Inspired by - 19. The Kid

Imagine where your character leads a pretty decent single life. Then there is a phone call and that life is turned upside down as they find out they have just become a parent, to a teenager. Is this a cousin that has been left with no other family members? A god child? A niece or nephew? What is this first meeting between them going to be like?

The plane would be touching down in about any minute now. Robert sat in the seat checking tickets and looking at his watch. His hands were sweaty and this wasn’t exactly how he planned to spend his day but then he hadn’t been expecting the phone call either.

“Mr. Robert Christopher, please,” came the professional voice on the phone.

“Speaking.”

“Ah, Mr. Christopher, I’m glad I caught you at home. I’m Alexandra Agnes. I represent Mr. and Mr. Gibbs.”

“Okay. What is up with Tom and Denise that you need to call me?”

“Hasn’t anyone contacted you before now, Mr. Christopher?”

“No. Why?”

There was silence on the phone for a moment. Robert could hear the sound of a pen scratching and a muttered “God, damn it, not again.” He sat waiting curious what this could be about.”

“You know the Gibbs have a daughter?”

“Yes, I know all about Autumn. I’m her god-father.”

“And you don’t know?”

“What is it I’m supposed to know Ms. Agnes?”

“That they were in a car accident.”

Robert would have fallen if he wasn’t already seated.

“Are they alright?” he asked in a voice barely above a whisper.

“I wish someone else had already contacted you, Mr. Christopher. Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs were killed in the accident last week. They were buried on Friday. I had assumed this had already been told to you.”

Robert nearly dropped the phone. His mind was reeling. He could remember going to their wedding at the local court house. The reception held in Denise’s apartment for all six guests. The announcement that came three months later was of her pregnancy. There was the surprise of being asked to be godfather to their child. The christening and the party that followed were things he remembered fondly. Then when Autumn was five, Thomas was offered a job in New Mexico. Denise put in for a transfer in the post office and just like that the little bundle of joy he babysat every chance he got was gone across the country. There were calls, pictures, and gifts exchanged but he hadn’t seen Autumn in person since she was five. How long ago was that?

“Mr. Christopher, are you still there?”

That woke him out of his revelry.

“Yes, I’m sorry. I just wasn’t expecting that.”

“Mr. Christopher, are you aware you are listed as the sole guardian of their daughter. The estate is to be put in trust for her. They didn’t list anyone else as possible guardians if you choose not accept.”

Guardian? I’m going to be guardian? Hell, I barely get myself together and now I’d be responsible for Autumn. But Thomas has his brother. He was the only one with a sibling. Oh wait. That is right, Robert is in jail. No, can’t let her go to him. Oh my God, I’m going to be a guardian!

“Um, she does have an uncle but I know there is no way that man is fit to take her.”

“I know. He is listed but not a viable option. If you turn down the guardianship she will be declared a ward of the state. I just want you to know everything up front, Mr. Christopher.”

“Okay. How soon do I have to be there?”

“The sooner the better. By this Friday at the latest.”

“Where is she now?”

“Her next door neighbor is watching her for the moment. The state wanted to take her already but I am holding them at bay with her parent’s will.”

“I’ll call work and try to get a ticket out there tomorrow.”

Ms. Agnes gave him all sorts of numbers to reach her at. Robert was like a zombie for a while. He went on automatic pilot as he called the job and told them he was taking a week’s vacation immediately, explaining there was a death in the family and he was needed in New Mexico. Then he called his travel agent and told him he needed a flight out tomorrow. There would be a return flight in six days but he would need tickets for two.

He barely slept after he hastily packed a bag. The following morning he took a cab to the airport with a single piece of carry on luggage and now he was moments away from touchdown.

Crossing through the airport he wasn’t expecting anyone to be waiting for him. As he was nearing the where the passengers had to go through to get their luggage or leave he spotted a tall blonde woman with a sign that read ‘Mr. Christopher.’ What caught his attention was the dark haired girl beside her that looked just like Denise. Before he could say anything the girl grabbed the blonde and pointed.

“That’s him.”

“Autumn? Is that you?” Robert asked trying to match the last picture he had to this young woman before him.

Autumn came running and threw herself into Robert’s arms and cried.

“You must be Robert,” said the blonde woman as she followed at more sedate pace behind Autumn.

“Yes, I’m Robert. I’m sorry, but who are you?”

The blonde reached out and shook Robert’s hand as she looked around for his luggage.

“I’m sorry. I’m Alice Stanton. I live next door to Autumn.”

“Ah.”

“Ms. Agnes let us know which flight you were coming in on. Autumn wanted to be here.”

Robert looked down at Autumn. He could barely recognize her, even though he had been sent pictures. The little fat legs and round face of the five year he remembered were long gone. She stood at maybe five foot four now. Her face was slender and she had her mother’s dark hair. The dark brown eyes were that of Tom’s but the nose was the small petite one of Denise. Right now her eyes were red and swollen. Robert wrapped one arm around her shoulder as they followed Alice.

“I suppose we better get over to the luggage area so you can get the rest of your things.”

“No need. I traveled light and only have this one bag.”

Alice paused and looked at the bag and then back at Robert.

“Guess you really just flew out here.”

“Pretty much.”

Autumn stayed quiet but she didn’t leave his side. At the car she sat in the back with him while they drove back to Autumn’s home.

The house was a big old ranch style home. The front was full of flowers and the yard was well kept. Robert was a bit surprised at how much space his old friend’s owned. Autumn walked up the path and unlocked the door. Alice paused at the gate and watched as Autumn walked into the house.

“The most she would let us do is pack up their clothes and donate them. The rest of the house hasn’t been touched. She wanted you to see it. I think she hopes you will move here with her.”

Robert nodded and headed in the door. The house was an open floor plan and the colors were light. The whole place seemed so inviting. There was a living room area to the left and straight ahead was kitchen, and the dining area was behind it. All over the walls and end tables were family pictures, pictures of Autumn growing up, and Robert even found pictures of himself that had been sent over the years. While he might not have been here physically he was certainly not forgotten.

“Uncle Rob are you going to take me?” Autumn asked quietly from the staircase.

“Autumn, you know I am. I wouldn’t leave you alone.”

She nodded and ran upstairs.

Robert wasn’t sure how to proceed. He knew he needed to talk to Autumn. He set his bag down and followed her upstairs. It wasn’t hard to figure out which room was hers. The door was covered with posters and a big ‘do not disturb’ sign hung in the middle. Robert knocked and waited.

“Come in,” came the muffled voice inside.

Robert walked in and found he knew he was in new territory. The room was one in a state of flux. There were the odd picture or little girl stuffed toy but there were also bras sticking out of drawers, makeup on the top of the desk, and sneakers and high heels all over the floor. Robert could remember Denise saying she was grateful for a daughter because they would always be neater than a boy would. Sprawled across the bed with her face in the pillows was Autumn. Robert made his was through the war zone of a floor and sat on the end of the bed. He put his hand on her back and rubbed till she turned and looked at him.

“Autumn, we need to talk.”

Autumn’s eyes were red and her face showed the strain she was under.

“Okay,” she mumbled looking at him.

“Before you decide anything, there are some things you need to know about me. Okay?”

Autumn nodded.

“Just how old are you again?”

Autumn put on a small smile.

“I’m thirteen. I’ll be fourteen in November. Mom is going …”

“It’s alright, Autumn,” Robert began seeing the fresh tears brimming on her face.

Autumn sat and pulled her knees up to her chest and looked at Robert.

“I just want you to know everything before we go forward okay? I don’t want to force anything on you.”

Autumn nodded.

“I am not sure how much your parents told you about me. You know I am your godfather right?”

“Yes, and that you live in New York. That you have been a friend of Mom’s since she was sixteen and that you were at their wedding.”

“I was at their wedding. I was also in the hospital when you were born and babysat you constantly till your parents moved out here.”

Autumn nodded and looked at Robert but kept hugging her knees.

“Did they tell you I was gay?”

“Mom did.”

“Are you okay with that?”

“Why? Are you going to change?”

Robert smiled at that. She had her mother’s attitude. No wonder Denise said that her daughter was an awful lot like her.

“Nope. I just wanted to make sure you knew before we decided anything.”

“Are you dating?”

“No, single,” Robert said softly.

“So I don’t have to worry about you being married and your husband not wanting me.”

“No, just me.”

“Can we stay here?”

“Sorry, Autumn, my job is back in New York. I have a house as well there. You would have your own room and all.”

“What happens to here? What about Mom and Dad’s stuff? What about my stuff?”

“I’m not sure about everything yet, Autumn. I haven’t talked to Ms. Agnes, your parent’s lawyer. That will happen tomorrow and I guess we will both find out everything.”

“I’m going to lose all my friends if I go.”

“Do you have their email and their addresses?”

“Duh.”

Robert couldn’t help but laugh. His mother always said that as a teenager he had been a real smart ass. Now he was getting a taste of that.

“Well you can skype with them. And we can come out here on vacation. It isn’t like I plan to never let you come back to see your friends.”

Autumn looked up at him. Her face was wary.

“Really? You aren’t just telling me what I want to hear?”

“Did your parents tell you what sort of work I did?”

“No? Why? What do you do?”

“Let me put it this way, I make a damn good salary and now I have a reason to travel. Okay?”

“What about my stuff?”

“What about it?”

“Well it’s mine. I want it.”

“Naturally.”

Autumn stared at him.

“Oh. Forgive me. Naturally, if you decide you are living with me we will have it packed up and shipped back to New York.”

The conversation probably would have continued if Robert’s stomach hadn’t growled.

“You’re hungry.”

“Well I haven’t eaten since before the plane trip started this morning. Was too nervous during the pit stop and on the plane all they serve are peanuts and I’m allergic to them.”

Autumn shook her head.

“Why didn’t you say so? We have a packed refrigerator full of food. Besides, Mom always made sure I knew how to cook.”

Saying that Autumn bounced off the bed and wiped her eyes. She grabbed Robert by the hand and took him down stairs to the kitchen. She got busy making dinner for the two of them. Tomorrow would be a long day with the lawyer and both their futures being decided but tonight it was just the two of them getting to know one another, God-father and God-daughter.