Free Jaden Baker by Courtney Kirchoff

phone rang. Saved by the bell. Literally.
    Jaden looked up because the Kauffmans jumped in their seats, Jenny sloshing juice on the table, Derek almost stabbing himself with his fork. The three of them stared at each other as the phone rang a second time, no one daring to speak first.
    “I’ll get it,” Jenny said. Jaden watched her answer the phone and listened to the conversation.
    “Hello? Oh hi, Ed.”
    Oh great, Finn’s daddy.
    “Yes we’re here.” She looked over at Jaden, who did his best to act casual. Her eyes darted between Derek and Jaden, and they were still wide. “Um, sure. Yeah, that would be fine. No, no, we’re just finishing up breakfast.” Pause. “I think that’s a great idea. We’ll see you soon. Okay, bye now.”
    “What did he want?” Jaden asked before she hung up the phone, keeping the subject away from what they were all thinking about.
    “Finn wants to come over and apologize,” Jenny said, as she sat at the table.
    Jaden doubted that. Finn’s parents were probably forcing him to apologize, especially after Jaden booked it last night. They’d probably rounded on him after Ryan relayed how the whole thing went down, and Finn was revealed to be the instigator.
    “Good,” Derek said with feeling. “He started the whole thing. Little jerk.”
    “Yes, but Jaden shouldn’t have hit him either, honey,” she said to her husband, putting emphasis on the pet name. “It’s not a good idea to resort to violence.”
    “I agree, dear, but it’s what I would’ve done.”
    Jenny glared at her husband. “We’re not going to teach him that it’s okay to hit someone, even if they do behave like an animal. Right?”
    Derek glanced at Jaden then back to his wife. “Of course not.”
    “In fact, I think it would be a good idea if Jaden also apologizes. Don’t you agree, my love?” she asked him.
    Jaden bit his lip to keep from smiling.
    “Yes, of course I do, my princess. Whatever you think is best.”
    “I’m so glad we agree,” she said sweetly. She pushed away from the table. “Now, I’m going to get ready for our morning outing and put on my face. Will you two please clear the table when you finish?”
    “Gladly,” said Derek.
    Jenny nodded to him then left for her bedroom. As soon as she was out of ear shot, Derek turned to Jaden and whispered: “Remind me to teach you how to box, so next time you can knock out your opponent and won’t need to choke him.”
    When the door bell rang, Jenny and, grudgingly, Derek escorted Jaden to the door. Before opening it, Jenny bent over and licked her fingers then wiped at a spot on Jaden’s face. He squirmed and rubbed his own cheek.
    “Well you had some crumbies there,” she said.
    “It’s an apology, he’s not going for a scholarship,” Derek said.
    She ignored him. “Do you know what you’re going to say?” she asked Jaden.
    That the next time he talks about my mother I’m going to rip his tongue out, throw it on the frying pan, marinate it with soy sauce, and make him eat it?
    “Yes,” he said.
    Jenny opened the door.
    There stood Ed with Finn. Ed smiled at Jaden, but Jaden did not smile back. Ed patted his son’s shoulders. “Okay, Finn, don’t you have something you’d like to say?”
    Finn stared at a spot on his shoes. “I’m sorry about what I said last night. It was insensitive and inappropriate, and mean-spirited. I will not do it again. Please forgive me.”
    And if you do say that, or anything close to it again, I will shove something up your—
    Jenny nudged him and Jaden cleared his throat. “I’m sorry I tried to kill you,” he muttered, crossing his arms.
    He and Finn glared at each other.
    “Okay, now shake hands,” Jenny said.
    Jaden kept his hands crossed and Finn did not move.
    Ed picked up his son’s right arm and Finn finished the motion, putting his hand out. Jaden did the same and grabbed his hand, shook it once, then dropped it and crossed his arms again.
    The parents regarded each