23.8 Growing Up

It took Jared a while to realize his son behaved oddly. He said barely three words before stuffing his face repeatedly with fruit salad. The sight gave Jared a chuckle as that was more his brother’s behavior.

Kaiden’s eyes danced around the room, focusing on things he never cared about before like the new artwork and blinds. When would those kids learn they couldn’t hide anything from their parents? Whatever it was, no matter how terrible, they could trust them. Together, they would get through it.

“Son?”

“Yeah, Dad?” he said with his mouth full.

Jared snickered. “I’m not your mother and don’t intend to pepper you with a bunch of questions, so why don’t you just go ahead and spit it out.”

Kaiden’s cheeks flushed and eyes shot open. “Huh? W-what do you mean?”

“Don’t play with me, boy.”

Kaiden’s shoulders and lungs deflated as he had been made. “Ok.”

“What’s going on?”

The young man’s face contorted like the time he had to explain why he put one of his aliens in the dishwasher. It was so amazing to see how, although his children were growing up quickly, some things from their childhood never changed. Underneath all that muscle was still his sweet little boy.

“I have something to say, and … I don’t want to come off as ungrateful, but–“

“Spit it out, Kaiden! Are you moving out, or what?”

Kaiden’s mouth dropped. “How did you know?”

He chuckled at his son’s oblivion. “You’re a man now, son. It’s time for you to be out in the world. And, I know you’ve had stuff going on in your life, but I think some of that frustration comes from being here, right?”

“Y-yeah,” he said sheepishly.

“It’s ok, Kaiden. We’re not meant to spend our lives with our families. My situation was different, being the spare and all, but I wanted to leave too. A man always wants his own castle. I think you’re about there.”

“I just … I don’t know. It’s a big step. And, honestly, I’m kinda scared.”

“That’s good.”

“It’s good that I’m scared?”

“Sure. It means you recognize the responsibility and will do whatever it takes to make it work.” Jared snorted. “Your friend across the street could use a little fear.”

“Heh, yeah. He’s…different.”

“So, what’s the plan? Have you been saving your money? Or, were you looking for us to help you?”

“No, I’m good. I’ve been looking casually online, and I saw a few places I really like that could totally work. I was thinking about checking them out this weekend.”

Jared nodded and grinned in pride. “That’s great, son. This will be good for you. I’m proud.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“Do you want me to come with you?”

“I don’t know. I might want to do this by myself, but I haven’t decided yet.”

Jared grinned and felt his chest puffing up. His son was no longer a boy. Mr. Sweet Face, Asia called him. That moment reminded him of when Kaiden used to play with the nesting blocks. Jared would help him figure out where the shapes went, but after a while, Kaiden wanted to do it on his own. Jared only wanted to help, but the boy would yell, “Me do it!” He would put the blocks in the wrong slots so many times before getting it right. Was Kaiden ready to fly the coop? Or, was this decision a response to social pressures? Jared didn’t know. But, what he did know was that Kaiden had to try and figure things out on his own. Eventually, he’d get it right, and the world would open up for him.