Chapter Thirteen A Day In The Life Of A Not So Normal Family Part Three (All My Fault) *****AJ’s POV***** March 1st 2003 **8:00am** AJ slowly made his way around the kitchen.  Grabbing his cereal bowel from the cupboard, and the milk from the frig. Today was the day they were all going shopping for the furniture that would be going in the nursery.  He was extremely excited.  They would be buying the first big thing for the baby, and this was a huge mile stone in AJ’s eyes.  A day that he was never going to forget.  Sitting down next to the already opened box of corn flakes he pored himself a bowel. “Save any for me?”  Asked Marshall walking into the room. AJ just smiled and shoveled a spoon full of the flakes into his mouth. “Hailie seems pretty excited about being able to pick out the furniture.  Are you upset that I allowed her to do that?”  Asked Marshall getting himself a bowel. AJ had meant to bring that up last night before bed.  When Marshall had told Hailie she could be in charge of picking out the furniture, it sounded like a great idea at the time.  Getting the big sister involved in the getting ready for baby process was supposed to be a big deal. But he wasn’t so sure if something that big was a good way to do that.  He swallowed what was in his mouth and turned to Marshal.  “Yeah, it’s a good idea Marsh, but are you sure we should trust a seven year olds opinion on furniture?” AJ knew Marshall answered him, but because his head was in the refrigerator he couldn’t make out a word Marshall had just said. “What did you say?” “I said you have a point.” Repeated Marshall once his head was out again.  “Maybe having her pick it out wouldn’t be the best idea.”  AJ was going to tell Marshall that she could help them pick it out, but that it would be just her decision, but he didn’t get the chance before Hailie came bouncing into the room ready for her own breakfast. *****@***** AJ had been looking in the Sunday paper the week before and had spotted an add for this really fancy children’s furniture store in downtown Detroit.  Just from the pictures AJ knew that was where they were getting the baby’s furniture.  So, here he was walking into the most expensive children’s furniture store in Detroit.  AJ felt like a kid on Christmas. Everything in the room was his style.  A little funky but not to extremely crazy either.  Yup, this was defiantly the place to get the Mathers-McLean baby’s furniture. Walking with his hand in Marshall’s they started to look more closely at the different things in the store. “Hailie, come on sweetheart, I thought you wanted to help us pick out the furniture for the baby’s room.”  AJ heard Marshall say. “You are gunna have to tell her sometime, you’re going to break her heart if you don’t.”  Whispered AJ while walking over to a display of furniture. “What do you think of this one Hai?”  He asked. “You have so gota be kidding me.”  Said Hailie looking at the display. Ok so that wasn’t exactly the response AJ had been looking for. Looking back down at black brass crib.  He personally couldn’t see anything wrong with it, but then again Hailie sure had.  ‘Don’t let what she thinks get to you Alex, she’s only seven.’ His mind screamed. Marshall looked at Hailie in shock. She never talked to anybody like that. “Hailie Jade, you don’t talk to him like that.”  Scolded Marshall. “That’s a great crib Alex.  I think we found the one we want.” Hailie glared back.  “You said I get to pick out the crib.” “Well, if you are going to have that attitude then maybe you wont.”  Said Marshall through gritted teeth trying not to make a scene. AJ turned to see Marshall practically yelling at Hailie.  This was something he had never seen before.  Normally Marshall was so understanding of Hailie.  Was that because of him?  Looking back at the crib he sighed.  Was it really good enough to cause the people he loved the most pain? “Marsh, it’s ok, she’s right that crib is a little much.”  Said AJ, trying not to show how much the sacrifice was hurting him. Marshall shook his head.  “No, that crib is great, we are going to take that crib.”  Marshall walked off to go get somebody to help them.  AJ looked at the sad little girl in front of him. “Hai?” *****@***** 12:30pm AJ held Marshall’s hand as the threesome walked down the crowded Detroit streets.  “I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry.”  Said Marshall looking around at the different restaurants that were around them.  “Do you want McDonalds, Alex?” AJ shook his head.  “After last week, I don’t think I could go near a McDonalds again.” Just the thought about eating at McDonalds again was enough to make him feel sick.  Those Chicken McNuggets didn’t not agree with him, and totally ruined his love for Mickey D’s. ‘Oh, well probably better for my heath anyway.’  He thought. Marshall laughed. “Alright so how does Chinese sound?” “Sounds fine to me.”  Yeah, the more he thought about egg rolls and Kung POW chicken, the more his stomach growled. “Come on Hai, we are going to the Chinese place over there.”  Said Marshall pointing to the restaurant. “Daddy, why can’t we have McDonald’s?”  Wined Hailie. AJ got green just thinking about it.  ‘Please Hailie don’t talk about it anymore’ He thought as he willed the contents of his stomach to stay where it belonged. “Because McDonald’s makes papa not feel good.  So we are getting Chinese instead.”  Explained Marshall “But I hate Chinese, it makes me not feel good.”  She continued to whine. AJ watched as Marshall pulled Hailie off to the side of the sidewalk and talked to her about something. He could tell by both of their mannerisms that whatever it was, it wasn’t good.  He didn’t like the thought that the little girl was getting in trouble because of him, but he couldn’t help but not want McDonalds food. *****@***** **3:50pm** AJ could hear Marshall talking with Dre on the phone.  Things weren’t going too great at Shady Records the last few weeks. Things just seemed to be getting worse, and by the tone of Marshall’s voice he knew things weren’t getting better.  Sighing he tried to pay attention to the TV show rather then his fiancé’s phone conversation. “Baby, can you do me a favor?” Asked Marshall. AJ turned to look at Marshall.  “Sure.” “Can you go pick Hailie up for me?  Things are worse at Shady’s then I thought.” AJ got up off he couch.  “Sure, I’ll be back in a few minutes.”  Grabbing his car keys off the coffee table he walked out the door. *****@***** **4:00pm** AJ walked into the gym and looked around.  There were at least fifteen kids between seven and eleven running around the gym.  Finally spotting Hailie talking in the corner with an older boy he walked in their direction. He noticed Hailie saw him and she started walking to him so he stopped in the middle. Once she was close to him he smiled. “Hey there Hai bear, you ready to go home?”  Said AJ happily. “Yeah, I’m ready.”  She said sadly. “Mr. McLean, can I talk to you for a moment?” Called Bret Conners, Hailie’s coach. “I’ll be right back Hailie.”  Said AJ as he walked off with the coach. “Mr. McLean, I’m worried about Hailie.”  Said coach Conners. AJ looked at the man, not sure where this was going.  He knew that Bret Conners had never agreed with his and Marshall’s relationship.  “Why are you worried about her?” Bret sighed.  “I know we haven’t seen eye to eye the last few weeks, but Mr. McLean I’m being honest when I say that I don’t think this soccer team is a place for Hailie.” “If you don’t have anything against me or my sexuality, then I really don’t understand your point Mr. Conners.”  Said AJ getting angry.  Who gave this man the right to put him down? “Mr. McLean, you don’t see what Hailie has to listen to here. Some of the boys like to pick on her because of her family situation.  Personally I think Hailie is a good girl.  Do I approve of the way her father lives his life, no I don’t.  But do you really think that I would kick the little girl off the team if I didn’t think it was for her own good.  I don’t want her to feel she is a bad person, because right now I’m sure that’s how she feels.” AJ sighed and looked back at Hailie’s sad face.  “I will talk to her and Marshall about this.” With that he walked back to where Hailie was sitting on a bench all alone.  ‘Maybe what he said was true, maybe she really is suffering.’  He thought. “What’s wrong papa?”  Asked Hailie. AJ sighed.  “I’ll tell you when we get home ok?” *****@***** **5:00pm** AJ and Hailie walked into the house.  Hailie went right up stairs and AJ headed into the living room where Marshall was sitting. “What’s wrong baby?”  He asked. AJ sighed. He didn’t know how to bring this up.  “Hailie’s coach thinks she should quit the team.” “What the fuck? Why?”  Asked Marshall “He’s seen the other kids picking on her because of…Well because of us.” Marshall sat down on the couch.  “Well, we can tell him to fuck off.” AJ sat down next to Marshall.  “We’ve seen how much Hailie has changed since she’s started the team. She’s been so hostile, maybe it really isn’t good for her to stay.” Marshall sighed.  “She has been acting strange. I never thought it was the soccer team though.” “Either did I, but you have to admit it makes sense.” AJ watched Marshall get up off the couch and walked over to the stairs. “Hailie! Come down here please.”  Yelled Marshall. “What are you going to tell her, Marsh?” “We just have to tell her that she’s not going to be able to go back to soccer again.  Maybe she really wants us to do that anyway.”  Said Marshall walking back over to the couch and sat down, waiting for Hailie. “What’s wrong?” She asked sitting down in a chair across from them. “You aren’t going to be able to go back to soccer.”  Said Marshall.  Hailie looked at her daddy with anger in her eyes.  “What…why?” AJ got up off the couch and walked over to the upset little girl.  “It’s for the best Hai..” Hailie looked at AJ and glared at him.  “This is all your fault.  If you wouldn’t have come into our lives, things would still be normal.”  She yelled before running back up the stairs. AJ got up off the couch and walked into the kitchen.  He wasn’t going to let Marshall see him cry.  He couldn’t let him know how much the little girl could affect him. He didn’t even know Marshall was behind him until he said something. “She didn’t mean it like that, honey.” AJ turned around to face Marshall.  “Oh, I’m sure she did mean it.  I’ve been waiting for this to happen.” Marshall looked at AJ in confusion.  “What do you mean?” AJ sat down on one of the bar stools and turned so he was looking at Marshall.  “She’s jealous, plain and simple.” “What in God’s name does she have to be jealous of?” “Well, let me think.  I come into her life, and all of a sudden she’s having people calling her and her daddy names.  Then she finds out that there is going to be a new baby, which she knows will leave less attention for her.  Then you told her she could pick out the baby furniture, and changed your mind.  I’m sorry but I think that gives her a lot of reason to be jealous.”  Said AJ. “What are we supposed to do about it?  I mean she’s not ready to listen to any of us right now.”  Asked Marshall AJ thought about this for a second. “Why don’t you call that Vanessa girl?  You know the one that’s helping her with her reading and other homework.”  Suggested AJ. “That’s a good idea.”  AJ watched as Marshall walked over to the phone and dial the number. “Yes, can I speak to Vanessa please?”  He heard Marshall say. ‘This is when it would be nice to be able to hear the other end of a phone conversation.’  Thought AJ. “Did you talk to her?” Asked AJ once Marshall hung up the phone. Marshall nodded.  “I sure hope this works.” Ten minutes later there was a knock on the door. “I’ll get it.”  Said Marshall walking to the front door. AJ waited for Marshall to come back into the kitchen after letting Vanessa in, but he didn’t.  So instead AJ walked over to the kitchen sink and began to wash the dishes.  Cleaning things has always made him feel better. “Papa?” AJ turned around in surprise to see Hailie standing there.  He wasn’t sure what to say to the little girl, so he just continued to wash the pan that was in his hand. Hailie walked into the kitchen and climbed into one of the bar stools.  “What ya doing?” AJ smiled.  Having Hailie talk to him was more then he needed.  “I was umm…cleaning.” Hailie giggled.  “I think you’re gunna put a hole in that pot if you scrub it anymore.” “Hey, what’s all the laughing in here about?” AJ watched as Hailie ran to Marshall. “I’m so sorry daddy, I haven’t been a very good girl today.” Marshall hugged the little girl kissing her on the cheek.  “It’s ok baby, I think both of us have some things we need to talk about.” “About soccer?” Marshall sighed.  “That’s one of the things.” “Did my coach say something mean to papa?”  Asked Hailie scared of the answer.  Yeah she didn’t like how her classmates talked about her and her two dads, but she hated the most that the mean words would hurt them. “No, its nothing like that honey.  Coach Conners has seen the way the other kids treat you.  He just thought it would be better if maybe you left the team.” Hailie shook her head.  “I still wana play.  Those kids aren’t mean enough for me to stay away.” Marshall smiled.  “That’s my girl.” AJ was quiet the whole time.  He had a feeling this was one of those father daughter moments that he should mess with.  He was just more then happy to see Hailie and Marshall talking and joking around again.  And it helped that she was happy with him again too.