Read Online Derailed by Jackson Neta, Dave Jackson - Free Book Online Page A

the landing where I could see the action below as DaShawn opened the front door. Rodney stood there in the porch light with a few errant snowflakes swirling around. He pulled his head back inside his hoodie in feigned surprise. “Who’s this young man? I’m lookin’ for an old dude by the name of Harry Bentley who’s carin’ for my son, a little kid ’bout so high”—he held his hand out even with his waist—“with an Afro so big he might’a blown away like dandelions on the wind.”
    â€œIt’s
me
.” Suddenly DaShawn assumed a far more mature demeanor. “I ain’t had no Afro for years, Dad. C’mon, you saw me after I got it cut.”
    Rodney opened his arms wide. “I know, son. You’re growin’ up, and I’ve been missin’ out. But I’m here now. Know what I’m sayin’?”
    The hug was quick, and DaShawn pulled away first, talking excitedly about our new house. But the interaction I’d witnessed cut deep. There we were, three generations of Bentleys . . . but I hadn’t been there to be the father Rodney deserved. And now it was Rodney who hadn’t been there for DaShawn.
    Two generations.
    It had to stop. I’d stepped in and done my best with DaShawn, actually considered it an assignment from God. But had it been enough? Was there any way a substitute dad could take the place of a kid’s real father?
    Rodney glanced up at me as he neared the top of the steps. “Thanks, Harry.”
    He looked good, not like someone who’d ridden the bus all day. His hair was neatly trimmed and he sported a pencil-thin mustache that made him look downright dapper. The tiny scar above his right eye was hardly noticeable against his otherwise smooth dark skin. I’d passed on some pretty good genes.
    â€œUh, I know this is a trip,” he said, “especially with you guys movin’ into your new pad an’ all. But anything’s better than Atlanta’s ‘Gray Towers.’ ”
    â€œNo doubt. Come on in.” I ushered him into our unit. “As you can see, nearly everything’s still in boxes, and it’ll be awhile before we get settled. But come on back here. I want you to meet my wife, Estelle.”
    Estelle was still arranging the cupboards, making herself extra busy, though I knew she’d heard us come in.
    â€œEstelle? . . . Estelle, this is Rodney.”
    I don’t know how hard she had to work up to it, but when she turned around, there was the warmest smile on her face I could’ve ever asked for. She reached out her hand. “So this is Rodney. I’m pleased to meet you.” She waved a hand at the kitchen. “Sorry for the mess. We just moved in.”
    â€œNo problem.” Rodney did the look-around. “Yeah. You got yourself some sweet digs here. Everything’s new.”
    â€œHarry, why don’t you get Rodney to help you set up the beds and arrange some of the furniture? I tried to tell everyone where to put stuff, but we’ll be lucky if they even got it in the right rooms.”
    â€œUh, Estelle, Rodney just got in. He probably—”
    â€œNo, no. That’s okay. I’m glad to help.”
    â€œAnd when you guys get done, I think we should go out to eat tonight. I won’t have this kitchen up and runnin’ in time to do any cookin’.”
    â€œYeah, Pops.” DaShawn started jumping up and down like a ten-year-old. “Can we go to Gulliver’s for pizza like we did last time with Dad?”
    The boy was at that age where he was a child one minute and all grown up the next—or at least, thinking he is. I looked at Rodney and raised my eyebrows in question.
    â€œSounds good to me. Haven’t forgotten how awesome that pizza was—how long’s it been? Two years? Bring it on, man. In fact, it’s on me!”
    Rodney said he still had some money when