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“No.” She shook her head. “That’s just how people like you and I are made. The world makes us jaded. I’ll get out of your hair. I just wanted to introduce myself and warn you about what would happen if you ever hurt my girl. Hopefully the message was received.”
“It has been, and don’t worry. I won’t hurt her.”
“Thank you, Damian.”
I nodded once.
She turned and began walking away but looked over her shoulder. “You’re a good man, Damian. Like your father.”
I grimaced. “You don’t know me.”
She smiled. “But I knew your father.”
“He didn’t raise me.”
“Yes, but if he had known about your existence, he would’ve loved to be your father. Being a parent was all he ever wanted. I hate that he missed that opportunity with you.”
“What do you mean by he didn’t know about me?”
“Just prior to his passing, he found out about your existence. He had no clue you were in this world until the news was brought to him.”
A knot formed in my gut. I spent most of my life hating my father, thinking he’d abandoned me. I spent my teenage years trying to track him down simply so I could tell him to piss off. Then within one breath, I was told that he hadn’t even known about my existence. I didn’t know how to process that information.
“Damian, I think it’s important for you to know that Kevin would’ve wanted you. He would’ve been in your world day in and day out if he had the opportunity.”
I cleared my throat. “You said you were like me. A pessimist and cold.”
“Yes.”
“But then you do and say things that are the opposite.”
“Ah, yes. I know. I see myself slipping into my softer side sometimes. It’s the Stella effect. Spend enough time around her, and she’ll get to you, too.”
She left the house, and my chest still felt heavy. My heart was beating at an insane rate, and the palms of my hands were sweaty.
“Maple,” I called out, finding myself standing on the front porch, looking out toward her as she climbed into her car. She paused and looked my way, waiting for me to continue. “I won’t hurt her,” I repeated, speaking about Stella. “You have my word.”
“I feel like your word is important to you.”
“It is.”
“Then thank you for giving it to me.” She smiled Stella’s smile. Even though they weren’t related by blood, I saw the similarities. “I believe you. Protect her, too, okay? If she needs it?”
I didn’t know why, but I promised I would.
Later that afternoon, Stella returned home, and somehow the space didn’t appear so dark anymore. I was in the kitchen cooking dinner, and she walked in with a bag filled with fresh vegetables and fruits.
“Oh, hi there,” she said, seemingly surprised to see me.
“Hello.”
“It smells delicious in here,” she mentioned as she began to unload her groceries. “Pasta?”
“Yes.”
Her stomach rumbled, and she chuckled a little. “And here I am with a pack of ramen noodles for dinner.”
“Maple,” I said.
