Chapter Three: A Special Kind Of Stupid
1062 Words
Ezra
I didn’t know Kristen Jackson that well. I had never even heard of her until a few months ago, when my son and her daughter decided to become besties. Since Alexander and Joy were now attached at the hip, I had met Kristen on many occasions, dropping off or picking up kids, and I had greeted her at a few school functions. But we hadn’t shared anything more than small talk.
She was modestly pretty, petite, with dark hair and dark olive skin, and she seemed like a responsible, caring mother. I had trusted her enough to let my son come play at her house on several occasions. But beyond being the mother of my son’s best friend, I didn’t pay too much attention to the woman. She was human, and I had learned my lesson from Alexander’s mother.
Keep your distance from human women.
I had planned to drop Alex off for the birthday party and then come back later to pick him up. But reading the room at that moment, I took his hand and drew him behind me, keeping my body between my boy and the angry adults in the room.
I wasn’t sure why, or how, but I got the feeling that I was the reason they were angry. Did Joy’s father already know who and what I was? Maybe he was one of those bigots who was dead set against the desegregation of species. He had a pregnant woman clinging to his side who seemed bored with the whole thing, while an older woman flew at Kristen with her sharp tongue wagging.
“Is this how you are raising my granddaughter, parading your lovers around for the whole neighborhood to see?”
I looked around, curious to see where this lover was hiding. But I realized I was the only other man present. Did that shrew of a woman in the ugly pink hat think I was Mrs. Jackson’s lover? Clearly there was some misunderstanding.
I felt an odd urge to protect Joy’s mom. Maybe it was because I was so fond of her little girl. I stepped across the room, pulling Alex with me, and took up a defensive position at her side. “Hey, guys, I thought we were here for a kid’s birthday party,” I said gently, but I shot a warning look at Kevin Jackson. “Why don’t we sit down and light the candles on that gorgeous unicorn cake?”
This was his daughter’s celebration. He needed to get a handle on things. Whatever beef he had with his ex, they could handle it later.
Most men tend to get a little fearful when I look them in the eye. Even if they didn’t know who or what I was, they instinctually cowered away from my alpha aura. But apparently Mr. Jackson was a special kind of stupid. His face was turning an impressive shade of red, and he was practically standing on tip-toe to meet my gaze. “What gives you the right to walk into MY house and tell me what to do!”
“Kevin!” Kristen reprimanded her husband sharply. “You do not live in this house anymore, and I’d appreciate it if you would not raise your voice to my guests.”
“Don't you dare speak to my son in that tone!” The old bag in the pink hat screeched.
Kristen pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. “You know what, kids, quick change of plans. We’ll eat cake later. Mr. Falcon, do you think you could take Alex and Joy for an ice cream cone at Roxie’s instead?” She looked at me with pleading green eyes. “Please?”
For a moment, I felt mesmerized by those eyes. How had I never noticed such an unusual color, like jade shot through with gold? But then I recognized the desperation behind her plea. She was trying to get the kids out of the house before things got truly ugly.
“Absolutely. Joy? Let’s go sweetie.” I opened my other palm, and the little girl slipped her little hand into mine. She gave me a sweet, trusting smile, and skipped along at my side as though she was not bothered at all by the raging family drama behind her.
Funny enough, Mr. Jackson didn’t even seem to care that I was taking his daughter out of the house. He was too focused on arguing with Kristen.
We were almost out the front door, when Joy grabbed the door frame. “Wait! We can’t go yet!”
“Why not?”
“Daddy has to sign it!”
She twisted her hand out of mine and ran back into the kitchen.
“Sign what?” I asked myself.
I didn’t expect Alex to have an answer but he looked up at me with his funny, half-toothless grin. “He has to sign the Divorce Declaration so Joy’s Mommy can marry us.”
“The… what?” I saw Joy dance out of the kitchen with a piece of construction paper in hand.
I was starting to get an inkling of why Mr. Jackson was so hostile toward me.
I started back toward the dining room, prepared to clear up whatever mess my son might have instigated, but before I made it through the door, Kristen appeared with a thick envelope in her hand. I stood behind the wall, out of sight. This was a private moment between an apparently unhappily married couple, and it was none of my business. I should have left with Alex. However, something made me stay, just in case things got out of hand.
“I didn’t really want to do this now, Kevin. But it seems like I don’t have any choice.” She handed the envelope to Mr. Jackson. “I’ve had my attorney draw up the divorce papers. Let’s put an end to this, once and for all.”
“A lawyer!” Kevin scoffed. “Can you even afford a lawyer?” He didn’t even open the envelope. He took the packet between his fingers and tore it in half, and threw the pieces back in Kristen’s face. “You were nobody when I found you, Kristen. And by the time I’m finished with you, you’ll be groveling at my feet.”
- Writer
