Chapter 4

TREEHOUSE CONFESSIONS

When Chad told him the camping trip was off, Bobby didn’t take it well. He was hardly reassured when his dad promised to make it up to him. Molly overheard and declared him a failure as a father for letting his youngest child down — after sabotaging the event herself. The irony wasn’t lost on Chad, “Just think of it as another reason for you to spite me in the eyes of my kids,” he retorted, heading for the back door, “C’mon Bobber. Let’s check out the fort.”

The ‘fort’ was an impressive structure that Chad and Bobby built over the last few years. It started as a simple deck around a sturdy oak tree. A 2x4 ladder accessed the boxy enclosed ‘guard house,’ revealing a winding step to another platform that split into two paths. One path led up a rope ladder to the round ‘crow’s nest,’ and the other to the ‘observation deck’ via a second ladder. Three observation decks, each higher than the previous one, circled the tree. The two engineers were drafting ideas for a 4th and final level called the ‘battle deck.’

Chad and his son sat cross-legged, facing each other in the guard house. He sensed his son’s disappointment and struggled to find an alternative to honor the boy. With a sigh, he surrendered. “What would you like to do this week? Just you and me?”

Bobby perked up and rubbed his chin, deep in thought. Chad saw he was trying to suggest something he already wanted. His poker face gave it away. “Well—” he started, “I really wanna go to that new skate park by the fairgrounds,” he declared in a rush. “It’s really cool, and they allow bikes, inline skates, and skateboards. And they have a huge half-pipe and a swervy tunnel thing! Mikey and John said it’s so awesome!” Then his face fell, “Mom and Uncle Frank won’t ever take me cause Beavis and Butthead never want to go.” His snarky reference to his older siblings made Chad snicker. “They always get to go shopping and do stuff they want.”

Chad held out his fist for a bump. “You got it, partner. Let’s stop by Sports Warehouse first for new pads and a helmet.” He looked into the distance, “I hear they have new hoverboards too!”

Bobby’s face lit up, and he stood so fast that he hit his head on a branch. Ignoring the pain, he whooped with excitement. “Yeah! I gotta call Mikey and tell him!” He burst, turning for the ladder. Chad caught him and held him back.

“Hold on, son. Sit back down for a minute. I want to ask you a few questions.”

Bobby looked dejected as he sat, staring at his feet.

“Bobby, I have to ask because you’re the only one I trust to tell me the truth,” he leaned closer. “When Uncle Frank comes over, where does he stay the night?”

He watched his son shrink further into himself and nervously pluck at his shoelaces.

“Bobber, this is between you, me, and this tree, okay?” he assured the boy before trying a different approach, “Are they telling you to lie to me?”

Bobby glanced fearfully up at him and replied weakly, “Yessir.”

Chad hid his reaction and smiled at his youngest as he clapped his shoulder. “It’s okay, son. I’m sorry you got put in the middle of this.” He squeezed the boy’s shoulder. “I promise to protect you when the time comes. Okay, bud?”

Bobby nodded but kept staring at his shoes. “He sleeps in your and mom’s room all the time. Sometimes, they go out for dinner and leave us home. Sometimes, they don’t get back until morning. I hate being with them.” His voice was soft and tragic, and Chad felt his despair.

“How come?”

“Cause none of them even like me. I’m always the problem and in the way,” he whined, near tears.

Chad scooped him into a hug, swallowing the bitter acid in his throat. “It’s going to be alright, little buddy,” he promised, kissing his head. “Between us, some changes are coming. I’ll be in your corner. Got it?”

Bobby nodded with a sniff and wiped his nose on his sleeve.

Chad crawled to the ladder. “C’mon, change of plan,” he smiled, “I think Sports Warehouse is open for a few more hours.

Chad drank his third cup of coffee Saturday morning and helped Bobby adjust his knee and elbow pads. The new hoverboard had been charging overnight, waiting for him to test it outside. He grabbed his cup and followed the boy out front with his new board. Elvis was lying in the front yard watching the occasional car. Ensuring his helmet was secured, Chad sat on the porch, watched his youngest learn to balance, and skim around the driveway. He figured it out quickly, and soon, he was scooting up and down the sidewalk, whooping, “This is so cool!”

Chad heard the door open behind him and felt the chill as his wife approached.

“Buying your son’s affections, I see,” she stated scornfully. She stood behind him with her arms crossed.

Chad chuckled coldly and shook his head. “Fuck you!” he snarled. “If ‘Uncle’ Frank can buy the other two clothes, cell phones, and laptops—I can sure as hell buy my son a new skateboard.” He stood up as Bobby zipped up.

“Hey, Mom! Check it out!” he cried, executing a sharp 180-degree turn and rolling backward.

“It’s very cool, sweetheart. Just be careful,” she gave Chad a baleful look and lifted her shoulders defiantly. “Since we aren’t camping, I’m taking the kids to their Uncle Frank’s today,” she declared. “He has a surprise for them.”

Chad rolled his eyes and saw Bobby’s defeated look. “You mean for Billy and Bethany,” he snorted, “as if clothes, computers, and phones weren’t enough?”

Her face darkened, but she bit off her response in front of their youngest. As if on cue, Billy and Bethany stepped outside and stopped beside their mother. Neither looked up from their electronic worlds.

“You know what?” Chad decided suddenly, surprising his wife, “That’s fine. Take Billy and Beth on over to Uncle Frank’s,” his voice dripped with scorn. “I’ll take Bobby to Mike and Johnny’s to hang out and show off his new board. Then we’ll go to Red Robin for lunch.” He winked at his youngest, whose face lit up like a Christmas tree.

He was pleased to see his wife at a loss for words. Instead of responding, she marched to the open garage and climbed into her car. The sibling robots followed her without looking up. She rolled her window down and put on her sunglasses as she pulled out.

“You can join us for lunch if you want!” He called after her as she drove off.

She reached out her window and flipped him the bird.

The woman who opened the door for him stood about 5’ 6” tall with sharp green eyes. Her deep red hair was shoulder-length. She wore a beige cotton polo and rough-cut daisy dukes, revealing gorgeous legs and bare feet. Her toenails were bright chartreuse.

“Oh, whoa!” she exclaimed, looking up wide-eyed. She smiled and held the door wide for him, “Hi, I’m Jennifer,” she greeted, taking his large paw in her delicate hand. “You must be Chad. Please come in. Paul is setting up at the dining table.”

He stepped in and stooped to remove his shoes before she stopped him. “Oh, don’t bother. Shoes are fine in our home.” She led him into the dining area, and he tried not to stare at her perfect ass as it swayed. A taller, dark-haired man turned to greet him and did a double take at Chad’s enormous frame. Recognition lit up his face as they shook hands. “Chad Hartley! Now I remember the name,” he said to his wife, “we went to high school together.”

Paul had broad shoulders and a slender frame. His hair appeared naturally unkept, and his blue eyes sparkled behind designer spectacles. “Jen briefly updated me on your situation, so have a seat, and we can get started.” He gestured to the guest-of-honor seat at the head of the table while he and his wife took the two seats across from each other. A steaming cup of black coffee was already placed before him on a coaster.

Jennifer gave him a knowing look and a smile. “You seemed like the strong coffee type over the phone.”

He took a sip and graciously nodded, “Yes, ma’am. Thank you.” He caught the two sharing a look, and they murmured, “Jess,” simultaneously, prompting the her to giggle.

With raised eyebrows, Chad looked back and forth, and Jennifer touched his arm warmly.

“I’m sorry,” she said sincerely, “that was impolite. We were agreeing that—” Her blush colored her face beautifully. “Well, Jessica is my sister—my twin, actually. And she—” she paused, glancing at her husband, who sipped his coffee patiently. “Let’s say she has a thing for the ‘big and burly’ type.” This caused Paul to slurp loudly as he fought to maintain his composure.

“I ... see,” Chad responded, even though he didn’t.

“Well, let’s get started,” Paul suggested, holding his pen over a new legal pad. “Why don’t you start from the beginning and tell us everything?”

It took about 30 minutes, and he paused when he noticed their sudden interest. “What is it?”