The father took a few steps closer to their little group, his shoes clicking against the concrete floor. His gaze immediately landed on David, and a smile spread across his face.
“David, my boy! Is that really you?” he yelled, waving towards the group.
His loud voice echoed through the garage. Though his tone was cheerful, that of a father being reunited with his child, the air was tense. Michael scanned the garage. Every single employee had stopped what they were doing. Their eyes were trained on their group, with some moving closer to Uncle Al and David. LaNiya seemed to have also picked up on the strange atmosphere.
“Look how much you’ve grown. You’re sprouting up like a weed. I hope you’re not getting into any more trouble at school now, are you?”
David’s father either didn’t notice the shift or simply didn’t care. He stopped and stretched his arms wide, as if expecting David to come running into them. He then tried to bend down to his son’s height. But the stiff fabric of his tailored suit resisted the movement, making an action that should’ve felt warm and endearing instead seem forced and unnatural.
“Well, don’t be a stranger. Don’t you wanna hug your old man?”
David didn’t move. He remained rooted in place beside his uncle with his arms hanging stiffly at his sides, fists clenched, and jaw tight. His eyes remained focused on his father. The silence stretched on uncomfortably long.
“What’s the matter? Too old to hug your dad anymore?”
No response.
“Guess it can’t be helped,” the father sighed, straightening back up. “You’re too grown up now for hugs, huh? Alright, alright. How about this, then?”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a sleek black box, holding it out to David.
“Thought you might like this. It’s top-of-the-line, fresh off the conveyor belt. Only the best for my boy.”
When David didn’t reach out for the box, he snapped it open to reveal an expensive-looking smartwatch. He once again held it out to David, his grin widening.
“Go on, take it. It’s all yours. Best of the–”
“I don’t want it,” David finally said.
The father was caught off guard by his son’s curt response. His face froze, and his smile wavered. What was that? Though the man quickly recovered, Michael noticed how his eye twitched at his son’s coldness. He saw his grip on the box tighten. And he saw the few steps David took back, away from his father.
“Come on, son. Don’t be like that,” the father laughed lightly, “You know I’m just trying to make things right so–”
“That’s enough,” Uncle Al interrupted.
He grabbed David’s shoulder, gently pulling him back. Then he stepped forward, placing himself firmly between David and his father, and crossed his arms.
“He doesn’t need anything from you,” he continued, sounding more like a warning.
TheFor a split second, the father’s smile faltered again for a split second, and something dark and unnerving flashed behind his eyes. There it was again. But just as fast, the smile returned, and he chuckled through gritted teeth. He placed the box back into his pocket.
“How’s it going, Al? Long time no see?”
“Not nearly long enough,” the uncle sneered.
Michael watched as the father’s eyes scanned the room, taking notice of all the employees and mechanics focused on him.
“I see you’ve got some more friends. Relax. No need to be hostile. I’m just trying to be a good dad.”
“Good dad, huh? Haven’t heard that one in a while. So, where was this ‘good dad’ energy a few years ago? When your kids need you? When their mother needed you?”
The mask wavered again.
“I’m here right now, aren’t I?” the father asked, taking a more defensive tone.
“Not by anyone’s invitation. I’m sure you remember the last time that happened.”
The father narrowed his eyes toward Uncle Al, crossing his arms.
“Always so dramatic, huh, Al?” he asked, his voice light but with a hint of underlying menace. “I just wanted to see my kids.”
“No,” Uncle Al retorted, “You don’t get to just show up and act like nothing has happened. This isn’t your house, and they’re not your property.”
The father took a few steps back, placing a hand over his chest, mocking offense to the uncle’s statement.
“Al, you’ve wounded me. Do you really think so horribly of me? I’m here trying my best to be a part of my kids’ lives. Isn’t that what’s best for them? A stable parental figure?”
“Stable?” the uncle chuckled, “That’s rich coming from you.”
“And is having them stay here any better? Living paycheck to paycheck…with an absent mother? I’m sure the court would love to hear about that, wouldn’t they?”
“Mom’s upstairs, right now! She’s not absent. She’s never absent,” David yelled, stepping out from behind his uncle. “At least she tries to be around.”
David’s voice was shaky as he addressed his father. His small frame was tense but determined. The uncle glanced at his nephew, his protective instinct flaring up, judging by the way he immediately tried to reach for David. But he let the boy take his stance, carefully watching him. The father smiled at David, but was still eyeing the uncle.
“Sure, she’s upstairs physically, but where is her mind really, huh, Al?”
Uncle Al didn’t answer. His;, his face grew dark, and his lips curled into a scowl. The father turned his attention back towards David, who turned his head to avoid eye contact. The father softened his voice.
“David, you know I’m doing my best, and I’ve got your best interest at heart, right? I’m doing better now. I’ve cleaned up, got a good job, made lots of money, and even bought a house. I’ve got a better life now, for you and Jess.”
“We’re doing just fine,” David answered.
“I know this hasn’t been easy for you. Living here, working in a garage after school just to help make ends meet, or. Or worrying about your Mom and Jess. That’s not your job. That’s a lot for a kid to carry.”
The father knelt on one knee in front of David.
“I know I disappointed you in the past, but I’m here now. And I’ve worked hard to get what we needed. Don’t you think Jess deserves better than this? She’s just a little girl. She should be playing in a big backyard, not choking on car exhaust. That’s all I’m trying to do.”
David’s eyes flickered to the floor.
“We’re f-fine right where we are.”
“Are you? Because this isn’t what I’d call a stable home. And though you’ll always stand up for her, I know your mother is struggling. You’ve seen it, haven’t you?”
“David,” Uncle Al called.
“No,” David said, pushing his uncle away. “She’s getting better. She’s at least–”
“Trying, I know,” the father finished, “But people in her condition don’t just get better overnight. You’ve seen it, haven’t you? The way she gets when times are hard?”
David slightly flinched. There was a small flinch in David’s stance, and his father noticed it. His smile tightened.
“She’s doing her best,” David answered softly.
“I know, son, I know,” the father cooed, tilting his head, his expression thoughtful. “But what happens when her best isn’t enough anymore? What happens when she starts falling down again…or when her eyes get all red, and she says she’s just tired. You’re a big boy now. You must know it’s more than that.”
David closed his eyes. His fist balled up at his sides. He didn’t answer, but the silence seemed to speak for itself.
“You remember what it’s like, don’t you? When she stays up all night, walking around the house. When she forgets to make breakfast or doesn’t wake up to get Jess to school?”
“That’s not going to happen again. She promised.”
David’s chest started heaving with every breath he took.
“Sometimes it’s hard to keep promises, even when we really want to. I know. But think about when it starts up again. Who’s going to take care of Jess? Who’s going to take care of you? You don’t have to be the one to fix everything, David. But I can. I have money and resources to take care of you and Jess. And we can send Mom to get the help she needs.”
He gestures to his car.
“ I can give you that. I can give Jess that. Just trust me.”
“W-we don’t need you.”
“Are you sure? Or are you just pretending?”
Michael felt LaNiya poking him in the side, her eyes flickering towards David, who looked like he was having a breakdown inside his head. His eyes were wide, nearly bulging from his head. He looked deep in thought, like he was recalling memories. I wonder what he’s thinking about. Could it have anything to do with what his father said about his mom? Regardless, David was trying to shake the thoughts away when his father reached out for his arm.
“It’s okay, son. Just let me help you.”
SMACK!
The sound echoed through the garage, breaking the tense silence. The father flinched, recoiling his hand in surprise. His eyes displayed rage towards the little ten-year-old who had just slapped his hand away. Michael stood in front of David, arms crossed, with a smug look on his face.
“Yeah, I don’t think so,” he said, his voice dripping with mockery. “No one’s forcing him to go anywhere. So you better keep your hands to yourself.”
“Excuse me?” the father questioned.
“You didn’t hear me? I said don’t touch him.”
LaNiya quickly moved to David’s side, placing a hand on his shoulder.
“David already said no. You don’t get to keep pushing,” she said, her voice quiet but firm.
“Did you think you could just show up here in a fancy car and stuffy suit and just drag him out of here without a fight?” Michael taunted. “Newsflash, buddy: nobody wants you here. Look around. I do believe you’ve overstayed your welcome. So why don’t you take that ‘good dad’ act and drive it right back out of here?”
The mask cracked. David’s father straightened up, flashing an icy smile.
“Well, well, well. You’ve really got a mouth on you, huh, kid? Maybe you should learn to stay out of things that don’t concern you.”
“Oh yeah? Well, maybe you should learn not to scare your kid,” Michael retorted.
“No one’s scared,” the father chuckled, turning his attention to David. “Are you, David?”
His tone wasn’t one of concern. It sounded threatening, almost daring.
“I think we’ve all had quite enough of your antics, Warren,” Uncle Al said. “I think you’ve done enough damage for one day. Now get out, before we make you leave.”
The other mechanics closed in. David’s father, Warren, stood tall and straightened his suit jacket.
“Fine. I can take a hint,” he said, stepping back.
As he placed his hands in his pockets, Michael thought he saw the man fiddle with something on his phone. He was only able to catch a quick glimpse of the screen before it went dark. Was…was he recording us? But Warren was already back in his car.
“I’ll see you again soon, son. Maybe next time we’ll be able to have a real talk.”
He started his car, backed out of the garage, and floored it away from the shop. When the sounds of his car had faded away, David finally collapsed. His uncle caught him, dragging over a stool for him to sit on. Michael and LaNiya stood next to him as his uncle surveyed him.
“Is he alright?” Zuriya shouted as she and Asante came running over from the storage room.
“I think he’ll be okay,” LaNiya answered.
“Don’t listen to him, David,” Zuriya said. “Jess is so lucky to have you. And so is your mom,” Asante said.
“You did pretty good, kid. Standing up for yourself,” Uncle Al chimed in. “Don’t let him get into your head.”
“Yeah, guys like him just want to hear themselves talk,” Michael added.
Zuriya embraced David. Although he didn’t move to hug her back, he didn’t seem bothered by the embrace.
“Does it matter? He’ll just come back in a matter of weeks. Then what?” David asked.
“Then we tell him off, just like we did today,” Michael answered. “No matter how many times it takes.”