Eight:
1053 Words
Grace's POV.
Seven Years Later.
"Are you sure you don't want me to tag along? You know, for moral support..."
I smiled in spite of myself and even though Meghan couldn't see me from her spot in the door.
"I'm sure... for the upteenth time, Meg. I'm just going to pay my respects and say my goodbyes. I'll be back before you even know that I'm gone."
I heard her sigh and could almost see her shoulders slumping in disappointment.
"Besides, you promised to look after Tate for me..."
"Well, why don't we just bring the little guy along? Your mom would love to see him again."
I zipped up my overnight bag and turned around to face my best friend and roommate. She had a hopeful smile on her pretty, doll-like face.
"No. Like I said, I don't want to confuse things for him by taking him with me. It's better that he stays with his favorite aunty."
Meghan crossed her arms and gave me a knowing look.
"Hmm... you don't want to confuse things for Tate or for yourself?"
I turned away from her again and busied myself with packing my vanity just to avoid the look in her eyes.
"Fine. Maybe I also don't want to confuse things for myself... Can you blame me? Rhyder has no idea that Tate exists and my father's funeral definitely isn't the place for him to find out. My mom can see him when she visits later this month."
"Oh, all right then."
Meghan finally conceded with an exaggerated sigh.
"But you know that you'll have to tell Rhyder about his son eventually. He deserves to know. And Tate deserves to know his father."
I rounded on her again. It was my turn to cross my arms over my chest.
"I don't know that that's a thing that I know. And besides, whose side are you on anyway?"
She smiled at me.
"Yours. Always yours. But you know that I'm always the voice of reason - it's one of the reasons you love me so much."
"It's fast becoming the reason I'm loving you a little less."
I teased, winking at her.
She narrowed her eyes and stuck out her tongue.
"But in all seriousness, Meg. You know what he did to me - how much he hurt me. I don't trust him. He broke my heart."
"I know."
"And he chose Alexis over me. What if he chooses their child over ours as well? I just can't take that chance. I won't allow him to hurt Tate the way that he hurt me."
"I know. And you know that I think you're a great mom for protecting your baby like that... but still..."
"But nothing, Meg. It's been seven years and Rhyder hasn't tried to reach out - not a single call, not even one lousy letter to appologize. It's clear that he doesn't care and that he's moved on. I've done the same. There's no point in talking about it."
Meghan gave me a look that said: if you say so, and opened her mouth to argue the matter some more.
But I raised my hand and silenced her with a look.
"No point, Meghan. Please?"
She shrugged and let it go.
"I just want to say goodbye to my father and put this entire thing behind me. I don't want to stay there a second longer than I have to - I don't even know if I'll be able to face seeing the two of them together again."
"Of course you will, G. You're a lot stronger than you give yourself credit for."
She smiled at me.
I smiled back, feeling grateful that I had a friend like her - someone that I could trust no matter what. Someone that always had my back.
A second later, Tate came bounding through the door. His big blue eyes bright with joy and his thick black curls bouncing wildly on top of his little head.
"Aunty Meg," he whined hopelessly, "I've been hiding for forever. You were supposed to come find me."
Meghan looked guilty as hell. She clearly forgot that they were playing Hide and go Seek... again.
I had to stifle my laugh.
"Ah... schucks, buddy."
Tate crossed his arms and pouted.
"You forgot again. Didn't you? You always do."
I couldn't hold it in any longer and burst out laughing.
They both looked at me with wide eyes.
"No, I didn't. You're just so good at hiding that I can never find you."
He looked at her suspiciously.
"Really?"
"Really," she promised, "in fact, I was just in here asking your mom to help me look."
He turned his suspicious gaze toward me.
"Really?"
Meghan gave me an imploring look.
I shrugged and laughed some more.
"Really, really."
I promised my little boy, scooped him up in my arms and kissed him all over his plump little face.
He giggled as he faught to get away.
"Stop it, mommy. That's too many kisses."
"It... will... never... be... enough."
I argued between kisses.
He struggled some more and I finally set him down. His face was flushed with joy.
"I have to go now, Tate. But I'll be back home before you go to bed tomorrow night."
He looked disappointed.
"Promise?"
"I double promise."
He only half smiled.
"Can I go with you next time?"
I shared a nervous look with Meghan.
"Maybe. We'll see. Now, promise me that you'll be a good boy for your aunty Meg?"
"I promise, mommy."
"Good."
I picked him up again and hugged him tight.
"I love you, Tate."
"I love you more, mommy."
"I love you most, baby."
I gave him another quick hug before setting him down and grabbed my bags.
They walked me to the front door. Meghan gave me a hug before I stepped out.
"Drive safe. And good luck."
"Thanks. And thank you for looking after him."
I glanced over at Tate, who was already happily drawing on the carpet in front of the TV.
Meghan nodded her head.
"See you again tomorrow."
"See you, G."
I closed the car door but just sat there for a few seconds, my hand refusing to turn the key.
I knew what I had to do. I just didn't know if I could.
- Writer
