
“Okay.”
Austin stood, glancing toward the kitchen to where Lindsey was busy with folding laundry on the kitchen table. She looked so beautiful, with her blonde hair falling in waves to her shoulders, that he had to physically steel himself against the need to pull her close. “I'd like you to get started on those missing assignments right now, while I talk to your mom.”
Josh frowned. “Are you gonna tell her why I've been skipping school?”
He hesitated, not wanting to break the boy's trust. Yet at the same time he didn't want to lie to Lindsey either. “Josh, I'm sure your mom understands how much you miss your dad.”
“But I don't want her to be sad, too,” Josh protested.
Austin understood the boy didn't want to contribute to her grief. “I know, but she loves you and needs to know where you're going to be alright. Telling her might help her agree to send you to Tai Kwon Do classes.”
Josh grimaced but then nodded. “Okay,” he grudgingly agreed.
Austin turned toward the kitchen, wishing he felt as confident as he sounded. Unease tightened his gut.
He and Lindsey needed to talk about more than just the repairs on her house. Josh needed someone to talk to, someone he could relate to. Austin wanted to be there for both of them.
He needed to fulfill his promise to Sam.
There had to be a way to convince her to let him help.
Lindsey was grateful Dr. Ellen Sandberg had returned her phone call so quickly. She nodded at Austin when he came into the kitchen and continued her conversation. “I need to make an appointment for Josh, as soon as possible. He skipped school again and they won't let him back into class until you see him and provide an update on his progress.”
“I could probably squeeze him in later this afternoon, say about five o’clock?” Dr. Sandberg offered.
“Five would be great. Thank you so much.” Relieved she disconnected from the call. Austin’s presence in the kitchen made it seem smaller than normal.
She was keenly aware of how Austin intently watched her as she folded a load of clothes. She flushed under his scrutiny and hoped he'd blame her red cheeks on the heat from the dryer.
“I would like to go with him,” he said.
“With whom?” Flustered, she glanced at him. “Oh, you mean with Josh? To his psychologist’s appointment?”
“Yeah.” Austin tucked his hands into the front pockets of his jeans. “I'd like to go with him to see Dr. Sandberg. At five, right?”
Surprised, she stared at him. She couldn't believe he was offering to go with Josh. When things had started going downhill between her and Sam, she'd suggested marriage counseling, but Sam had flatly refused to attend. He hadn't believed there had was anything counseling could do to change things between them.
