Suzie’s House 162: A Suggestion

Suzie marched upstairs, telling herself to stay calm. It wasn’t such a big deal. So far as she knew, neither boy had done anything yet. With any luck, it would stay that way for years, possibly even forever.

And birds never had to land.

She hurried. Her phone conversation with Drew hadn’t seemed long, but to her amazement the boys could get into trouble even faster.

Gene had one hand on his doorknob and the other on his backpack when she reached his room at the top of the stairs.

“Tell me you aren’t doing what I think you’re doing.”

Gene refused to either answer or look at her. He managed to act sheepish, which she gave him credit for. Still, she couldn’t quite suppress the sigh of exasperation.

“Why do you do it,” she asked. “You know you have a home here. There’s no reason for you go to back. After the black eye he gave you, why do you even want to see your father anymore?”

“I don’t know.” Gene shrugged. But he still had one hand on his doorknob and the held his bulging backpack.

“At least let me go with you if you want to visit him.”

“No! No, that’s all right. Dad… he’s not real good with women.”

“He isn’t good with his son, either,” Suzie said under her breath. “If there are two of us, we could protect each other, in case he loses his temper. Here. You might as well put this away.” She reached for his backpack.

He reluctantly let her take it. He let her guide him into his room, too, his elbow feeling knobby under her fingers. She settled on the chair while he perched uncomfortably on the edge of the bed.

“How long were you planning on staying with him?”

“I don’t know. Couple of days, maybe.”

“You know you aren’t supposed to have anything to do with him. That’s coming from your counselor, not me.” Suzie leaned forward.

“I know.”

“So make me understand. Why do you keep doing this?”

“He’s my father.” Another half-hearted shrug. “He said it would be different this time.”

“And you believe him?”

“Yes. No. I don’t know. I guess I want to. He seems different than before. Maybe, maybe for me he’ll change.”

“And maybe he won’t. If not, then what?”

“Then I can come back?” Gene lifted one corner of his mouth in a hopeful smile.

Suzie shook her head ruefully. “You worry me, kid. I’m afraid you’re going to go over there one day and not be able to come back. I’m afraid you’ll end up in the hospital again.”

“I won’t.”

“Gene, what if I adopted you? Would that make you feel more like you have a home here?”

The young man recoiled. He actually pulled back from her as if from unwelcome news. Had he not even considered the possibility? Did her offer offend him?

“Well, think about it.” She patted his knee as she got up. Better check on what Ben and Lisa were up to. “And don’t go to see him without telling me first. All right?”

“Yeah. All right.”

When she glance over her shoulder on the way out he was busy pulling a shirt out of his backpack. Hopefully he’d leave it at that for the time being.

If you enjoy Suzie’s House and would like to see more, please leave a comment. Suzie’s House is powered by its readers.