Reencounter
1079 Words
Monday morning.
Asher woke up more excited than I thought. I thought that, not getting along with Tina, he would wake up in a bad mood, maybe, but he's very excited.
"Are we taking soda?"
"No, you already drank soda yesterday."
"Just a little, please."
"No, no, and no," I say as I take out the three cans of Coca-Cola that Asher had put in our small picnic basket.
The little black-haired boy pouts, but ends up understanding and puts them back in the fridge. Once he has put them back in place, Asher looks at me.
"What park are we going to?"
"The one nearby."
Today, early in the morning, Maximiliano had called me to ask about the park we would be attending. I explained that Asher loved going to the park in our neighborhood and that he only feels happy when we go there, so he thought it would be a good idea for us to go there.
"Is it because it's my favorite park?"
"Yes, I thought you would like to show Tina your favorite place."
Asher smiles. "Alright. And I'll also show her my favorite game."
I pat his head affectionately and then give him a gentle kiss on the forehead. I step away from him and take the basket. Asher understands that it's time to go, so he rushes to put on his shoes.
We both head towards the elevator. The journey is short, as I live on the third floor. I take Asher's hand and lead him to the park, which is only two blocks from our building. Before arriving, I meet Lily's mother, Andrea.
"Victoria, good to see you. I wanted to talk to you about something I found out yesterday when I went to the city."
"Really?" Andrea and I share the same fear of leaving our children alone being so young in a nursery far from us, so we have both been taking our children to work, although that has to change now.
Asher, not interested in the conversation at all, ends up letting go of my hand and running towards the park. We are so close that I let him go. From here I can see the entrance to the park and there is no need to cross streets, so there is no problem.
"Just as you hear, dear."
"Please tell me you got the job."
She nods, extremely happy.
"Yes, I'll start tomorrow. I'll be in Lily's class, but since there are few children, Asher's class will also be there."
"Finally," I murmur. She hears me and laughs out loud, so I feel embarrassed.
"Don't worry, I'm just as happy as you are. Finally, Lily can go to kindergarten, right, sweetheart?"
She looks at Lily and she smiles, nodding. When I see Lily, I remember that Asher left recently, so I look towards the park. Asher is not at the door waiting for me, as usual.
"I have to leave you, Andrea, Asher left a long time ago and I don't see him waiting for me."
"Right, I'm so sorry, Vic. I didn't mean to interrupt."
"Don't worry, and see you tomorrow."
"See you. And please let me know when you find him."
I nod, and after saying goodbye to her, I start walking towards the park. When I reach the gate, the guard who takes care of it greets me, but what he says next is what leaves me paralyzed with fear.
"Why didn't you bring Asher today?"
"Why didn't I bring Asher? He came alone, didn't he?"
The guard looks at me scandalized and quickly shakes his head.
"No, I haven't seen him come in, but maybe I didn't see him. I'll check the cameras."
I leave the basket on the chair where he usually sits and nod.
"I'll go check around the neighborhood."
I walk away from the park and start running around the neighborhood, but two laps later I realize that there is no trace of him. I go back to the building to call the police, but before going in, a gray car catches my attention.
I stop. I know that car. That car...
"Are you looking for something? Or maybe I should say someone."
My body freezes. That voice, that damn voice...
I look over my shoulder, and to my surprise, I find a happy Asher.
"Asher, where the hell were you?"
When he realizes that I'm scared, his forehead wrinkles, and he raises his little hands towards me to be picked up.
"Sorry, mommy."
I pick him up by the ribs and hug him tight, giving him a kiss on the cheek. Asher smiles. He loves it when I give him cuddles.
As the fear begins to fade, I remember that voice. The voice of an old ghost that I tried to forget so much. I lift my head and find that man who broke my heart long ago, leaning on the reception desk of my building, arms crossed and a curious look. For a moment, I also think I saw surprise on his face, but his expression turns blank so quickly that I don't pay much attention to it.
"Hello," he says, walking away from the reception desk and towards me.
Hello? Really, Levi? After taking my heart, breaking it, and kicking me out of what was also my home? Hello?
"I had heard rumors..." he says. I instantly understand that he's talking about Asher, who is still in my arms.
"Is that why you're here?"
"Yes."
So he came for Asher. So if Asher didn't exist, he would still be on the other side of the ocean.
"It's not what you think or what you've heard."
“Obviously it's what I believe and what I've heard," Levi says firmly.
I squeeze Asher slightly. I do it unconsciously, seeking protection from his judgmental gaze. Just a second before he positions himself next to me, someone enters the building, catching my attention.
"Vicky!"
A little girl screams just after clinging to my leg. I look down and see Tina clinging to me in surprise.
"Tina?"
"That's me!" she shouts. Out of curiosity, I look around, but I don't see Maximiliano anywhere.
"My dear, where's your daddy?"
"He's on his way, because since you weren't coming, he thought about coming to see you."
"Who is the girl talking about? Is she your daughter too?"
I shake my head.
This is a problem. Levi being here is a problem, I'm sure of it.
- Writer
