My Son Step Dad

4. Ace’s reason

"Chelly's POV"

I saw someone entering from our house backyard door, causing me to snap back from my thoughts. There was enough distance, making it difficult to identify the person in the darkness. The only light in our backyard was on top of me near, this table.

When that person paced nearer to me, I recognized the familiar face of Ace.

What was he doing here at this time? Eric fell asleep long ago. Even Ace would know  Eric must've slept by now. Then why was he here?

Reducing the distance, he walked towards the table; where I was sitting. Ceasing his steps, he stood in front of me and crossed his both arms around his chest; hugging himself.

"I wanted to talk to you regarding Eric," he blurted, causing my eyes to almost jump out of its socket due to the shock I got.

How did he know I wanted to talk about the matter? Did he know?

He cleared his throat before continuing, "I know you will have lots of doubts about me. So, I am here to clear that out," he spoke in a low voice. Addressing lots of respect while wearing a smile.

Was he a mind reader or something? How did he know that I eagerly wanted to talk regarding Eric?

"I won't deny the fact, I am curious to know why you are so fond of my son," I snapped with a fake smile, addressing Eric as my property to remind him. However, I didn't want to sound rude.

"Every parent will have concerns. Will have doubts. Why a stranger walks in and got her son's attraction and all attention," I spoke, while wearing a frown of confusion on my face.

"I had a son. Almost Eric's age," he started. I couldn't figure out why he was telling me all that.

Maybe because he wanted my son? Gosh, was he trying to take my son from me? And give me money instead of it? I was trying my best not to cry; not to freak out and let him continue.

I kept biting my lower lip anxiously. I couldn't imagine my life without Eric. He was all that I had. He was the reason why I was bearing all the sorrows inside of me.

After a long weary sigh, he added, "my wife was from Ireland. When my son, Mike got his school vacations, they both flew to Ireland." He scratched his perfectly combed hair with the tip of his fingers.

"I couldn't accompany them, as I had to deal with a sales crisis," his voice became even lower as he added, "they weren't lucky enough to reach there."

With heavier breathing, he continued to disclose more, "the plane from which they both were... it... crashed..." he gulped audibly as he tried to control over the tears which kept forming inside his eyes. Even though he found it strenuous to talk about, he kept trying.

After inhaling a lung full of air, he continued, "I lost both, my son and my wife.." I saw tears gathered in his eyes.

I could only imagine how despondent he would feel, as he lost both of them. I lost my husband, but I was thankful that I got my son.

A man whom I thought had everything, actually lost his most valuable things in a plane crash.

My vision started to get blurred, due to the formation of tears. I blinked it away before it could start to fall.

"I never shared this with anyone. Only my family members know about it. I never got the courage to talk about it, because it...." he sighed and was breathing heavily. Trying his best to hide the dejection in his voice.

Soon the tears collected in his eyes betrayed him, causing him to lose control over it and finally, to fall.

I felt glum to witness his dismal mood. I could sense how hard it would be to talk about the most painful incidents of our lives. It causes us to remember it and the wounds get fresh.

"I am so sorry about your loss, Ace. I didn't mean to... It's okay if you don't feel like sharing it, you don't have to,” nodding my head in assurance, I spoke in a soft voice.

Turning around to hide his tears, he continued with all the efforts he had, "it was very hard for me to accept the fact that they were gone" he gulped and got ceased for a moment.

"When I saw Eric for the first time, it felt like I found my son. They both look alike. Behavior, his redhead, deep brown eyes, and many... I never missed my son whenever I'm with Eric" after wiping the tears on his face, he turned around.

Seeing his red eyes, I felt more guilty as I kept suspecting him since the very first day. Suddenly, I felt repentant.

Our gazes met. I could see the sincerity in his gray eyes.

"It's the reason why I never left this city since I met Eric. But, today I got a call from my work and I need to go there as soon as possible," he said and withdrew his gaze from mine.

While directing his sight at the darkness surrounded us, he added, "Sadly, I won't be able to wave a goodbye to Eric." he again turned around. Maybe he was crying again?

"If you permit me to come back. Once I am done with the works currently pending, I will come," he turned around and gave me a questioning look as he was waiting for my answer.

In literal words, I didn't like him to spend more time with my son. What if Eric stops loving me? It was something I feel fear; I get scared about it.

Nah, Chelly. Stop being so selfish. Knowing how much Eric misses his dad and how much Eric loves Ace, stop getting between them.

And tonight, it was clear that Ace loves Eric as his own child. He sees his son in Eric. In my son. I should literally be the happiest person.

"Yeah.....I mean.....you are always welcome." I gave him an assuring smile while nodding in approval. He returned the smile and left.

How calm and understanding of a man he was? He was well mannered. And loves my son unconditionally. Why would I ban him from coming to my son?

******

I was busy in the kitchen and Eric was sleeping. Suddenly, I heard David calling me, “Chelly... Chelly...”

His voice was filled with freight which forced me to leave the works which I was doing and follow the sound.

The next moment, as I peeked out of the house, I saw someone trying to stab David. I ran towards him.

“Chelly, help me. He will kill me,” he shouted for help, but I couldn’t reach as suddenly the whole surroundings became dark; full black.

“This world is cruel, trust no one,” even though I couldn’t see anything, I heard David whispering in my ears.

“Mommy, it’s morning,” Hearing Eric’s voice, I learned I was sleeping and what I just now saw was a nightmare.

I was panting while my neck and face were covered in sweat. It wasn’t usual for me to get nightmares, so it took me a while to console myself not to believe in whatever I had seen.

But why was I feeling like it had something relating to David as if he was trying to tell me something of which I wasn’t aware of?

“Mommy, where’s uncle Ace?” Eric asked as Ace usually visited here in the mornings.

Even though I informed Eric about Ace’s whereabouts, he kept asking about Ace, as he was anxious to see; meet him. Ace had always managed to bring joy to Eric's mood.

I kept trying my best to calm my son down. He was refusing to have his breakfast. I tried many ways to convince him but was of no use.

When an uncountable amount of effort got in vain, I finally, decided to call Ace. Before Ace left last night, he gave me his number by saying, if ever Eric asks about him, do call.

After he talked to Ace, through the phone, his mood got better, and finally was ready to take his breakfast. Observing the bond both of them shared, I sighed with intense jealousy.

The days passed by, but Eric never stopped talking about Ace. Seeing him this attached to Ace made me feel as if he got his dad back. Even Ace made sure Eric was happy.

Should I get jealous or feel blessed? In actuality, I was stuck in between both the emotions. A part of me was feeling blessed to see Eric getting closer to Ace day by day, while the other part of me kept warning me not to trust any.

************

It was raining heavily outside. I was sitting near the table placed amid the living room.

I was helping Eric to do his homework when suddenly with a strong blow of wind, the windows got opened, causing both of us to elevate our heads as rain began spraying inside the house.

Running, I went towards the window to close it. It’s when my eyes fell on the familiar fa be of Ace, who was talking to dad. Both of them were in the rain with no protection from the dripping water.

Leaning outside the window, I tried to listen to their conversation.

“So you are ready to sign it?” Dad asked while his clothes were soaking in rain.

“Yes, but I don’t think she is ready for the deal. Will she be ok to sell h...,” Ace trailed off as dad hushed him when his eyes fell on me.

Pretending I wasn’t listening to them, I closed the window and headed back to where Eric was sitting.

I still couldn’t figure out why they stopped seeing me? What were they trying to sell? Something illegal? Was it relating to me?

Whatever it was, I would surely find it out. I couldn’t understand why I felt like they were talking about something relating to me.