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I clambered into the seat beside him and settled in; for several minutes, the silence stretched between us before I finally said, “What happened? There’s something different about you.”
He sighed, “Well, I had no intention of discussing my trip this time, but maybe it’s a big part of why my mind has changed.” Aldric ran a hand through his hair with pursed lips as if uncertain where to start.
“I don’t know where you are taking me. “I should probably have asked before I got in the car,” I said with a spark of hindsight, and he laughed. “But we can always wait to talk until we get there.”
“Sure, I’m just taking you to a café, or maybe it’s more of a bistro; I never was quite sure what the difference is. There’s a good one around here,” he murmured, but it was mostly to himself. The silence descended again, and though it seemed amicable enough, I was tense. I could tell Aldric felt some as well since he was fidgeting and glancing around every time we halted at a red light. It was almost like he couldn’t wait to spill everything.
Within fifteen minutes, though it felt much longer considering the mood in the car, we were pulling up into a parking spot by the curb. I walked out onto the sidewalk and stood hesitantly, eying the cafe. This would be the place that would officially define our future relationship, whether we would stay on speaking terms, professional terms, or hell, even if we moved into a romantic relationship.
Soon, Aldric was beside me, held my elbow, and motioned to the small open patio, “We have a lot to discuss, don’t we? Might as well get started and get something good to eat.”
My stomach was flipping between excitement and anxiety as I followed him to a table; it almost felt like I was walking toward the chopping block. This felt odd for a conversation about my son’s origin. Aldric wasn’t showing an inkling of emotion except for a tiny twitch in his hands, perhaps, a sign of nervousness. Was it wrong of me to hope it was? I didn’t want to be the only one scared out of my mind.
I sat at the table with tension drawing my shoulders back, my hand perched delicately on my legs. I felt like I was prepared to dart away at any second. Aldric motioned to the waiter and sat across from me, leaning back and hooking his ankle over his knee. He looked perfectly at home; I noticed his skin looked a little darker and wondered if he’d spent much time in the sun in Greece.
“How was your trip?” I asked, trying to regain some sort of control of the situation. He smiled, though it was a mixture of pain and immense joy. Aldric’s gaze grew far away as if he remembered something vividly.
“I hadn’t been to Greece since I was a little boy. I never went back to visit. My family had a falling out, and such deep scars are hard to mend,” he exhaled sadly. “However, I was called back because of my grandfather; I went to visit him as he was dying.”
I gasped, sympathy echoed in my heart, and my hand reached across the table to rest gently on his. I watched him, my eyes never wavering, and my touch stayed steady, offering him support as he explained his disappearance. He smiled appreciatively, “I wouldn’t say it was unexpected. He was in his late nineties. It was all about old age. I was grateful to have what little time we had. Sadly, I wished I had more time with him, the time when he was more himself. During the week I spent with him, he wasn’t always aware. But I got answers, received acceptance and love I never thought I’d have again, and learned to forgive.”
I shook my head; suddenly, my nervous energy from before seemed silly, “I am so sorry.” He smiled, “I learned I loved Greece even more than I remembered. My memory of it paled in comparison. I had never felt so at home. But that’s not why we are here today.” He frowned. He wasn’t angry or frustrated; he was trying to figure out his words.
I waited, feeling my heart flutter anxiously at the words he held back and swallowing everything that wanted to burst from my mouth. I wanted to ask why he wanted to talk now. I wanted to ask why he had rejected Ciro. Why did he reject me?
“What… why didn’t you respond to the picture I sent? Why did you run? Why didn’t you ever talk to me about the possibility of Ciro being yours?” I asked every word I tried to keep in control, finally breaking past the barrier of my trembling lips, and I closed my eyes in frustration at my impatience.
“His name is Ciro?” he asked with a soft and genuine smile.
Before any more could be said, we were interrupted by the waiter coming to take our orders. I barely felt like I could eat, so I ordered a simple soup of the day with a small side salad. At the same time, Aldric asked for a sandwich, which sounded far too much, even for my normal appetite. I sipped at my water and waited for Aldric to embellish, but he didn’t. He was still smiling as if lost to some happiness he had found in learning Ciro’s name. Had I never truly told him?
“Yes, it seemed to fit,” I said; I didn’t tell him why I decided on the name. “Could you believe he is yours?” Aldric scoffed lightly, but it seemed more directed at himself, “Yes. After seeing the picture, I saw one of myself when I was around his age. The resemblance is uncanny. However, he has your eyes. He is going to be a heartbreaker.”
I smiled and tears came to my eyes, as I choked back a sigh, suddenly a weight I knew had been on my shoulders but hadn’t realized how heavy it had become lifted from me. I felt like I could breathe again after these last few weeks of panic, anxiety, and anger. I looked at Aldric like he’d just opened the doors to learning forgiveness. Perhaps he had.
I shifted my attention as our food was served; I guess it was quick since the ordered items were easily assembled. We fell silent for a bit as Aldric tucked into his sandwich, and I picked at things listlessly, uncertain where this meeting would go next. I glanced at my watch; distinctly aware my time was drifting away.
“I would like to meet Ciro,” Aldric suddenly said.
I nearly choked on the forkful of salad I had been chewing. I coughed a couple of times and chased it with a sip of water, blinking back tears from my eyes. I hadn’t intended for this outcome, to be honest.
“W-why? I had… I didn’t think you’d want to so soon?” I said, avoiding outright telling him no. I need to protect Ciro if things don’t work out.
“He’s my family. I have learned how important that is even more than before,” he thought for a minute, taking a bit of his food to give him a moment to contemplate things, and I allowed him the time to think through his words. “I was once married,” he said. “But she died from early onset Parkinson’s. We were never able to have children; perhaps that was a blessing considering her genetics. I’ve always wanted kids.”
He didn’t avoid my eyes but looked at me head-on, and I knew this was a sensitive subject for him. It seemed today was all about being open. My fingers tightened their grip on my fork, and I watched him with narrowed and suspicious eyes.
“I’m not sure I’m ready to introduce you to him,” I said, my instinctual desire to protect my son and our current lifestyle rearing its head.
“Think about it. I don’t necessarily need to be called his father. I just want to know him and spend time with him. I want you to be more than just a one-night stand. I want to explore what’s between us, and what can become of “us”. I know there is more, and I know you know too. “We’ve been bound together since that first night in more ways than one,” his gaze searched my face as he reached across and gently stroked a finger down the back of my hand.
Part of me wanted to pull back and shut him down. He had no right to upset the world I had created for Ciro and me. Yet, I wanted him in my life, and with me came Ciro, and him showing interest in my son, no, our son, was a good thing. A promising thing.
“I… I will think about it. But I would like to see you more. Outside of the classes and all,” I raised my chin defiantly against my nerves, but even as I did so, I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks.
His eye narrowed, and I suddenly felt my breath catch and the heat smoldering on the other side of that look, especially when he said, “I would enjoy that very much.”
Chapter 19
