Page 37 of The Chemist

The sun above them beamed down, warming up the air all around them. Off in the distance, a bird chirped, and a car was heard revving its engine.

“Boy, come over and meet your new daddy. Bo and I are getting married next week, and you and I will be moving in here at the end of this week.” His mother always called him boy, unless he was in trouble. Then she always called him by his full name—Diesel Alexander Pratt.

“Jordan, come over and meet your new momma and brother,” the man with the dirty ball cap… Bo… daddy?... called to the boy sitting at the table.

Both of them walked over to where their parents were standing and locked eyes with one another.

Bo stuck out his hand. “Nice to meet you, boy. Heard you have trouble takin’ orders. I’m here to change all that. In this house, you do as you’re told.”

Scared, Diesel took the angry-looking man’s hand and winced as the beast crushed his fingers.

What was happening?

Diesel looked up at his mother, who was busy smiling at the scary-looking man.

“Here, I have a present for you,” his mother said, reaching into her purse and pulling out a baseball glove.

Yes! He always wanted a baseball glove! Perhaps now his momma would teach him how to catch so that he could play baseball with the other kids down at the trailer park.

Diesel froze as he watched his mother bend down and pass the baseball glove to the other little boy standing next to him—his new little brother—Jordan.

The boy’s face lit up as he took the glove from his new mother and flipped it around in his hand.

“What do you say, son?” Diesel’s new dad asked, startling him where he stood.

“Umm, thanks… Mom?” the boy said, appearing unsure of how he was to address the new woman standing in front of him.

But he was the one who had asked for a baseball glove for his birthday. He was the one who was supposed to be getting gifts today. It was his birthday, not Jordan’s.

What was happening?

“Come, let’s go inside. The game is about to begin, and the chili is almost ready,” Bo ordered, placing his arm around Diesel’s mum and leading her into the house.

Jordan followed after them like a happy little puppy.

Perhaps his party would begin once the chili was ready?

Diesel followed them into the house, his feet dragging a little slower than before.

He didn’t really understand what was going on. Why was his momma marrying this guy who she just met today? Did she know him from before? Was he a friend of his real dad?

Still confused, Diesel walked into the living room, where his momma was sitting on the couch with Bo’s arm wrapped around her shoulder, a freshly lit cigarette dangling from her fingers. On the floor by their feet, Jordan sat playing with his new glove.

Looking around the room, he didn’t see any balloons or party favors. No snacks or wrapped presents waiting for him to open.

Perhaps there was a cake hidden in the fridge?

Sadly, Diesel knew better.

There was no cake. No presents. No… nothing.

This was not his day.

Casting aside that last glimmer of hope of having a birthday party this year, Diesel walked around the sofa and took a seat on the cold wooden floor. Away from his momma, away from his new family.

Little did he know that this was going to be his future.

Alone and barely an afterthought.

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