The Love Game

CH. 19 Kids Plan

Chapter 19 Kids Plan

Garrison P.O.V.

I am sitting on my bed crying. I can’t believe that I lost Rachel and my new siblings. They were a dream come true. We could have been a nice big family. But dad ruined it. I know he was the one that broke it off, Rachel was too nice and giving to be the one to do it. I remember our vacation to Disney World and how much fun we had. Suddenly there was a soft know at my door. I do not answer. I just bring my knees to my chest and keep crying. I feel like someone is seating next to me, scared that its my dad. I feel a soft small hand on my shoulder and go to look up. I sigh in relief that its Grace. I lean against her and she gives me a big hug.

“Ssssssshhhhh…” Grace starts to rock my back and forth.

I hiccup, “why Grace?” I feel her shake her head.

“I don’t know sweetheart. I wish I had all the answers for you. But I am here. You still have me.” I feel her kissing the top od my head. “But we will get through this. Just you wait. Everything will always get better with time.” I sniffle and squeeze her tight. I hope I can still be friends with Jackie, Bella, and Matt. I would never forgive my father is I lose that friendship.

I did not know what time I fell asleep last night. I woke up with the sun in my eyes. I go to rub them open and I see my father sitting at the foot of my bed. I move back as far away as I can because I don’t want to be near him right now. I see him start to tear up. Why is my dad about to cry? Why should he cry if he was the one her hurt them?

“Son I know this is one of the hardest things to understand…” He stops to take a deep breath, “but know that I did not break up with her for the wrong reason. Someone is trying to hurt you and them and I had to keep you all safe. I will not forbid you to see them. I feel safer when you are with them at their house. I just will not be able to come close to any one of them. I am very sorry that I hurt you and hurt them. I hope and pray that one day you will forgive me. I love you and I just can’t lose you like I lost your mother.” He takes a long look at me and I nod. He then walks out of the room. I hope I can get to the bottom of it. I just can’t wait to see them at school again. I know now that my dad didn’t do it on purpose.

Jackie P.O.V.  

Monday arrives and it is the last month of school. All our game seasons are over, and we are spending more lazy time at home. Luckily Mom said that she has some friends that are going to come over from time to time to give us mixed martial arts training, until our sports seasons are back. Mom informed us that Garrison will be sleeping over today, strange it being a Monday and all. But we were happy to be seeing him. I hear the doorbell ring and immediately throw the magazine I was reading next to me as I hope out of bed. I got down stair to find Garrison and Grace there. I was beyond thrilled to see them. Bella and Matt were already there greeting them with big hugs. I smile and hug them both.

“So glade to see you too again.” I say finishing giving my big hugs.

“Sis we need to talk. Is your mom home?” Garrison said

“Um no. with the added security mom now trusts us to stay home alone, but I am in charge. Why what is it?” I was puzzled at his abruptness.

“Ok let’s go to the media room. I know its soundproof right?” He asks

“Yea…Um…ok?” I lead everyone to media room including Grace. Grace closes the door behind us as us kids take our seat in a circle facing each other.

“So you hear about our parents break up?” Garrison ask starting off our meeting

“Yea mom told us on Friday when Uncle Conner, Aunt Cat, and Uncle Ian were here. That’s why we cancelled family movie night.” Bella said with a sad tone.

“Is your mom alright?” Garrison was so sweet in asking about our mom.

“She is fighting to stay strong. She is working at the company more, and in the middle of the night she stays up and works out for hours on end. I am worried. But when she sees us she just stays positive and happy for our sake.” I said. I was the only one that watched my mom carefully.

“Yea it’s like she is wearing a mask. We all know that she tries to cover up her pain.” Matt said with a sad look on his face.

“Well as much as I want to hate my father, I can’t. You know that I Love you all and I was so excited to be your brother…” Garrison paused as the three us remained silent just watching him. “My dad said something cryptic about why he broke up with your mom. Like he was forced to do it or something. I don’t know. He was really vague. But my dad is hurting just as much as your mom. I haven’t seen my dad since that morning. But I have heard him break things in his office and curse a ton.”

“So what made him break up with our mom? I mean come one this whole arrangement was perfect!” I said trying to put the puzzle pieces together with this new information.

“I don’t really know. But dad did say that I can come over whenever I want. Grace is already close to your mom. So we at least have that. He also said that I am safer here. That in the end he was trying to save everyone.”

“Bizarre…!” I said. Maybe if we kept Garrison for the summer then we could try to figure out what the problem was and get our parents back together. “Ok, there is obviously something fishy going on and I think it is up to us to gather as much information as we came. Garrison, I want you to snoop around with Grace’s help and see if there is any files that can lead up somewhere about this ordeal. Meanwhile you are going to be with us Wednesday through Sunday at our house sleeping over. At least until school ends, then we will try to convince our parents just to have you over here all summer. How does that sound?”

“Great! Right Grace?” We all look back a Grace who is just standing next to the door admiring out resolve.

“Absolutely, you can all count me in.” Grace said with a soft smile. I almost think that she is a modern Mary Poppins.

“Great operation love game in effect.” Bella stated.

“Love game…really?” I say with a raised eyebrow.

“Yea! It almost sounds romantic, and we are almost like playing a game.” Bella said rolling her eyes as if we are supposed to get her.

“OK operation love game in effect.” I just rolled with it as everyone was nodding in agreement.