Page 133 of Redemption
The houses are cozy, with front yards for kids to play in and white picket fences surrounding the backyards. I can imagine couples sitting on the front porches, rocking in their chairs with coffee in hand.
I’ve wanted to ask Tanner about his dad the entire way here, but every time I think of a way to ask where he’s been, it sounds so stupid in my mind that my tongue gets stuck to the roof of my mouth.
How do you ask a kid why his dad isn’t around without sounding like a total jerk?
Now we are here, and it’s too late to ask.
But I can’t leave him alone without making sure he’s telling me the truth about being safe, so when he opens the door, I open mine and step out with him.
“What are you doing?” he asks, giving me a strange look.
“I want to meet your dad.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
But the front door is already opening, and as a man steps out onto the porch, I realize that I should have asked more questions because standing on the steps is none other than the fire chief himself.
“Hey, Dad.”
Chapter 40
Hayes
“Tanner, what are you doing here, buddy?” Theo asks, taking the steps two at a time and looking over his son’s head to me.
Gone is the look of the cocky, self-assured man that I’ve experienced up until now, and in his place stands a concerned father.
“I didn’t want to go to Mom’s,” Tanner says, avoiding looking at his dad.
“And that required a police escort?” Theo’s eyes are still on me and my uniform.
Stepping forward, I offer him my hand. “Tanner was at a party and needed a ride home.”
Fear like none I’ve ever seen before falls over Theo’s face. He grabs Tanner’s shoulder in a gentle grasp and examines his son’s face. “Were you drinking?”
The question is laced with such raw emotion that I’m tempted to turn my head, but I need to make sure Tanner is safe.
“No, sir.”
Theo’s shoulders sag in relief. “Good. That’s good.”
Tanner’s whole body tenses up. “And so what if I was? Were you going to disappear again because you couldn’t deal with me?
“Tanner, that’s not why I—”
Tanner interrupts him. “I don’t care, Dad. Can I stay here or not?”
“Of course, you can, but I have to tell your mom where you are.”
The look of betrayal on Tanner’s face is heartbreaking, and just by listening, I’m starting to piece his story together.
Divorced Mom and Dad. Dad who is suddenly back in his life again. A stepdad who puts too much pressure on him.
It’s like the perfect cocktail of stress for a kid Tanner’s age.
“Whatever, Dad. Just call in the morning. You know how she is about her beauty rest.” He takes off towards the steps, shoving past his dad, and when he’s on the top one, he turns back to me. “Thanks for listening tonight, Coach.”
I nod. “You’re welcome.”
