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I walked down the road and got into my vehicle.
I’d left the house unlocked in case he came back.
“He’s coming back,” I hissed as I drove out onto the road and headed toward Mom’s place. “He’ll be there when I return.” And I’ll introduce him to our son.
We hadn’t talked about how we’d tell him.
I parked in Mom’s driveway and got out. Asher came barreling out the front door and met me on the brick walkway, latching his little arms around my legs as if it had been ten years since we’d last seen each other.
“Mommy,” he sighed. “Mommy.”
“Hi, kiddo.” I stroked his back and tousled his dark hair so like Gravor’s and smiled at Mom standing on her small front deck.
“Missed you so much,” he said. Backing away, he spread his arms wide. “This much and more.”
“I missed you too.” I took his hand, and he skipped beside me as we went inside Mom’s house. I hadn’t grown up here. She and Dad split when I was thirteen. Dad took off for Europe with his trophy girlfriend and Mom, who made sure she came out well in the divorce, sold the big house I grew up in and bought this much more modest place. She invested the rest of the money and lived quite nicely on the interest.
Dad and his girlfriend broke up, and he opted not to return to the states. I’d visited him around the holidays a few times, but after I turned eighteen, and he’d moved trophy wife number four into his condo, I decided not to bother any longer. Now we exchanged Christmas cards, and that was good enough for me.
Inside Mom’s house, I started gathering up Asher’s things. “I can’t stay long,” I told my mother. Asher hopped up onto the sofa and started playing with his tablet. “Help me out, buddy. Go to your room and make sure we’ve got your stuffy and blankie.” We kept spare clothing here that Mom washed and put away for his next visit, but there were some things he couldn’t live without, so we trucked them back and forth each time.
He continued playing with his tablet, the perky tune of the word game grating down my spine.
Had Gravor returned? What had he thought when he found me gone?
“No rush,” Mom said with a smile. “I’d love to visit a bit. I’ll put on water for tea. I made some chocolate chip—”
“I can’t stay. Sorry.” I stuffed the rest of Asher’s favorite toys into the tote we used to transport them. “I’ve . . . got a guest.”
I hoped I had a guest. Well, Asher’s dad wasn’t a true guest in the way the word was intended. He was basically family.
Who I’d just had vibrator sex with.
I raked my fingers through my hair. “Asher!”
He looked up, concern knitting his face.
Mom placed a hand on my shoulder. “Is everything okay?”
“Fine.” I puffed out air, sending my overgrown bangs flying. “I’m sorry I yelled, sweetie.”
His frown remained, but he went back to his game.
“Tough time at work?” Mom asked.
“Yeah.” Before I snapped again, something I’d deeply regret, I dropped his tote bag and walked into the kitchen, slumping in a chair at the small table.
Mom bustled into the room behind me, putting the kettle on and getting out two mugs for tea. “Caffeine or no?”
“I don’t think I need to be charged up any more than I currently am.”
While the water percolated, she sank into the chair opposite mine. Taking my hand lying on the table, she squeezed it. “What’s up? You’re not one to get . . .”
“Cranky?” I smiled, but I was sure it came out shaky.
“You do seem tense. Is there anything I can do to help?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t sleep well.”
