CHAPTER SEVENTY-SEVEN
(part three)

Zack pushed Aden out of the room.  Before Zack closed the principal’s office door, Aden said, “You’ll hear from us.”

Aden shook his head. The men walked down the hall in silence

“I’ll buy you a beer,” Zack said as they reached the entry hall.

“Sober,” Aden said.

“Coffee?” Zack laughed.

“Pie?” Aden smiled.

The men walked out the front of the middle school.

“God, I hated this age,” Zack said. “You?”

“I don’t remember much. I started smoking pot and drinking when I was ten. I was on my own at fifteen.”

“Well, I remember it enough for both of us. I had the hots for this girl. She was… yeah. She wouldn’t have anything to do with me. We were friends as kids, but once we hit puberty? She completely ignored me. I’m permanently scarred by the sights and sounds of middle school.”

Aden’s head jerked to Zack when Zack gave an exaggerated sniff and whipped an imaginary tear from his eye. They both laughed.

“What are you going to do?” Aden asked.

“Teddy can go to Catholic school. His Mom used the kid’s school money to buy drugs. That’s why he’s been in public school.” Zack shook his head. “Luckily, she’s not an issue anymore.”

“You have custody?” Aden had never met another father who had sole custody of his kids. He watched Zack’s face.

“Yep. Finally,” Zack said. “She’s in rehab but they say she’s ‘too fragile’ to take care of the kids. Whatever. I wish she’d said something five years ago when I begged her, and anyone who would listen, for custody. Your ex is in prison?”

“She broke Noelle’s cheekbone and they still haven’t denied her most recent custody request.”

“I know that song and dance. Children need their mothers! Not these mothers,” Zack said. “Anyway, Teddy doesn’t want to go anywhere without Nash. Can Nash go to Catholic school?”

“We’re not Catholic,” Aden said. “I mean, my family was Catholic… mostly for the free food. I haven’t been to church in… twenty years at least. The kids weren’t baptized or confirmed.”

“You’re dating a good Catholic girl,” Zack said. “You better brush up.”

“Sandy? She’s never said anything,” Aden said.

“Have kids yet?” Zack laughed.

“One on the way,” Aden said.

“You’d better brush up,” Zack said. “Listen, I’ll follow you. We’ll sort out what to do with the boys over pie and coffee. Village Inn?”

“Sure,” Aden said.

Aden was almost to his car when Zack said:

“Hey, that was great thing you did yesterday. I know you have a lot of shit to deal with because of it, but every man in the world was cheering you on. You’re a hero to all us helpless fucks who wish we could really protect our kids from the monsters.”

Aden nodded. Stepping into the driver seat of a Lipson Construction truck, he watched Zack walk to a black SUV. Zack tapped on the passenger door and the door opened. Nash’s bodybuilder guardian had been waiting in the car for Zack.

Aden smiled. In middle of all this trouble, he’d made a friend today. Somehow, making a new friend made everything seem a little more worth it.

Denver Cereal continues tomorrow….