The Teenage Exchange
Copyright© 2026 by TMax
Chapter 3: Two Many
A local musician rearranged a classical music song into a cool rap song. With former son’s favorite song in the background, something about a Pacman’s cannon in d. The new daughter spent every day humming that stupid song. And worse, the mother began to hum along with her. Even the radio played the song constantly. The father couldn’t get away from it.
The son’s school decided to do another concert, this time with the local musician, who would perform, so of course the family had to attend. Packed and crowded, the whole neighborhood came out for it. The organizers rented the stadium to hold everyone. And the former son, with his new parents, and the rapper, greeted people as they entered.
Like super awkward, and while their gazes met, the former parents couldn’t go over and see their former son. Of course, the new daughter needed the rapper’s and the former son’s autographs. Stupid teenage girls. It felt like a betrayal. And the new daughter and former son talked. Too much, too long, such that the former parents left for their seats.
The inside smelled horrible, like sweat and candy, and everyone talked too loud. The father sat hunched, chin in hands, elbows on knees, and wished he had stayed home and watched a movie. Ordered a pizza or something.
Lights dimmed, people hushed, and the rapper introduced the orchestra, with the former son as the centerpiece. Somehow, the former son found his former parents in the stadium, and he stared at them. Wide-eyed. Off to the right, his new parents clapped.
And then, as the music started, the former son, with his gaze on his former parents, and with the former parents’ eyes wet from the bright lights, stood up and ran from the stage. Straight to his new parents, who grabbed him, yelled at him, and screamed so loud that the former parents could hear their swear words over the murmur of the crowd.