"I'm old enough I don't have to stay here and take this." Jayden spoke hastily on borrowed ego and time. It was hopeless anyway and a hopeless man has nothing to lose.
"I don't have to stay here and take this…" He reasserted. He figured since he had come this far, he may as well continue.
"No you don't… Grown folks move out and pay their own bills."
"Why come you always gotta go there?"
"Cuz Marla Townsend pays the bills at 19 East Oak Street and if you want to continue living there you're going live by my rules."
"Then maybe I won't live there." Jayden hastily threw out and then stomped off leaving the dance floor and heading for his car. Tears burned the back of his eyes. He had had enough of his demanding, overbearing and over protective woman. If Marla Townsend had her way, he would never have any fun or grow up. Maybe the reason why his father was so indifferent towards him was because of her. Yea, that had to be the reason. It was because of her that his father never called or came around. Who could blame his father? What man in his right mind would want to put up with a spiteful, nagging, bitter and lonely old woman? Maybe if he called his dad and showed him that he was willing to leave his mom and wanted to be a part of his life his father could see that he understood why he didn't want to have anything to do with his mother; then maybe his father would accept him.
"Hello…" Jayden spoke into the phone once he got back home. He had raced to his room and to his desk's drawer where he had thrown his father's number.
"Yea, is this Jacob?"
"Yes… Who is this?" Jacob asked, and Jayden couldn't help but feel his heart sinking hearing that his father didn't even recognize his voice.
"Jayden… It's me… Jayden." He said with a low and disappointed voice. Why did he have to be the one explaining who he is? A man ought to recognize his own child's voice.
"Who?"
"J-Jayden… Jayden… Townsend… Your son…"
"Oh…"
Pause.
"So how have you been?"
"I'm alright…"
Pause.
"Oh, what about you?"
"It's cool…"
Pause.
"Hmm, Hey of…" Jayden stumbled. What should he call this man? Could he use the word "dad"?