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After he left the table, I couldn’t get out of there fast enough.
Thank God, Ruby’s temper sent her barreling over Sunday night. If not, I would be breaking the news to her tonight, and not out spending this precious time with my son.
I picked him up after school and met Amber’s husband Gus at the same time. I invited Gus and Alex to come with us, but I was grateful that he declined. He’d be picking up Alex again tomorrow, paving the way for me to spend more time with Jace.
Jace was quiet at first but loosened up when I suggested we grab a bite to eat at the drive-thru and go hit some balls. We spent two hours batting. He was tireless.
Walking out of the batting cages, I caught sight of us walking side-by-side. We both had our hands jammed deep in our pockets, and Jace scanned his environment with a quiet curiosity that reminded me so acutely of George, it hurt my heart.
I swallowed the lump in my throat, then cleared it.
“Your mom told you that I think I’m your dad?” I froze at my use of the word ‘dad’, wondering if he’d deny me.
He glanced at me sideways and answered with a question of his own. “Do you love my mom?”
I answered immediately, my voice firm. “I do.”
“You going to leave her again?” He pushed softly.
I winced. I’d failed so astronomically with them both. “Never.”
Jace nodded and looked to his feet as we made our way to the car. “And if the test comes back and you’re not my dad, then what?”
Taking a chance, I wrapped my hand around the tender nape of his neck. I felt him tense. “If your mom will have me, I’ll still be your dad.”
Turning the corner, I caught one last glimpse of us in the window. To any casual observer, there was nothing earth-shattering about the reflection: a large, stern, bearded man with his hand set affectionately on the back of his child’s neck. The child, young and slight of build, loping along easily beside him. The resemblance between us such that no one would question whether he was my son.
My world, however, had been picked up and shaken. What I knew, was that I’d lay my life down for him in an instant. The dusty glass of the storefront mirrored our first father-son chat, a picture and a promise I would carry with me all the days of my life.
Getting in the car I turned to him and asked, “If we pick up KFC, would Yiayia boil me?”
Jace huffed out a laugh. “Even if you picked up Greek food and brought it home, I think Yiayia would give you a pass.” Suddenly he looked down into his lap, then murmured, “I’ve never seen Yiayia cry before.”
Yesterday, Jace walked in on Ruby comforting Yiayia when she got home from work. The poor lady felt guilty for not doing more, not questioning more.
Squeezing his shoulder, I reassured him, “It’s a difficult and painful situation for everyone, including you and I, but we’ll get through it.” Grasping my wallet out of my pocket, I pulled out a business card. “This is my cell. You call me if you need to talk. Fuck. Call me anytime, for any reason, whatsoever.”
Jace laughed. “I’m not sure Yiayia would excuse an F-bomb!”
I chuckled, relieved to see the smile back on his face. “I’ll keep that in mind. Now, tell me what’s your favourite fast food, and we’ll see how much we can get away with before Yiayia puts a stop to our fun.”
He laughed out loud. My heart clutched at the sound and buried it, striving to stockpile memories for a painfully barren mental photo album that should have been nearly eleven years full.
All the way home, he chattered about the Adventure Club. Another link in the chain proving my paternity. I put a rush on the test results. I prayed I wasn’t wrong.
Jace jumped out of the car as soon as I cut the ignition in the driveway.
Ruby anxiously assessed Jace as he approached her.
I retrieved the chicken from the backseat and loped up to where she and Amber perched on the front step.
I smiled down at Ruby, and her eyes skittered back and forth between Jace and me before allowing me a small smile.
“What did you do?” Amber teased Jace. “Yiayia is going to make you like the onions.”
“No way, Da-Va-” Pink dusted Jace’s cheeks as he caught himself, then he jerked a thumb in my direction with an easy grin. “He’s got a free pass for at least a month.”
Amber laughed and caught hold of Jace’s hand. She kissed it and sent him inside to find Alex. Standing, she offered her cheek for my kiss, took the bucket of chicken from my hands, and opened the front door, smiling. “I’ll see you guys inside.”
