Chapter 48

JAY'S POV
The drive to the school had been weirdly soothing for me but obviously exciting for the kid as he kept on bombarding me with questions about my life, work, basketball, everything and anything. I wasn't really a huge fan of children but we always seemed to click somehow. Usually, it took quite some time to find that footing, to be honest, and it was a surprise, a pleasant one, but a surprise nonetheless to find that Amber's kids and I had connected as quickly as we had.
Daniel had acted as my spokesman as we got to Amber's house the previous evening and even though I was against him accompanying me from the start, I was grateful he had stubbornly tagged along. All through the time we were there, I struggled to keep my cool but Daniel looked so much at ease I was envious.
Amber's pitch was enough to tell me something had happened and she was very upset about it. I gave Daniel that 'We should probably leave" look but he was too fixated on Melissa who hadn't shown up after I had said she was around. As I struggled to get Amber to calm down and listen to Frankie, Daniel was busy trying to convince Mel he had in actuality turned a new leaf.
After much interrogation, it turns out Frankie had done something serious and the principal had requested an audience to discuss the consequences of his actions. Amber was freaking out about the whole thing and the tension was higher than two nuclear power plants combined. I had somehow sensed the relationship between Amber and Frankie wasn't great and my suspicions were confirmed when they started conversing.
'If you're so angry about it, why do you want to go?" Frankie at yelled back at Amber as she bombarded him with questions which included,
'What exactly did you do that would prompt Mr Sterling to ask me to come to your school?!" The kid had looked her in the eyes and told her to go worry about her other children which she actually cared about and she should stop acting like he mattered.
It was harsh, I'd admit but someone I felt their relationship was the way it was cause they never actually communicated. I knew her intentions were right, she was his mother anyways, but her approach was totally wrong and that was why it seemed like the more she gave, the less she got. Something had to be done. Fast.
Apparently, the secrets to dealing with children is to do things their own way, without trying to enforce your own opinions on them. I know, I know, it's bad parenting but do we have other options? I didn't think so. And besides, what was the worse that could happen?
Well, turns out I was good at parenting than Amber cause I somehow managed to make Frankie see reason and with much persuasion, a little chip in from Mel and Daniel's strange charm, I was finally convinced Amber to allow me go see the principal in her place. Knowing Amber, I knew she needed lots of reassurance and promises and I made all of them without arguments. Parenting is hard you know?
Oxford Oaks was completely different from what I remembered, it felt like I was at an entirely different place. I had been too distracted at the decade anniversary reunion party to be able to take a good look at the school but as we drove into the school compound, I realized 10 years was enough time for things to change.
'Will you please excuse us, Franklin?" the principal had asked Frankie who wanted to do anything but leave the room. He turned to me for assurance and I nodded, giving him exactly what he needed. I have seen even the toughest bullies cower at the sight of the principal, even though this was a different person, the vibe was still the same.
The principal smiled, 'How long have you been back? I've been meaning to meet up with you, Curtis had a lot of things to say about you and the basketball team" it felt like the principal was anxious and rambling but I remained polite nonetheless.
'Mr Curtis was a great principal, the basketball team wouldn't have achieved so many feats without him" I commented smiling at the new principal. Curtis was a jerk like every other principal anywhere, but he was a brave, no nonsense taking, hard working jerk and he had led Oxford Oaks basketball team to multiple victories than we could have kept track of.
The meeting was centered more on me than on Frankie and honestly, I wasn't against it, I actually liked it. If I had forgotten everything Curtis had taught us back in the days, I couldn't forget the lecture on stalling by putting yourself in the good graces of your superior. Sterling wasn't exactly my superior but I'm sure you get the drift.
Amber was standing on the porch as I drove into the compound, a quick glance at my watch told me it was way past the time I promised to come back but I was caught up in the kids drama and had lost track of time.
Along with arriving late, I had also successfully established myself as Frankie's godfather back at his middle school. It was a necessary step I had to take without thinking about it thoroughly, mostly because I had to do anything to avoid his expulsion. The altercation with the silly blonde hair bully was just a way to add toppings on the delicious treat I had already given to Frankie.
The frown on her face indicated both worry and annoyance but I decided to dwell on the worry, she had every right to be angry but dwelling on the worry would help save my ass. I heard her breathe a huge sigh of relief as I got out of the car, I wanted to wrap her in my arms and tell her 'Everything was going to be fine" but it wasn't my place to do so.