Chapter 27
Spencer
Spencer headed over to the coffee machine in Debra’s office to grab a cup. The children’s progress meeting was about to start, and he figured Ryan’s mum was going to want to speak first.
‘Ryan is still saying he doesn’t want to swim,’ said Annette to Debra. ‘So I already know what his progress is here.’
Debra spoke next. ‘The boys have so much fun here. That’s good for Ryan.’
Annette frowned at her. ‘I’m glad my son has a stress-free time here, when he’s not having accidents, but it’s not making any difference when it comes to how he is at the poolside. And Spencer shouldn’t have told him he doesn’t have to swim.’
Debra showed gratitude towards Spencer for handing her a coffee. ‘That’s not what Spencer said.’
‘I told him to speak to you about what he wants,’ said Spencer, sitting down.
‘My Ryan has a talent,’ said Annette.
Debra looked at the reports in front of her. ‘And Ryan shows great strengths here. He’s thoughtful and helpful, and exceeds in all group activities.’
Annette sat a little higher. ‘He’s very smart.’
Spencer offered a friendly smile. ‘Please don’t punish the centre for Ryan still not swimming.’
Annette raised her eyebrows. ‘Who says I’m trying to punish anyone?’
Debra smiled softly. ‘Let’s talk about how Ryan is—’
Annette rolled her eyes. ‘I don’t expect you to understand. I have a gifted child. This is bigger than a bruise or irresponsible staff.’ She gestured at Spencer.
Spencer took a calming breath. He really had given up all hope of her accepting an apology. Debra had assured everyone before Annette turned up that she wouldn’t be able to close the centre. Word had got out, and some of the members were already stressed, others angry. Annette didn’t have the power she thought she had, but her words the previous week were still causing quite a stir.
The door opened and in walked a tall man, who Spencer could clearly see was Ryan’s dad, judging by his features.
‘Sorry I’m late,’ he said, rushing to a chair by his wife’s side. ‘I’ve literally just came straight from the airport.’
‘About time,’ snapped Annette.
Her husband kissed her head, then smiled around the room. ‘I’m Harry.’ He noticed the coffee machine. ‘Ooh, is it okay if I—’
‘I’ll do it,’ said Spencer, seeing Annette nudge her husband.
‘Am I late for our Ryan’s progress report?’ asked Harry. ‘Netty said coming here hasn’t helped with his swimming issue.’
Annette frowned at him. ‘How many times have I told you not to call me that in public,’ she whispered through clenched teeth, but everyone heard.
Spencer handed a coffee to Harry. ‘Do you want milk?’
‘No, ta. Black is fine.’
‘We were just discussing Ryan,’ Annette told her husband.
Debra slid some papers Harry’s way. ‘These are the incident reports from here and the rock-climbing centre. As you will see, Ryan slipped on a flat rock poking out of the ground and was thoroughly checked on-site.’
Harry’s hazel eyes held a gentleness as he turned to Spencer. ‘Kids, eh!’
‘Really, that’s all you’re going to say?’ Annette sat back, folding her arms in a strop.
‘He slipped and bruised his arm.’ Harry looked to his wife.
Annette leaned towards him. ‘And what about him not wanting to swim? Or is that subject too boring for you to get into? No doubt you’d rather be at one of your own meetings, happily talking about stupid lemurs or other creatures for hours, but five minutes about your son, and, well, you just don’t care.’
‘Of course I care, Annette. But the way you acted, I thought they’d hurt him on purpose.’
Debra sat up. ‘I can assure you we would never—’
‘You threatened to close down the Sunshine Centre,’ said Harry, eyes still firmly on his wife.
It was quite possible Annette was going to explode. Her neck was redder than her face, and her teeth were on full display. ‘You know how big the next competition is for Ryan. He has to win, but thanks to this lot, he won’t compete. This centre clearly doesn’t build confidence. It hasn’t helped Ryan at all.’
Harry gently took her hand. ‘Annette, I know you’re upset, but—’
‘Upset! Upset!’ Annette stood, towering over him. ‘We’re talking about the Olympics.’
‘He’s ten!’ said Harry.
‘He’s in training,’ spat Annette. ‘I should have never brought him here. Confidence, what a joke. All he’s done is come home with stupid badges and no desire to swim.’
Spencer went to speak, but Harry turned his way.
‘He told me about the Sunshine Superheroes. He loves those badges. Well done. Such a good idea.’
‘Oh, now you’re being stupid, Harry.’ Annette fixed her glare on Spencer. ‘Your superhero malarkey ends right now. I’ll not have my son party to such nonsense any longer.’
‘What are you talking about?’ said Harry. ‘He loves earning his badges, and he loves this centre.’
The door flew open, revealing Ryan in the doorway. ‘And I hate swimming,’ he yelled.
All eyes were on the crying lad.
‘You’re supposed to be waiting in the art room,’ said Annette.
Ryan ran straight into his dad’s arms and sobbed some more.
‘Hey, hey, Ry,’ said Harry, soothing his child. ‘It’s all right, son.’
‘Please don’t leave again, Dad,’ were the boy’s muffled words.
Spencer’s heart broke in a million places, but he was so glad Ryan was using his words to communicate.
Watery eyes peered over Harry’s shoulder to look at Spencer. ‘I’m sorry,’ Ryan told him.
‘You have nothing to be sorry for,’ said Spencer.
Harry pulled his child back so he could cup his face. ‘Good to be able to have a hug, eh, son?’
Ryan sniffed as he nodded. ‘I wish you didn’t work away so much. I miss you.’
‘We always video call.’
‘I like it when you’re here.’
Harry brushed back Ryan’s blond locks. ‘How about you tell me what else you like, or should we talk about what you don’t?’
Spencer prayed Ryan wouldn’t shy away now. ‘You can speak freely. You’re in a safe space.’
Annette scoffed. ‘My son’s always in a safe space. The only time he wasn’t was when he was with you.’
Ryan shook his head as he turned to his mum. ‘It’s wasn’t Spencer’s fault.’
‘That’s right,’ said Leo, stepping through the opened doorway, leaving his mum and Chris standing behind in the hallway, peering inside at the commotion. ‘Captain Spencer isn’t to blame.’ He flapped his cape and nodded at Ryan. ‘We were playing statues on some small rocks. I stepped off okay, but Ryan slipped and landed on his arm.’
‘And I was happy I bruised my arm,’ said Ryan.
Annette’s eyes widened.
Harry pulled his son closer. ‘Ry, why would you say that?’ he asked gently.
‘Because I don’t want to swim, and if having a bruised arm helps keep me out of the pool, then I’m glad.’
‘Why didn’t you tell me, Ry?’ Harry slowly turned to his wife.
‘I told Mum, but she won’t listen to me.’
‘He’s being ridiculous,’ said Annette, lowering her voice.
Harry looked at Ryan. ‘Just so we’re clear, do you or do you not want to be a swimmer?’
Ryan’s head bobbed slightly from side to side. ‘I hate it, Dad.’ His little voice cracked, which caused Bonnie to shed a tear. ‘I want to be like you when I grow up. I like wildlife and photography, and—’
‘Oh, so I have you to blame for this, do I?’ Annette glared at her husband. ‘You’ve turned him against his dream just so he can grow up to travel the world with you, taking silly snapshots of animals.’
‘We both know this is your dream,’ said Harry calmly. ‘Come on, love, it’s time to let this go. You’re the swimming champion in our family, and one we’re proud of, without an Olympic medal. Let our son choose his own path now. You gave him the best chance, but it’s clear it’s not for him.’
Annette turned to her son. ‘Tell the truth, Ryan. No one believes you don’t want to swim.’
‘He doesn’t,’ said Leo, standing in one of his superhero poses. ‘He told me.’
‘Well, I don’t believe it,’ snapped Annette. ‘Nor do I believe my son wants to be a wildlife photographer.’
‘It’s true,’ said Ryan, looking nervous. ‘I don’t want to be a swimmer, Mum.’
Spencer could feel his blood starting to boil. Poor Ryan didn’t want to swim, and his mother wasn’t listening. ‘Why don’t you listen to him? He doesn’t like swimming.’ His own mother flashed through his mind.
Stop making him do things he doesn’t want to. Why can’t you be a decent mum and look after your kid for once. He needs you, but all you think about is yourself, you selfish cow .
Debra touched his arm, bringing him out of the trance he had fallen into with Annette, or rather, his own mother.
All he wanted was to yell at Annette for being so uncaring, for not helping her child, and for holding the same smug look in her eye that his own mother used to have, but he knew he couldn’t say his thoughts out loud, and he had to get a grip on the trigger that had just rattled him. Annette wasn’t his mum, no matter how selfish she was acting, putting her own wants and needs first. He took a silent calming breath, releasing all memories of his mother.
Leo approached, wrapping his cape around Spencer’s leg.
‘I’m not listening to this anymore.’ Annette got up, swiping her coat from the back of the chair.
‘Wait,’ said Harry. ‘This gets sorted right here and now, for Ryan’s sake.’ He gestured at their son. ‘From now on, he gets a say in his future, and if he doesn’t want to train for the Olympics, then he won’t.’
‘But—’
‘No buts,’ said Harry. ‘Ryan’s mental health comes first, and making him do something he clearly doesn’t want to do is affecting him. Jeez, Netty, he freezes at the poolside.’ He held Ryan’s hand. ‘And if this centre is the only thing making him happy at the moment, then it’s best he stays a member. He has told me all about the kindness festival, and how he’s excited to take part. It seems to me the only time our Ryan is smiling is when he talks about Spencer and the centre.’ He turned to his child. ‘You can stay, son, and you don’t have to worry about swimming anymore, and if your mother has anything to say about that, she can speak to me.’ He softened his gaze at his wife. ‘In private. At home. Come on, love. Like I said, it’s time to let this go.’
Annette swung her handbag over her shoulder and huffed. ‘Fine.’ She looked at Ryan. ‘If you truly don’t want to swim, then you don’t have to.’
Ryan’s sad eyes widened in surprise. ‘Really?’
Annette didn’t look too happy about it, but she gave a brief nod. ‘I just didn’t want your talent to go to waste. But, if that’s what you truly want.’
‘I do.’
Annette looked to Debra. ‘I’d like a copy of Ryan’s progress report, please.’
Debra quickly handed it over. ‘We love having him here.’
Annette scanned the paper. ‘I’m sure he can stay a member.’ The words seemed to bite her.
Harry smiled at Debra. ‘We’re going to head home. I’m sorry it got a little heated in here.’
Debra stepped forward to pat Ryan’s shoulder. ‘I’m just glad things are sorted.’
Annette ignored her as she headed outside.
‘Ryan knows to use his voice to communicate what he wants now,’ said Spencer, smiling down at the boy. ‘Don’t you?’
A nod and a slight murmur came from the boy before he spoke. ‘I didn’t mean to get you into trouble, Spencer. And I didn’t know my mum would try to close the centre.’
Spencer lowered to Ryan’s height. ‘Hey, it’s okay. It’s sorted now, and your dad’s home. How great is that? You can bring him to the festival. Show him what the Sunshine Superheroes achieved.’ It was a relief to see Ryan looking settled.
Ryan nodded, then headed outside with his dad.
Spencer stood in the office doorway, seeing them off, then turned to Bonnie and Chris, his thoughts still with Ryan as the other parents entered the room.
Bonnie blinked hard. ‘I think I need an hour in the quiet room after hearing that.’ She turned to Leo. ‘Go sit back with Jax while we talk about your progress.’
‘Oh, he left,’ said Leo, pointing towards the door.
‘What do you mean he left?’ asked Chris, rushing back outside, quickly followed by everyone.
‘He walked out. He was worried the centre was going to close because Ryan’s mum said it didn’t build confidence.’ He lowered his eyes. ‘We were listening at the door with Ryan.’
Spencer was just as alarmed as Chris. ‘Where did he go?’
Leo shrugged. ‘He didn’t say.’
Everyone ran out into the car park, calling out for Jax, but he was nowhere to be found. The whole centre was thoroughly searched, but the boy was gone.