Chapter 4 Family Warmth

Ferren Jordan was Fox's father. A man with no special traits, approaching middle age, showing some gray hair, and looking a bit tired after work. He held a bottle of beer, sitting on the couch to rest. Fox sat beside him, and they chatted. Though studying was important, spending time with family was equally crucial. Fox had decided that no matter how busy or tired he was in the future, he would always make time for his family. Their conversation was just casual talk, with his dad’s attention focused on the baseball game on TV. His mom, Faye, was bustling in the kitchen, muttering about the silly things his dad had done. “Ferren, did you hear me?” “Yes, dear. Next time, for sure.” As they chatted, Fox felt a warm feeling in his heart. They were ordinary parents, without any distinctive traits, but they poured all their love into Fox. “Ferren, come here! The drain is broken again!” Mom called out for help. “Coming, coming,” Dad replied, reluctantly setting down his beer and tearing his eyes away from the TV. “Let me handle it, Dad,” Fox said, standing up and heading to the kitchen. Dad stayed seated, surprised by Fox’s initiative. He wondered if Fox needed some allowance, guessing it might be because of a new girlfriend. Ferren thought he should give Fox some extra pocket money. “Fox? What are you doing? Go back and study. This isn’t something you can handle,” Mom said, more gently than she spoke to Dad. She picked a fruit and popped it into Fox’s mouth. “It’s just a drain. I can handle it, don’t worry.” Fox, munching on the sweet fruit, mumbled his response. It was a minor issue, and Fox quickly fixed it. “Well done, my dear,” Mom said, kissing his cheek. “Hey, that’s not fair. Why don’t you kiss me when I fix things?” Dad joked from the kitchen door. “Look at your belly, old man. Lose some weight, and I’ll kiss you every day,” Mom teased, patting his stomach. Their family interactions were like this. Soon, dinner was ready. Burgers and plenty of salad were served. It had been a while since Fox had tasted his mom’s cooking, and he almost cried. After dinner, he planned to review what he had learned that day. “Hey, Fox, you did well today. Take this,” Dad said, handing him some money. “Remember, study hard but also enjoy your life. I support you. You’ve got my good looks, so charm that girl!” “Need any tips?” Dad patted his shoulder. Fox pocketed the money. “Don’t worry, I won’t disappoint you this time,” Fox said, feeling more determined. “Hey, guess what, I’ve never been disappointed in you. You’re always my pride,” Ferren said, leaving Fox with an emotional message before walking away. Fox reviewed his notes, solidifying his understanding of the material. He even started on new topics without realizing how late it was. Lying in bed, he looked at his hands. Everything felt so real, he was scared to sleep, fearing he’d wake up on the streets, without his family’s love, just a homeless man. “Get into a good college, then make money.” People often said three places could change a person: the army, college, and prison. Having been in prison, Fox had met people and learned things. He had gained unique experiences. He knew he had to go to college. To make big money, he needed a team. College was full of talents, perfect for building a team. Thinking about his future plans, he drifted off to sleep. When he woke up, Faye was making breakfast, and Ferren was still snoring away. Fox stretched and went for a morning run, having decided he needed to get fit. Sweaty from the run, he showered and enjoyed breakfast. The family left the house together. Dad drove a second-hand car with Mom to work. Fox pedaled his bike to school. On the way, he saw Peterson, head down, engrossed in a game console. Fox slowed down, patted his shoulder, and said, “Hey.” “OMG, I died because of you!” Peterson jumped, his game character dying. Fox got off his bike; they were close to school now, so he walked alongside Peterson, pushing his bike. “Bro, give me a ride?” Peterson pointed to the bike seat. “No way, only girls. No guys allowed,” Fox joked, a pretty girl’s face flashing in his mind. He wondered if he’d see her again. Jennifer Dawn, the name felt familiar, but he couldn’t place it. “Peterson, do you know Jennifer Dawn?” Fox asked as they walked. “You don’t know her?” Peterson raised an eyebrow. He obviously knew who she was. “She’s the school genius. She’s in our class.” “She’s already been accepted by MIT.” Peterson said as they reached the school gate. Fox was stunned, realizing how remarkable she was. “Wait, she’s the ‘shadow person’?” He remembered now. There was always an empty seat in the classroom, which was Jennifer Dawn’s. Since she was rarely there, everyone called her the “shadow person.” “Yeah, she’s already preparing for college courses.” “No need to stay in class, she might not even come to school anymore.” “She’s just waiting to go to MIT.” Peterson shrugged. “She’s not in the same world as us.” Fox didn’t agree. MIT? Fox’s mind began to dream.