Winchester Heights

Chapter 4 - Tensions Rise

Robyn slammed the door shut behind her as she walked into their small apartment, her frustration bubbling just beneath the surface. “Tommy, go wash your hands! Snack time!” she called out, forcing a smile as she tried to shake off the anger that had been building since she left the rink.

“Okay, Mom!” Tommy’s cheerful voice came from his room, and the sound tugged at her heartstrings. She took a deep breath, reminding herself to keep it together for his sake. He didn’t deserve to see her upset, especially not over his father’s repeated failures.

As she moved into the kitchen, her mind raced. Greg, the rude hockey player she had bumped into earlier, was now one of Tommy’s coaches. The thought made her stomach churn. Why did she have to be ridiculously attracted to him? Her life was already complicated enough without adding her fascination for a man who seemed to embody everything she found infuriating.

But despite her irritation, she couldn’t help but feel grateful for how well Greg had looked out for Tommy that evening. He had taken the time to engage with her son, making him feel special and valued. That thought softened her anger just a bit, but it didn’t erase the frustration she felt toward Tommy’s father.

Tommy scampered into the kitchen, now clad in his favorite pajamas adorned with cartoon superheroes. “What’s for snack, Mom?” he asked, his face lighting up with excitement.

“Your favorite—peanut butter and banana on toast!” Robyn replied, quickly preparing the snack while keeping her mind focused on the task at hand.

Once she set the plate down, she took a moment to gather her thoughts. “Hey, buddy, why don’t you eat your snack while I make a quick call?”

“Okay!” Tommy chirped, diving into his snack with gusto.

Robyn stepped into the living room, her heart pounding as she dialed Tommy’s father’s number. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for the conversation. When he picked up, his voice was casual, almost dismissive.

“Hey, Robyn. What’s up?”

“Why didn’t you pick up Tommy this evening?” she asked, trying to keep her tone steady despite the anger simmering beneath the surface.

“Uh, I had a work meeting come up last minute,” he replied, the excuse sounding flimsy even as he said it.

Robyn could hear laughter in the background, the unmistakable voice of the woman he had cheated on her with. Her stomach twisted in knots. “Really? A meeting? You know he was waiting for you, right? This isn’t the first time you’ve done this.”

“Look, I’m sorry. It just happened,” he said, his tone defensive. “What do you want me to say?”

“What am I supposed to tell Tommy?” she pressed, her voice rising slightly. “He was really looking forward to seeing you.”

“I’ll pick him up in the morning,” he replied, his tone dismissive. “It’s Saturday, so I’ll have him for the day.”

Robyn felt a rush of frustration. “Fine. Just… try to be on time for once. He deserves better than this.”

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll see you in the morning,” he said before hanging up.

Robyn exhaled sharply, feeling the weight of the conversation settle heavily on her shoulders. She returned to the kitchen, where Tommy was finishing his snack, blissfully unaware of the tension that had just unfolded.

“Everything okay, Mom?” he asked, looking up at her with innocent eyes.

“Yep! Just a little chat with your dad,” she replied, forcing a smile. “How’s that toast?”

“Yummy!” he exclaimed, crumbs flying as he grinned.

Robyn couldn’t help but smile back at him. “Good! Now, after you finish, it’s bath time, and then we’ll read your favorite story before bed.”

“Yay!” Tommy cheered, his excitement infectious.

As he finished his snack, Robyn leaned against the counter, her mind racing. She couldn’t shake the thought of Greg and how he had treated Tommy. He was infuriating yet somehow intriguing, and the way he interacted with her son had stirred something within her—a mix of admiration and attraction that she wasn’t ready to confront.

But she had to keep her focus. Her priority was Tommy, and she couldn’t afford to let any distractions cloud her judgment. As she watched her son’s joy, she reminded herself that she needed to be strong for him, no matter how complicated her feelings had become.

“Alright, buddy! Time for your bath!” she called, shaking off her thoughts as she guided him toward the bathroom. But even as she helped him wash up, her mind wandered back to Greg, and she couldn’t help but wonder what the future held for them all.

The morning sun streamed through the kitchen window, casting a warm glow over the small apartment. Robyn was bustling around, preparing breakfast for Tommy, who was buzzing with excitement about spending the day with his dad. Despite her own mixed feelings, she tried to keep the atmosphere light and cheerful.

“Are you ready for your adventure today?” she asked, flipping pancakes on the griddle.

“Yeah! I can’t wait to show Dad my new hockey skills!” Tommy exclaimed, practically bouncing in his seat.

Robyn smiled, but a knot of anxiety twisted in her stomach. She hoped today would go smoothly, but she couldn’t shake the memory of last night’s conversation with Tommy’s father.

Just as she set the last pancake on the plate, the doorbell rang. Tommy rushed to answer it, and Robyn’s heart sank as she recognised the voice of her ex.

“Hey, buddy!” he called out, his tone overly cheerful. “Ready to have some fun?”

Robyn stepped into the living room, trying to maintain her composure. When she saw him, her frustration bubbled to the surface. He stood there, acting as if nothing had happened the night before—no apologies, no acknowledgment of leaving Tommy waiting at the rink.

“Morning, Robyn,” he said with a cocky grin, his confidence irritating her to no end.

“Morning,” she replied curtly, crossing her arms. “You’re on time today.”

“Yeah, well, I’m here now, right?” he shot back, his tone dismissive.

Robyn took a deep breath, trying to keep her voice steady. “Why can’t you just be present for your own child? He deserves better than this.”

His expression shifted, and for a moment, she saw a flicker of irritation in his eyes. “What’s your problem? I’m here now, aren’t I?”

Before she could respond, he stepped closer, pushing her back against the wall with a suddenness that took her by surprise. “You think you can tell me what to do? I can do whatever I want, and I will,” he sneered, his face inches from hers.

Robyn’s heart raced, both from fear and anger. “Get off me,” she said, her voice low but firm.

Just then, Tommy appeared from his room, clutching his bag and wearing a bright smile. “Dad! I’m ready!”

The moment Tommy’s voice broke the tension, her ex released Robyn as if nothing had happened, turning his attention to their son. “Awesome! Let’s hit the road, champ.”

Robyn felt a rush of relief as he stepped back, but the anger still simmered within her. She watched as Tommy bounded toward his father, oblivious to the confrontation that had just unfolded.

“Have a great day, buddy!” she called out, forcing a smile even though her heart was heavy.

“Bye, Mom! I’ll tell you all about it later!” Tommy shouted, waving enthusiastically as he left with his dad.

As the door closed behind them, Robyn leaned against the wall, her breath coming in short bursts. The encounter had left her reeling, a mix of anger and helplessness swirling inside her. How could he act so nonchalant after leaving Tommy waiting?

She knew she needed to stay strong for her son, but the frustration was overwhelming. It wasn’t just about Tommy’s father being absent; it was about his arrogance, his refusal to take responsibility.

Robyn took a moment to collect herself, pushing back the tears that threatened to spill over. She couldn’t let him see her weakness; she had to be the stable one for Tommy.

As she moved back into the kitchen, she grabbed her phone and sent a quick message to Coach Thompson, asking if he could keep an eye on Tommy during practice. She needed to know he was in good hands, especially after the morning’s events.

With a deep breath, Robyn tried to shake off the negativity. She had a busy day ahead, and she couldn’t afford to dwell on her ex’s behavior. Instead, she focused on Tommy, reminding herself that he was her priority.

But as she prepared for the day, her mind kept drifting back to Greg. Despite the chaos, she found herself thinking about him—the way he had treated Tommy with kindness and respect. It was a stark contrast to the way her ex had acted, and it only made her more frustrated with her own feelings.

“Focus, Robyn,” she muttered to herself. “You have enough on your plate without adding complications.”

Yet, as she cleaned up the kitchen, she couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to have someone like Greg in her life—someone who genuinely cared. But for now, she had to keep her eyes on the road ahead, navigating the challenges of motherhood and trying to find her own footing in a world that felt increasingly complicated.