Not long after Taylor left all of the Hanson’s gathered at Taylor’s house. Isaac and his family, Zac and his family, Diana and Walker, Mackie, Zoë, Jessie and her family, and Avery.

“Let’s say a prayer.” Avery said.

“Yes, let’s.” Diana said.

They gathered in a circle, kids and all holding hands.

“Can I say the prayer?” Mark asked.

“Of course.”

“Father we ask you that you bring our uncle, son, and brother Taylor home with his son our cousin, friend, and family member. Please let Taylor be strong for him. Please lend him out love and support in this trial. Amen.”

The family stood there in the circle for a few minutes after the prayer.

Taylor arrived at the meeting place. The police were just around the corner. Taylor was wired so they could hear if he needed help. A car pulled up and Karen stepped out. Chris not to far behind.

“Daddy!” Chris screamed.

Karen held Chris back. “Do you have the money?”

“Yes, I do.”

Karen stepped forward. “I’ll give you the kid for the money and a kiss.”

“That wasn’t part of the deal.”

“It is now. Do you want your son back, or not?”

“Of course I do.”

“Then give me a kiss Taylor, like you would your wife.”

Taylor licked his lips in disgust. He leaned closer to her and began to kiss her and kneed her in the stomach causing her to double over.

She lost her breath. And was on the ground.

Taylor ran over and scooped up Chris and the bag and ran to the car. He turned on the ignition and they were out of there. They went to where the police were.

“She’s over there. I kneed her, I have my money and my kid. She is probably still there. Please, lock her up.” Taylor said spitefully.

“Daddy, she has a boy at her apartment. She treats him bad, Dad.” Chris said.

“Don’t worry young man we’ll get the boy out of there. You just go home to your family.”

Taylor and Chris got into the car.

Chris looked at him. “You did good, Dad.”

Taylor broke out into a smile. “Thanks kid, you’re okay too, I guess. She didn’t hurt you did she?”

“No, Dad, she didn’t. She’s sad. She wants you so bad.”

“I know.”

“She had pictures of you all over the wall in this one room.”

“A lot of girls have my pictures.”

“No, Dad, this was weird. She had mom marked out of all of the ones with you two in it.

“Well, she’s sick. Don’t worry about it now.”

They arrived home and everybody swarmed around Chris. After everything had settled down Taylor realized that Mark hadn’t gone home. That he and Chris were still talking.

As he walked closer he was able to make out part of the conversation.

“…it’s okay Mark, you didn’t mean for it to happen. It’s not your fault I’m fine.”

Taylor smiled. “Mark, you are just like your father sometimes it’s scary how much you two can be alike.” He said smiling at him.

“Really, I’m like my dad? How?” Mark asked.

“You mean to tell me that you don’t see it?” Taylor asked.

“No, I don’t see it.”

“You really don’t know your dad too well do you, Mark.”

“I guess I don’t. Tommy said the same thing to me the other day.”

“Maybe you should spend less time trying to break away from him and more time getting to know him.”

“How did you?”

“See right there tells me that you really don’t know your dad. If you don’t understand why I know things then you don’t know him.”

Mark just stared at him confused.

“You better go home, Mark.”

He stood up and nodded. “I’m glad you’re home, Chris.” He gave his cousin a hug.

“Me too. Bye, Mark.”