Disclaimer: This is an amateur work of fiction, written purely for fun, and is not intended to infringe on any copyrights associated with the television production, "The Sentinel".Et Cetera
by: ysone
~~~Blair sat on the edge of the bed in the darkened room, his hands clasped nervously in his lap, his legs swinging against the side of the bed. The voices from the other room grew louder, and Blair squeezed his eyes tightly shut, as if that action alone would block out the hurtful words.
"Come on, Naomi," a deep male voice said, "you can't let the runt keep you from this. How many opportunities like this do you think you'll get in your lifetime?"
There was a moment of silence, then Blair heard his mom's voice. "I know, Randy, I know. But I can't just leave him."
"Damn it, Naomi," Randy said, his voice rising a notch. There was a long pause and Blair held his breath, wondering what was happening. Blair was afraid of Randy. He didn't really have a reason to be -- Randy had never hit him or even threatened to, but Blair still found himself flinching around the big man.
Randy spoke again, his voice calmer. "Don't you know someone that can watch him for a while? We're only talking about a few months."
No, Blair thought with a small smile of satisfaction, Mom won't do that. She won't leave me. But his hands unconsciously clasped tighter as he waited for her answer.
"Well...there's Clara," Naomi said. "But she's in Dallas. I would have to take him out of school. I can't do that to him again."
"Hell, Naomi, the kid's a freakin' genius. It won't hurt him none to swap schools."
"Randy, Blair likes this school. He's made friends."
"He'll make more," Randy reasoned. "Everybody likes the runt."
Not you, Blair added silently.
"Naomi...baby..." Blair heard Randy's tone drop, and he had to strain to make out the words. "I have no choice. I have to go if I want to keep my job. I want you to go with me, baby. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to tour Paris at someone else's expense."
"Why can't we take Blair with us?"
Blair's heart skipped a beat. Go to Paris? He had read about Paris. He began to allow himself to relax. Maybe things weren't as bad as he had thought. But Randy's next words killed his new found enthusiasm.
"Oh, for God's sake, Naomi! How much fun could a ten year old have in Paris? Not enough to justify the expense."
"No, Randy, Blair's not like most kids. He would love--"
"Damn it, Naomi. Do you realize what it would cost to take the kid? There's no way I can add him to the expense account. I had enough trouble stretching it to cover you." Randy's voice lowered. "Come on, baby. Think how much fun this will be. You...me...the city of romance..."
The silence stretched on. Blair didn't have to use his imagination to know what was happening. He had walked in on it often enough.
It won't make a difference, he told himself. Naomi won't leave me. But even as he thought it, he knew better. It wouldn't be the first time his mom had left him with an 'aunt' or 'uncle' while she had gone off with a boyfriend. Each time she promised it would be the last time, and each time Blair believed her.
The silence coming from the other room stretched on. Finally, Blair got up and made his way through the darkness to the closet. He opened it and found by touch his duffel bag. Again, by touch, he pulled his few belongings from the drawers and stuffed them into the bag. Then, satisfied that he had everything important, he pushed the full duffel under the bed and laid down.
Finally, Naomi, sounding breathless, spoke again. "I'll tell him in the morning."
Blair rolled over and pulled the blanket tighter around him, wiping absently at the single tear that made its way down his cheek.
~~~