Chapter 24
Calvin
This morning, the principal called me back.
Mr. Davies reached out to let me know that there have been no reports of bullying of Braeden.
Those boys were careful not to do it on school property.
But the fact that they bided their time and built trust with Braeden shows a high level of conniving and cruelty.
They need to be taught a hard lesson, and I’m the person who’s going to dish it out.
I get out, put on my shades, open the trunk, and pull out the toy gun. Then I lean against my car to wait for them to get off the bus after school, which should be any moment now.
Braeden is at home, waiting for me, and once I wrap this up, I have to take him to his first therapy session.
I don’t have to wait long. Soon, five boys head my way, laughing, fake punching, and being all around obnoxious. God, was I like that as a teen? Most likely. I bet Seth wasn’t. I’m sure he was a polite kid, kind, empathetic, and emotionally intelligent, just like he is today.
I watch them head my way, but they don’t notice me yet, oblivious of what’s about to befall them.
As soon as they step onto Bryce’s property, I call out. “Hey, boys.”
They stop to look at me, but say nothing.
“Are your parents home?” I ask.
A boy who is tall and broad with thick dark brown hair juts his chin at me like an asshole. “No, what’s it to you?”
This must be Bryce. I can see why Braeden was initially attracted to him.
He looks like one of those football stars.
It also makes sense why Braeden was so tentative in getting to know them at first. I’m sure he’ll find someone who’ll love him, but his shyness and introversion will keep most people away.
“Good,” I reply. I don’t want any parents interfering with my plans. “Got cameras around the house?” The boys look at each other questioningly before narrowing their eyes at me. It is a suspicious question. “I ask because, if you do, I wonder if they caught what you all did to Braeden?”
The boys snigger and look at each other, but try to hide it behind their hands. Pricks. Then they look around me, trying to peek into my car to see if the boy is there. He’s not, but the windows are tinted anyway.
“You his dad?” One of the boys asks.
“Nope. I’m worse.”
They shift their feet and glance at each other again, some of their smugness washing off their faces, but not completely.
“Nope, no cameras,” Bryce says, folding his arms against his chest and smirking like an asshole. That’s not exactly denying what they did to Braeden.
“Excellent!” I reply, smiling smugly.
They all look at each other, now confused by my response. They’ll learn soon enough about why I’m happy there are no parents or cameras around. This is going to be fun.
“Go the fuck home. You can’t prove shit,” Bryce snaps.
“You know, you could’ve killed him, right? It’s one thing to push him into a pool. It’s another to hold him down, leaving him to believe he was going to die.”
“We were just fooling around. We didn’t hurt him.”
“Oh, but you did. Sometimes trauma is worse than physical pain. I should know. That’s what makes me even more pissed.
He tragically lost his fucking parents recently, and you clowns thought it was a good idea to bully him?
Are you insane? Are you that miserable in your pathetic little lives that you have to hurt other kids? ”
They say nothing, but there’s not an ounce of remorse on their faces. Little fuckshits.
“You’re fucking bullies. Braeden doesn’t need fucking pricks like you pushing him around.
Fortunately, he has me to protect him because I have no compunction in holding back.
I don’t need to talk to your parents. I don’t need to speak to the school principal.
It’s only you and me. Let’s have a little fun, yeah?
” I suddenly whip out the water gun blaster I filled with the stinkiest prank spray I could find on , which was delivered this morning.
When they see the water gun, they’re practically rolling with laughter, but it will be me who has the last laugh.
How little they know. “Big fucking deal. It’s a water gun.
You need to work on your pranks, bro,” says another boy.
What a shame my words go in one ear and out the other.
They have zero empathy. All the more reason to teach them a lesson.
Bryce starts to walk toward me with his arms out, smiling like an asshole. “Go for it. It’ll be fun. A little water hurt no one.”
I give them my most evil smile. “Oh, this ain’t water, boys.”
They all look at each other once more, and uncertainty filters across their faces. But they don’t have to wait long to see what I mean. I start spraying them, careful not to get any on me. It doesn’t take them long for their brains to register what they’re being sprayed with.
“Fuck!”
“Oh, hell…”
“Fucking gross!”
“Stop, stop!”
“Ugh, I’m gonna be sick…”
They start gagging and groaning, trying to get away from me as they rush toward the house. The stench is even making me gag, but I’m fucking cackling as I fire the vile liquid at them until the water gun is empty. Not gonna lie, this is fun.
Bryce is scrambling to dig in his pockets for his keys as the boys gather against him, trying to keep from being sprayed.
I’m still holding the gun as I drop it to my side, letting it drip on the lawn.
“If you don’t leave Braeden alone, I’ll make it even worse for you.
Do you understand? If you still refuse to stop bothering him, I will make it my life’s mission to get you expelled and ruin any chances at any sports or college careers. Understood?”
Once they’re inside with the door slammed closed, I smirk and wave. Now the house will smell, too. His parents will love that. Hey, at least I made sure it’s non-toxic. I’m not all bad.
I laugh again as I move around to the trunk of my car, open it, grab the trash bag, and toss the water gun in it, not wanting to get a drop in my car.
After I toss the toy into the trunk, I drive home. I have just enough time to get Braeden to his appointment.
I drum my fingers to a song that comes on the radio, smiling at the feeling of accomplishment. I’ll omit this part of the story when I tell Seth what happened to Braeden. He’ll scold me if I do. Still, I don’t regret what I did, even for a second.
After tossing the evidence into the garbage bin, I step inside the house. “Ready, Brae? We gotta get going.”
Cicero curls around my ankles, screaming again. “No time, you horse trough. I’ll feed you when we get home.”
The boy comes rushing down the stairs while tugging on a hoodie, even though it’s pretty warm out.
“Those boys should leave you alone now, but let me know if they bother you again, and I’ll deal with it.”
His blue eyes explode into the size of saucers, and his jaw drops. “You… took care of it?”
“I told you I would. I keep my promises, kiddo.”
“How?”
Should I tell him? Maybe it’d cheer him up. Perhaps it makes me look like a terrible parent. Nope. No regrets, Cal.
“Let’s just say those boys are going to stink to high heaven for the next few days.”
He suddenly snorts a laugh. “What?”
“They happened to come in close contact with a water gun filled with skunk spray.”
His laugh starts small, then it grows until he’s practically rolling and holding his stomach. Tears are streaming down his face as he pictures it, and I laugh with him.
“I’m sure it’s safe to go to school tomorrow. I doubt any of them will be there.”
“So, you didn’t tell their parents or the school?”
“Nope. This one was hands-on and a little taste of their own medicine without risking their lives.”
He chews on the string of his hoodie and giggles. “I wish I could’ve seen that.”
“It’s better you didn’t. But… it was pretty glorious.” I turn around and open the front door, careful not to let the cat out. “We’d better get going.”
“Cal?” he asks when we step outside, and I lock up.
“Yeah?”
“Thanks… you know, for what you did.”
I ruffle his hair before we head to my car parked in the driveway. “You’re welcome, kiddo.”
I sit in the waiting area while Braeden talks to Dr. Marc Gibson.
My knee is bouncing as I worry. I hope he gets some use out of therapy.
I wish I could be in there, but I know how important it is for Braeden to trust his doctor and for them to have a good rapport.
In turn, because I’m not being a pushy bastard to be in there and giving him space, I hope it establishes more trust with him.
They come out an hour later. The doctor looks a bit young to be a therapist, but what the hell do I know? His face is kind with dark brown eyes and perfectly trimmed scruff. Meanwhile, Braeden looks exhausted with red-rimmed eyes. No doubt pouring out your soul will do that.
I stand and wave. “Hey, how’d it go?”
“We made good progress today,” the doctor says. “The longer he sees me, the more he’ll open up. He’s been through a lot, as you know. That’s hard on an adult, let alone a young teen.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“He’s incredibly smart and insightful, too.”
I smile at that. “He really is.”
“You’re doing fine, Mr. Abernathy. I think Braeden’s in good hands.”
“Cal, please. And thank you. I hope so. I’m… trying my best.”
“I can tell from the way he talks about you. He trusts you.”
I inwardly beam at that. Knowing that I’m doing an okay job of taking care of him sends a wave of relief through me.
“Once you have full custody of Braeden, I think, in time, things will settle down for him, but a loss like this lasts a lifetime.”
“That’s what I’ve been telling myself.”
The doctor turns to Braeden. “I’ll see you next week, Braeden, okay?”
The boy nods and comes to stand close to me, being clingy again. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing, but Dr. Gibson smiles at it.
“I’ve already set the appointment up for next Wednesday at the same time.”
“Thanks, Doctor.”
“You’re welcome.”
Before he walks away, I stop him. “Hey, do you have any therapist recommendations for me? I should see one, too. I’m assuming there’s a conflict of interest if I see you as well?”
“Yes, I highly recommend you see someone else while I treat Braeden. I know a few I could recommend. I’ll send you an email later with their contact information.”
“Thanks again.”
When the doctor steps back into his office, I rest my hand on Braeden’s shoulder. “Ready to head home?”
“Yeah,” he says softly.
“We’ll need to get to bed early. Tomorrow’s a big day.”