Tyler was nervous about the note that his teacher sent home. He had gotten in trouble again for not paying attention. Math was confusing and he was already so lost, he couldn’t keep pretending like he was listening. Then his teacher called on him just to embarrass him and it made him mad.

He blurted out that it was dumb question. ‘Who cares how long it takes the train to get from A to B. You could just read the schedule’, he’d said and all the kids laughed. That’s when he got sent him to the principal’s office.

Dr. Fields, the principal, tried to call his parents but neither of them answered, so he thought he was home free. It was over anyway so what did it matter?

Then she gave him a note and said if his parents didn’t sign it, and call to make an appointment, then she would come to his house and deliver it personally. That scared him more than anything. Teachers weren’t supposed to come to your house. They lived at school.

When Jack’s nanny took him to his own house, instead of back to Jack’s house, Tyler knew he was screwed. His dad must’ve come home early because she finally got him on the phone.

Tyler tried to sneak to his room, but his dad was waiting for him. “Hi Ty, how was school?” he asked as soon as he walked in. Crap. He didn’t sound mad exactly, but definitely not normal.

Tyler looked at his father trying to figure out what he was going to say. He got a sick feeling in his stomach. Maybe Dr. Fields already came to the house. And now he would be grounded from his video games, probably like forever. He swallowed hard. “Fine,” he finally said.

“Good. Come here and sit down,” said his dad, looking upset, “I have some things we need to discuss.”

Yep, he was in soooo much trouble. He hated Dr. Fields. His stomach felt like he ate too much candy. He didn’t want to talk. He just wanted to go to his room. “I … um … need to go do … stuff … homework … math homework. Yeah, that’s it.”

His dad frowned. “Tyler, in a minute. This is important.”

He knew he was dead and almost began to cry. “I promise, I didn’t mean to make everyone laugh,” he said, terrified of what punishment he would get.

“What? What are you talking about Tyler? What happened?” asked his father, no longer sad, just confused.

Major fail, he thought. Dr. Fields hadn’t come out of her lair to attack him after all. Shit, he outed himself. “Um, I sorta got in trouble in math class and the teacher made me go to the principal’s office,” he looked down at his shoes. “They sent home a note that you have to sign.”

Tyler expected a mad voice and yelling. “Ty, it’s okay,” said his father softly, “I know math is hard for you. Please, come sit down.”

Tyler sat down slowly, watching his dad for a sign that it was just a trick. “You’re not mad?” he asked, wondering how he got out of being grounded.

“No. It happens, you just need to try harder,” said his dad, and his voice sounded weird again.

Tyler wanted his dad to sound normal, because it was scaring him. “I’ll be better. I promise Dad.”

Ryan looked at him for a minute before speaking. “So, Ty, you know what a divorce is, right?” asked Ryan.

“Yeah …” he said, and his heart began to beat really fast. Were his parents going to get a divorce? “You and Mom get married to someone else and I get two of everything?”

His dad shut his eyes for a minute and he figured he got it wrong. “Well, sort of,” he said at last, “You see, your Mom and I have … problems between us that we can’t fix. So we aren’t going to live together anymore. We might, or might not, get married again to someone else in the future. But that doesn’t mean we don’t love you and your sister. You like living with me? Right Ty?”

“Yeah, I guess … where else would I live?” Tyler thought that was a really dumb question. But then he wondered, are they sending me away to a home? Were they divorcing because of him? His Mom didn’t want him. He was the problem.

“Tyler, I want you to live here, with me,” said his dad. “And just so you know …. Sam …. will probably live with Mom and likely in Del Sol Valley because she got the part in the show. So, it’ll just be us guys … if you want.”

At first he was relieved he wasn’t being sent away. And he didn’t really care that much if Sam wasn’t around to bug him. Or did he? “Will I ever get to see Mom and Sam again?” He felt his eyes burning and began to breath in and out really fast so he wouldn’t cry. Crying is for sissies.

His father nodded and he felt a little better. But he didn’t want another mother or someone else’s brother or sisters like some of the kids at school had. He wanted his own mother and sister. “Is Sam divorcing us too?”

“Not exactly, though, like I said, Sam will probably want to live with Mom in Del Sol Valley where she’ll film her show. But she’ll come see us and we’ll go see her. She will always be your sister and my daughter. And Mom, she’ll always be your mother. It’s just Mom won’t be my wife … or live with me … So Tyler … I really need you to stay with me.” His dad’s voice sounded funny, like he could barely get the words out.

Tyler jumped up. “I don’t want a divorce!” he yelled, he couldn’t help it. He turned and ran upstairs to his room so his dad wouldn’t see him cry.

A few minutes later he heard his father knock on his door so he tried to be quiet.

“Ty, can I come in buddy?” asked his father.

At least he doesn’t sound mad, thought Tyler. “Just a minute,” he said. He sniffed and wiped his face on his sleeve. “Okay.”

His dad walked in and sat on the bed next to him. He looked like he was crying. Dads aren’t supposed to cry, he thought. Maybe his mom hated him because he was always in trouble, and that’s why his dad was crying, because he didn’t want a divorce either.

“I know how hard this is Ty,” said his father, “But I promise, your mom loves you. Okay?”

Tyler wanted to yell that it wasn’t okay, and that he was lying. If she loved him she wouldn’t divorce them. But instead, he just nodded.

“Come here buddy,” said his father and held out his arms. “I really need a hug.”

The floodgates opened again as his dad scooped him into his arms. No matter how hard he tried to stop the tears, they came. But, his dad cried too, so maybe it was okay that he did. Still, he didn’t want his dad to cry. It made him even more sad.

****************************************************

After Ryan and Tyler cried in each other’s arms over the unwelcome changes coming to their lives, Ryan finally released him and stood up. “We’ll get through this together. Are you okay?”

“I guess …” said Tyler and shrugged.

“I’m going to go down and get dinner ready. Why don’t you come and help.” Ryan was desperate to get some sort of routine going for them.

“Okay,” he said with no enthusiasm, but got up anyway, to Ryan’s relief, and followed him downstairs.

Tyler got drinks while Ryan made sandwiches. They both needed to keep busy. Then he remembered about the note he needed to sign. He’d ask him about it after they ate. He had seemed really upset about it. But for now, they needed calm.

When they sat down to eat, Tyler looked like he was just going through the motions. “Ty, did you and Jack have fun?” he asked.

“Yes,” he said so softly, he almost didn’t hear him.

“What did you guys do?” asked Ryan. He needed to get Tyler talking.

“Played video games,” he said.

“Do I even need to ask who won?” he said and smiled at his son.

“Me,” he said simply.

“You ever think of letting Jack win?” he asked, trying to get a rise out of him.

Tyler just looked at him like he suddenly grew another head.

Ryan couldn’t help but laugh. “Guess that answers that question. Do you ever lose?”

Tyler appeared to be thinking about his question. “Not for a long time,” he said.

“Well, maybe you’ll be a famous gamer someday,” said Ryan. He knew Tyler was hyper focused on video games. It was hard to believe he had issues with his school work.

That got his attention and his eyes lit up. Ryan was relieved to see some life back in those blue eyes. “You really think I could be?” he asked.

“You have great hand-eye coordination. There is also strategy that goes into it, and you must be good at that too or you wouldn’t be able to win so much.”

“At least I don’t have to do math,” groused Tyler.

“Speaking of math,” said Ryan, “what happened at school today?” He tried to keep calm and not get upset. Tyler didn’t need him getting on his case right now, but he did need to take care of whatever it was so it wouldn’t escalate.

Tyler looked at his hands and didn’t say anything.

“Tyler?” prompted Ryan. “I don’t want to have to call the principal.”

“Please don’t be mad, I’m sorry,” he said.

“I won’t be, but you have to tell me what happened so I can help you can fix it.”

“The stupid math teacher tried to embarrass me,” he said angrily.

“Why would he do that?” asked Ryan.

“He doesn’t like me,” said Tyler.

“Were you doing something wrong?”

“I don’t understand it. It’s stupid.”

“So why did you have to go to the principal’s office?”

“Cause I made everyone laugh.”

“Where’s the note?” Ryan figured there was way more to this than he was getting out of his son.

“It’s in my backpack.”

“Why don’t you get it and I’ll get us some ice cream.”

Ryan had the ice cream out when Tyler walked back in with a sealed envelope and laid it on the counter between them. Curious, thought Ryan. He decided to let it go and would read it after Tyler went to bed. “Thanks Ty, now, ice cream, then homework and if you have time, practice your gaming before bed.”

“You aren’t going to read it?” asked Tyler.

“Did you hurt or threaten anyone?” asked Ryan.

Tyler shook his head wide eyed.

“Then, no, not now. Let’s enjoy our ice cream so you can get your homework done.”

Tyler looked relieved and they ate in silence. Ryan thought maybe he could do this. That he and Tyler would eventually be okay. At least he hoped. He figured they’d find out in the coming weeks.

When they finished, Ryan sent Tyler to his room and cleaned up the kitchen. Then he sat down and got out the note to read it. There were two pieces of paper. One for a signature and another with a letter address to Mr. and Mrs. Murdock.

‘Mr. and Mrs. Murdock,

First, I apologize for writing you a note. My office did attempt to contact each of you by phone.

Today Mr. Hammond, Tyler’s math teacher, sent your son to my office in order to remove him from the classroom. Tyler is having a difficult time in his class, to the point that he continually disrupts the entire class and is in danger of failing.

I spoke to his other teachers and they all concur that when Tyler doesn’t understand something, he gets belligerent and makes jokes.

I would like to request a conference with you both to discuss some ideas I have that may help Tyler get back on track. You know your son better than I, so your input will be invaluable in helping us devise an education plan for him.

Please call the school and setup an appointment as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

Dr. Taysia Fields, Principal’

Ryan ran his hands over the scruff off his face. Damn, maybe it wasn’t going to be as easy as he thought after all. Now he gets to go see Dr. Fields and let her know that not only does Tyler have ADHD, his parents are in the middle of a divorce. He signed the other sheet of paper and placed it back in the envelope so Tyler could take it back to school the next day.

Go to Chapter 4.04 >>>>>>>

Go back to Chapter 4.02

A/N – Introducing another casting call character.

Meet Taysia Fields submitted by CitizenErased14