Father's Day
Part Four
By: Carrie Verkman
carebear1025@juno.com

John wasn't having any luck reaching Kevin's father. Every time he called the office the rude secretary answered saying he wasn't there. John decided to talk to Kevin now. He knew it would be hard for him.

"Hey Kevin can I ask you some questions?" asked John. 

"About what?" he said. 

"Your dad." 

Kevin looked away. 

"I think I can help you." John said reassuringly. "Is you dad at home a lot?" 

Kevin didn't answer. 

"You have to tell me or I can't help you." John said. 

"My dad is hardly ever at home. That's why I go to that daycare." Kevin said softly. 

"I see. Hey, my dad wasn't around a lot when I was your age. He traveled a lot for business." John did have something in common with Kevin. 

"Really?"  he asked. 

"Yes, but this isn't about me. Do you get a lot to eat?" 

"I can't cook. So sometimes when dad's asleep I don't eat." 

"He sleeps when he comes home from work?" John was trying to fit all the pieces of the puzzle together. 

"After he has some beer. Then he gets really angry at me for not doing my homework or something like that." Kevin said. 

"Kevin, does your dad hit you? Is that how you got those bruises on your back?" asked John. 

"I fell off my bike!" Kevin shouted. "Don't talk to me! I hate this place!" Kevin got out of bed, but he tripped and fell. He started to cry. John picked Kevin up and put him in his bed. He wrapped an arm around Kevin. Poor kid, he thought.  

"Kevin, I can help you to be safe from your dad." 

"You will? He will stop hitting me?" Kevin said wiping tears from his eyes.  

"Yes." John said, "I hope so." He added quietly.

John realized Kevin's situation. He had an alcoholic and abusive father. Jack Roberts had no respect for his son. Poor Kevin was on his own and he needed help. John had seen people like Jack before. He knew how to help Kevin. Yes, he probably should be with his dad, but John hoped he could help provide a better future for Kevin. He compared his childhood relationship with his father to Kevin's. Kevin's should be better, John thought.  

End of Chapter Four