Haynes' POV

1 Day before the party

I just sent out Eliza and her gays out to the mall to shop. Truthfully, I really don't like Edgar and Edwin was stopping by today. I have no idea why, but I'm sure it can't be good. I just don't think Eliza wants to be apart of my family drama. Someone knocked on the door and it was Edwin. 

"So, what's the big news?" I asked.

"I lost my house. My ex wife not only got custody of my kid, but also got my house."

"Wait, that case was still going on?"

"It is still going on. I don't know how she's winning." 

"But you're a lawyer."

"Yeah and you're a doctor. Glad we got that all figured out."

I was completely confused, "I'm lost."

Edwin looked at me with tears forming in his eyes, "Haynes. I'm losing everything."

"Can't you go to your ex wife and talk to her?" I suggested.

He shook his head, "We're not allowed to see each other while the case is open."

"She has never met, has no idea who I am. Maybe I could say something?"

He looked at me, not completely disgusted by my suggestion, "that might actually work. Aubrey goes to the elementary school, the public one that we never went to. It was your dream school." 

"Okay, do we know of any kids we could borrow for this?" I asked.

He gave me a confused look.

"I don't want to look like a child predator." I shrugged.

We took a while to actually think about it. 

"Wait! Eliza's friend is a kindergarten teacher there," I looked at my watch, "is she in morning or afternoon class?"

"Afternoon."

"Perfect, let me give Lewis a call." 

I called him and explained the situation. He said we would obviously have to lie about why I would be there. So we came up with an inspiration talk. The principle loved it and I was off. Edwin texted me a picture of his daughter Aubrey and ex wife. His daughter is adorable by the way. I arrived at the school and signed in. I knocked on Lewis' door. 

"Looks like we have a visitor!" He shouted, walking towards the door. 

He let me in. I spotted Aubrey right away. And noticed the principle in the way back. 

"Try not to make it obvious." Lewis whispered to me. 

""Hi, I'm Haynes and I'm so weird." I said. 

A kid raised his hand, "why?"

"Because I am a doctor, who's also an artist and changed his name. My real name use to be Harley. That was too boring for me. I needed something fun and exciting."

"Could you change my name? I don't like the name Alex." The same kid asked.

I looked at the principle, who was waiting to see how I reacted. Oh so this is a test. Cool, thank god I don't get anxiety over that stuff anymore. 

"Sure, tell me a little about yourself." 

"Well, I like cars and ballet." He said the second one quietly. 

The other kids started to snicker, one kid even said "that's gay."

"Ballet? I think that's awesome," I hesitated, giving the principle a look that I was going to address the gay comment. She nodded her head. This could ruin everything that I'm working towards with my brother, "and using the word gay as an insult is offensive. Who said it?" 

This boy who just looked like the school bully tried to hide when I asked. 

"I take it, it's you," I pointed him out, "do you even know what gay means?"

"My mom and dad says it's not right and that they need help." He replied.

"This might be the wrong way to address this, but your parents are wrong."

The principle was about to get up to shut it down, but Lewis stopped her. He said something to her that must've let her at ease. 

"When someone is gay, it means that someone who's the same sex as them. Like my one little brother is gay and that means he likes guys, the way same way that your mom and dad love each other. And there's nothing wrong with that. How would you feel if someone said you could never like you crush ever again?" 

Aubrey raised her hand, "my mommy and daddy don't love each other. Do you think my daddy's gay?"

"He could be."

"Is that's why my mommy hates him."

"I don't think so. I think your parents have things to work out. You could ask you mom to talk to him."

All I wanted to say was "I'm your uncle! Talk to me! I am here to help you! Please." I restrained myself. 

"I just want to see my daddy sometimes. I'm starting to forget what he looks like or if he is even real." 

Shit. 

"Will you talk to my mommy?" 

I looked at the principle, who gave the okay. "Sure."

"I don't mean to butt in, but could I get a new name?" Alex asked.

"Of course! So, cars and ballet. How about Ajax? It's a wild card."

"That's awesome!"

"So, Ajax, do you train in ballet?" 

He nodded, "My mom is a dance instructor. I want you to meet her!" 

"I would love too. Think I could get a discount on classes?" 

All the kids laughed at that. The main reason why I was worried about being an inspirational speaker for kindergarten kids is because I don't treat kids like kids. I see everyone as being mature enough to have an adult conversation. I went on, talking about me and my job and hobbies and listening to the kid's stories. It was nice. They all felt like they could understand what I was saying, I didn't have to dumb down anything. The principle was impressed, inviting me to come back as a motivational speaker for the entire school. She offered to pay, but I refused the money. I said I would do it for free. It was the end of the day. The parents were coming to pick up the kids. I waited outside by the playground, trying not to play in it. 

The boy who said the gay comment came up to me with his parents, who looked pissed, "I told my parents what you said and they wanted to talk to you." The boy seemed scared.

"You can tell your kid whatever you want to tell him, but know, there will be people like me to tell him the truth. You can't just call something gay and not expect backlash. He's a kid, don't rot his brain. If you want to talk about this like adults, then lets do it right here, right now. If you want to fight me, first that's another bad example for these kids and second I'm not fighting on school property."

They dragged their kid and left. I have a feeling I'm going to decked in my face and I am excited for it. I should not me, but I am. Ajax came up with his mom. 

"I treated you like a week ago."

She smiled, "I actually can't remembered my face, you must get a lot of people every day."

I nodded, "I do, but I don't forget anyone. So, where are my free dance lessons?" 

"Free doesn't pay rent. $30 for your first class and then we work out the details after that." 

"Sign me up." I smiled. 

We exchanged information and she left, but Ajax had to give me a hug first, obviously. All the kids where gone except for Aubrey. She was just playing on the monkey bars, waiting for her mom. Lewis was standing next to me. 

"She's always the last one. Her mom is always 'finishing something at work' but every time she comes to pick her up she's in her pjs." 

"You can't just call child services?" I asked.

He shook his head, "Legally, no. There are a lot of laws to follow when being a teacher."

"That's my niece and she has no idea." I replied.

"I had to lie just to meet her." 

She walked up to me with a little smile. Lewis leaned closer to me.

"I've never seen her smile."

"You didn't treat me like a kid."

"They know." Lewis said to himself under his breathe.

She hugged me. I wanna tell her who I am, so badly. Her mom finally showed up. 

"Mommy, this is Haynes. I want him to talk to you." 

"About what?" She seemed hurried and annoyed. 

Aubrey pulled us over to a picnic table and sat us down, "about daddy."

She ran back over to Lewis, scared. Lewis took her back to the classroom. 

"What about Edwin? That no good father."

"What's your name?"

"Kimberly."

"Kimberly, your daughter told me that she is starting to forget what he looks like."

"And? She should."

"Why? What did he do?"

Did he do something he's not telling me?

"I don't have to tell you."

"But you want too." 

She just stared at me. Something seemed off about her. I should add, that I was recording this conversation. 

"I just want Aubrey to be safe. She's a good kid."

Kimberly continued to stare at me with that blank stare. 

"Wait, you're high." I slowly said that realizing that came out of my mouth. 

Shit. 

"How dare you." She seemed less enthusiastic.

"Just tell me what Edwin did," I stated, "I'm his brother I should know!"

SHIT!

"Looks like she's going to child services." I think she was trying to smirk.

She just got up and slowly left. Whatever she took was hitting her hard. 

Lewis walked outside with the principle and Aubrey. 

"I tried, I really did, but she's not going home to her mom or dad." For a genius, I am surely as fucking idiot.

The principle took Aubrey inside to her office while she called child services. Lewis and I went back into his class room. 

"I can't I blew my cover." I said rubbing my face. 

"But at least she's not going home with her mom."

"And what about Edwin? She can't live with him because of me or whatever else he did, if he even did anything. Man today had such a different output." 

"Hey, what was that thing you've been wanting to tell me?" 

"I forgot." I didn't. Just didn't feel right talking about it. 

I had to call Edwin, tell him everything and then go home and pretend like everything is normal.