“She’s probably tied up with work.”

“Yeah.”

“Honey, I didn’t thank you for the flowers.”

“That’s ok. I mean I just wanted to say thank you. You know for the weekend”

“Well you’re welcome.”

We ate and talked, and before long it was after three. Renee and Aiden wouldn’t be home for another two hours or so. We left and headed back home. When we got in, there were four messages waiting. Bette pressed the play button.

‘You have four new messages waiting, press play again to hear the first message’ Mom pressed the play button again.

‘Two thirty p.m.’ “Hi Angie, I just wanted to say thank you for the flowers. I will call you later. I love you.” End of message.’

‘Three ten p.m.’ “Aiden this is Bruce, from homeroom. My brother wants to know if you have anymore of the Brent Abernathy baseballs. If you do he would like one please.” End of message.’

 ‘Three O nine p.m.’ “Yo Aiden, its Lisa, sorry for calling you at home, but do you think you could get your hands on a Jose Ortiz autograph ball for me. I would really appreciate it.” End of message.’

‘Three twenty nine p.m.’ “Aiden, JR says that he’s related to Carlos Delgado and he’s looking for us. Give me a call as soon as you get this.” ‘End of message.’

Bette shook her head, “Aiden what have you gotten yourself into this time?”

***Tina***

Aiden got home about an hour after we did. I was in the kitchen getting dinner ready, Bette was helping me. ‘So Aiden how was school?” I asked trying to see how much information he will give us.

“Cool. The usual stuff.” He didn’t stay long enough for a more detailed answer.

“Not so fast young man.” Bette grabbed his arm to stop him as he rushed past her. “Have a seat.”

“What’s up?”

I played back the three messages left for him. His face changed as we listened to the last one. “Care to explain who JR is and why is he looking for you?” Bette asked.

“JR? Well he’s a guy at school.” She gave him the ‘don’t jerk us around’ look. “Alright. I kindda had some baseballs with autographs of some major league players. The only catch is that the autographs were stamps and not genuine. Now Juan Roberto Delgado a.k.a. JR wants in on the deal or her spills the beans.”

“Aiden, when are you going to learn?”

“Mom how was I to know that JR knew Carlos?”

“That’s not the point.”

“Its fraud, Aiden.” I continued.

“Fraud is such a bad word.”

“Give it to me.” I demanded.

“What?”

“The money you made.”

“But mom?!” He whined.

“Don’t but mom me. And we are with holding your allowance until you learn that you can’t out smart people like that and get away with it.”

“How about I keep what I made and you suspend my allowance?”

“Aiden this is not up for negotiation!” Bette yelled in frustration. Aiden and I were both startled by the elevation in her voice. It’s the first time she’s raised her voice at any of our children. She took a deep breath and clamed herself. “Look, we have always backed you up with all your little ventures, but Aiden fraud is a serious offence and I’m sorry I yelled at you, but you need to understand that sometimes the things you do have consequences.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t think. I mean of all the Delgados in the world, he had to be related to Carlos Delgado.” The look again, this time form the both of us. “Sorry, sorry. I’ll sort everything out tomorrow. And I’ll give back the money to the kids at school.”

“Good. Now go to your room.” He got up to leave. Bette stuck her hand out and held him around his waist. “You know we’re doing this because we love you right?”

He sighed. “Yeah, I know. And I love you too.” He hugged the both of us and went to his room.