The Substitute Teacher

Part 138 ~ A Hard Goodbye

"I'm not gonna mention your mom now because the idea came from me . . . she tried to talk me out of it, I'm gonna be honest . . . but I think it's a good thing . . . it will help you and me . . . that I hope . . ."

"What. . . .?"

"I want you to stay at grandpa and gramda's house for a few weeks . . . "

"WHAT?! . . ."

"Yes . . . I love you son but I feel like I can't handle you . . . it hurts me to say that but it's true . . I feel like I failed . . . Jaylah's pregnant . . . you're in love with your teacher . . . I blame myself . . I must be doing something wrong here . . . . . and before things get even worse between us . . I want you to leave and spend some time with gramps and grandma . . ."

"I don't wanna stay there, dad!!! this is my room, I wanna stay here!!"

"No . . . I really want you to stay there . . I already called grandpa . . he's on his way to pick you up . . . please pack your stuff . . clothes . . . and other things . . . whatever you need over there . . . I'll call you downstairs when he's here . . . . . ."

"Dad . . . . why are you doing this??"

"Because I love you, son . . . ."

"No . . . this has nothing to do with love, YOU HATE ME, DAD!!! admit it!"

"I don't hate you . . I never did and I never will . . . but I can't deal with you right now . . . 4 or 5 weeks at grandma and grandpa's house will do you good . . and it will do me good . . . ok? . . . please start packing . . . I'm downstairs"

"Dad . . . . I'm sorry . . . ."

Jaden runs into my arms . . . I put my hand on his shoulder and give him a hug back.

"Me too . . . . the doorbell just rang, Jade . . . grandpa is here . . ."

"Dad!!!!!! . . . ." 

"Jaden, please . . . . do as I say . . . pack your stuff and get ready"

Jaden lets go of me . . . . . does this hurt me? . . yes . . is my heart breaking? . . yes it is . . . but we need this . . . I need Jaden to get away for a while . . . grandpa is a strict dude and he will set him straight . . . I'm not saying I can't do that but whenever I grab him or give him a little slap, I feel so bad . . . . . I hate having to put my hands on him but sometimes I can't hold myself back . . . . that is why I want him to stay with his grandparents . . . he needs to learn how to interact . . . gain respect again . . . treat his family with respect . . . . . and most of all, I want him to learn how to respect himself . . . .

I walk downstairs . .

"Hey dad!"

"Hi son . . . where's little junior?"

"Oh, he's still upstairs . . . thanks for picking him up, dad . . ."

"Oh, don't ya worry . . . Jaden will be in good hands"

"I'm really struggling with him lately . . . thanks for doing this"

"It's ok . . . you need some time off, Michael . . . don't feel bad about it . . every parent needs some time off . . . and your mother and I would LOVE to have Jaden with us . . . there is no reason for you to feel bad, Mike . . you're not doing anything wrong and NO . . you didn't fail as a parent like you said on the phone. . . you're a great father . . . I'm very proud of you, son"

"I wish I could feel the same way . . . . ."

We sit down and have coffee . . Jaden is still upstairs . . and why do I have the feeling that he's not packing his stuff? . . I walk to the staircase but then I look at my dad . . . maybe he should go up there and talk to Jaden . .