Chapter 414: A son full of concern
Kellen and Casper ran into his Dad and Charlie when they were heading to dinner at the end of the day. Casper had hung around, doing his work from his tablet as he also sat in on Kellen’s training session with his students. Kellen and Casper had realised it had been a long time, if he had ever sat in and watched his students train.
The two of them could tell that they were nervous, stealing glances at Casper as he sat there, all prim and proper in a folding chair at a fold out table, his phone ringing occasionally if someone needed something from him. Kellen knew he had probably made notes on the training session as well.
That was made clear when Casper pointed out that some of the Guides were using more of their powers, or releasing more of their powers as they trained. As Kellen wasn’t able to know that, he hadn’t even realised. Kellen wondered if Brent had, but hadn’t said anything to Kellen. Either way, Kellen tucked that information away, ready to look into it once he wasn’t so anxious, or had the time to be anxious and heavily bury himself in researching something.
Casper and Kellen had decided to have dinner together in the cafeteria to continue their discussion about Guide related issues, and Rhys was going to join them once he finished up a meeting. It was while they were in the elevator that they ran into Charlie and Kellen’s Dad.
Kellen’s Dad didn’t look well, and it was then that Kellen felt like a really shit son. He’d been so busy with everything else in his life that he had forgotten to check up on his Dad after the death of his Aunt’s partner.
He had noticed that his parents were missing around the Guild, but he had been so absorbed in his own life that he hadn’t checked up on them. Instead, Charlie had done so in his place, and Kellen felt even worse. He was just a kid. A kid who had come from a shitty background, and that only made Kellen feel worse.
"Dad. Charlie." Kellen said as he stepped into the elevator, and with only a moment’s hesitation, he reached for his Dad and pulled him close. "I’m so sorry. I’ve been so busy that I-" His Father’s arms clamped around him, hugging him tightly.
"Shut up, Kellen. It’s okay that you have your own life. I’m not upset." His Dad said immediately, his words laced with love. "It’s okay. Charlie has been taking good care of me, and so has your Mom. Gwen has also been busy, so it’s okay. I know you two are doing your part to deal with the issues the E.A.G. are causing. It’s okay." He was so kind. Kellen squeezed him tighter.
"No. It’s not okay. I’m sorry. I should have at the very least sent you a fruit basket or something." Kellen muttered and his Dad gave a short laugh.
"Me? Why would I need a fruit basket? I didn’t-" Kellen pushed him away from his chest, staring into his eyes and that silenced his Dad. His Dad wasn’t one to normally say things so bluntly, or harshly, but given the situation, Kellen was willing to overlook it. He would overlook it no matter what, but he just knew where it was coming from this time.
"Dad. It’s okay to be upset at me." Kellen told him. "I should have supported you." Kellen’s Dad’s watered.