CHAPTER NINE
1733 Words
Love Richmond
I haven’t heard from Quin in a while, I was expecting him to have signed the divorce papers by now considering how he never seemed to appreciate our marriage but he hadn’t. Or had he?
“Ruby? Did I get any mail today?” I asked through the intercom.
“No ma’am.” She responded.
“Oh okay, thank you.” I answered.
I guess he really wasn’t planning on signing the papers then but I was looking forward to be a single lady again, divorced, but free from any commitments, especially from a man who didn’t respect the sanctity of our marriage while we were still together and even had a child together.
Wayne has been really understanding with me, not trying to pressure me tom make a decision about the status of our relationship or even try to get me to have s*x with him. I kind of feel guilty though for having to keep him at arm’s length for all that time when he has made it pretty clear how he feels about me.
My boss entered my office, “Sir?” I questioned.
“Hello Richmond, I need you to go on a business trip.” He stated.
“Now?” I inquired in confusion.
“Not really. Tomorrow.” He answered.
“I… I don’t think I can, that’s so last minute and I have a son.” I stuttered.
“This is important. I recently took over another company in Los Angeles and I need you to go there and go over the accounts before I can finalize the deal.” He explained.
“Why can’t you just have the books sent here? Better everything is computerized these days; it should be easy to send over their reports.” I said.
“Unfortunately the owner of the company is old school and most of their work is done on actual papers and files. That’s why you have to personally go there.” He stated.
“I don’t think I can get someone to watch my son while I’m gone. Can you give me time to at least get someone to watch my son?” I asked.
“I’m sorry Richmond but the old geezer is really pushing this deal and I don’t trust him. I’m sorry but it will have to be tomorrow.” He insisted. “The company chopper will take you there.” Ruby walked in, “maybe she could watch your son for you.” He suggested on his way out.
“Why would I be watching your son?” Ruby asked confused.
“Neil is sending me to Los Angeles.” I sighed, “do I have any meetings today?” I asked Ruby.
She had this tablet that she walked around with, she looked through it, “I can’t see anything on your schedule for the rest of the week. I guess the boss cancelled everything for you to go on this business trip.”
I looked at my wrist watch, it was almost two in the afternoon, “do you think you can cover for me so I can slip out and go take care of a few things?” I asked Ruby.
“Sure. There isn’t much to do here anyway.” Ruby said and I immediately started packing my things.
“Thank you so much. I owe you one.” I thanked her as I left the office.
I was thinking of passing by to pick Nick from school but I didn’t want to pull him out of class just because I was going on a trip. I thought I’d at least try and find someone to watch over him, but who? I wondered. Maybe Casey, she has a son, I called her, “hey you.” I said when she picked up.
“I was wondering when you’d call.” Casey said.
“What do you mean?” I inquired, confusion in my voice.
“You don’t get to do that missy.” Casey snapped, “you know what you have done.”
“You have completely lost me.” I replied.
“You have been ignoring us. I literally came to your office to invite you to spend time with us but you chose not to, you’re being a bad friend.” Casey ranted.
I face palmed myself, “I honestly didn’t mean to ignore you. It’s just been a crazy few weeks, Quin came back, he invited himself to our weekend with Wayne and Nick with his new girlfriend, who helped me see that I needed to divorce Quin. I went to give Quin the divorce papers only for me to find him making out with Ursula and he refused to give me a divorce.” I explained away.
“I can’t believe you.” Casey hissed.
“You seem in a really bad mood today.” I stated.
“You have had the most eventful days and I’m only hearing about all this now?” Casey asked as if she was offended. “I’m your best friend, you should have told me all of this days ago.”
“Like I said hectic week.”
“We should meet for a drink then you can tell me all about it. How about tonight?” She suggested.
I sucked my teeth, “actually that won’t be possible.” I said.
“I don’t even know why I try anymore.” Casey sighed.
“I have to go for a business trip tomorrow and I was hoping you’d watch Nick while I’m out of town?” I asked awkwardly.
“I’m not in town either.” Casey stated.
“But you were inviting me for drinks just now.” I exclaimed.
“Because I knew you’d say no. I was just trying my luck anyway.” She replied.
“I’ll ask Clara then.” I sighed.
“Actually, Clara hasn’t been in town for a few months now. Her boss opened a new shop in California and sent her there to oversee everything until it was stable.” Casey explained.
I sighed, “I have to go. I need to find someone to watch Nick before I go tomorrow.”
“Good luck with that.” Casey muttered before she hanged up.
I called everyone I thought would take good care of Nick, I even tried to get a babysitter but with the short notice it was pretty hard to find someone who would help. I took a seat when the door opened, “I would like to have a pet but there are so many to choose from that I don’t know where to start.” I heard Nick’s cute little voice.
“What is the first animal to come to your mind?” I heard Wayne ask him.
Before Nick could answer he saw me, “mom!” He yelled excitedly as he ran to me.
“Hello my baby, I have missed you.” I gushed as I carried him and placed him on the counter, “have you missed mommy?” I asked.
He nodded excitedly.
“I also want to be missed.” Wayne whined as he pouted. Nick and I looked at him, we then burst out laughing. Wayne smiled.
I told Nick to go, change his clothes, he ran of leaving me with Wayne. He was staring at me, it made me feel uncomfortable, “please stop looking at me like that.” I noted as I walked away from him. Granted he followed me.
“Like how?” He asked as though he had no idea what I was talking about.
“You know how.” I responded as I took a seat.
He sat beside me, “something is bothering you and I was hoping talking to me might help.” He offered.
I looked at him then sighed, “okay then. My boss has just told me to go to Los Angeles tomorrow, since I have no idea how long I will be there I was trying to find someone to watch over Nick but I couldn’t find anyone. But I can’t leave him alone but neither can I take him with me. I’m vexed.” I explained.
“That’s simple. You can leave him with me.” He answered casually.
I looked at him shocked, “I couldn’t possible do that. You are a busy man and I wouldn’t want to inconvenience you.” I disagreed.
He chuckled, “I’m offering so you aren’t inconveniencing me.”
“Are you sure? I mean, I don’t know how long I’ll be gone.” I said.
“Jeez mom he already agreed to stay with me so just accept the offer and go on your trip.” Nick blurted out.
“Nick…” I called out, “what did I say about eavesdropping?” I asked.
“I wasn’t eavesdropping; you just didn’t notice me standing here.” Nick said with a shrug. Wayne snickered, I hit him on the arm.
“Now let me make you something to eat.” I was about to stand up when Wayne pulled me back down.
“When I picked him up from school I promised him that I would take him out for some pancakes but he insisted on letting you know first.” Wayne explained, “we were to call you on our way there.”
“Can I join you guys?” I asked with a pout with the best puppy dog eyes I could master.
“Let’s go then.” Nick said as he ran to get his jacket.
Wayne drove us to this shop that looked decent enough but not too fancy. “You can’t eat a lot you still need to have supper, okay young man?” I asked.
“I know mom.” Nick answered excitedly.
As we entered the shop I saw the reflection of Ivy, Quin’s girlfriend, but when I turned around to confirm she wasn’t there. I looked back to where I saw her reflection but she was gone, I was confused, was she following us or was it just a coincidence that we ran into her?
“Are you coming or you want to eat them out there?” Wayne asked.
“I’m coming.” I answered as I looked behind me then I walked into the shop.
- Writer
