STEPH
Caleb rolls on his play mat. Cal returns with a sandwich, a glass of milk, pills, and a clear container with a slice of sponge cake.
A smile spreads across my face. “What’s this?”
“I saw it in the library. Thought you’d like it.”
“I do. It looks delicious.”
“Eat the sandwich first, though, so you can take your pills.”
I take the milk from him, and he places a tablet on my tongue. I swallow along with a drink, and he gives me the second tablet. “Did you have fun at the library?”
Cal places the plate with the sandwich and plastic container on the armrest next to me with a chuckle.
“What’s funny?”
“You didn’t tell me it would be full of women.”
“I thought you knew. Didn’t you ever take your girls to anything like that?”
“No. I was always at work.”
“They’re a friendly bunch, though. Did they make you feel welcome?”
“Yeah, you could say that.”
Oh no, I bet they did. I bite the cheese sandwich and chew, but the thought of him flirting with those women leaves a tangy taste in my mouth. I swallow it down with a drink of milk, knowing everyone would want a piece of him. No one can deny he’s devilishly handsome and carrying our equally handsome boy would have made everyone swoon, no doubt.
“I saw Sally. She asked for your number. I hope it’s all right, because I gave it to her.”
“It’s fine. She’s really nice. We should have swapped numbers a long time ago.”
“I got you some books, too. Hang on.” He steps out of the room and returns with a tote bag full of books. “Have you read these?” He holds up two books.
“No, I started this one, though.” I lift the book that he left me with earlier today with the tatted guy on the cover. “I’ve honestly never seen this book before, but it’s odd, like I know or remember the story, and I knew what was going to happen before it did.”
“Caleb, careful.” Cal moves the coffee table to the side before Caleb bangs his head on the corner as he rolls around.
“Don’t you think that’s weird?” I’m not sure he was actually listening.
“Yeah, weird.” He shrugs, avoiding my gaze, and pulls some children’s books from the bag. “Do you wanna read a story, mate?”
Cal scoops Caleb up and sits next to me on the sofa. His legs nestle next to mine and Caleb’s tiny feet rest on top of the both of our thighs as he leans into Cal’s chest facing me.
Listening to Cal read ‘The Tiger Who Came For Tea’ soothes my soul. That man could read the phone book, and I would still get high from his voice.
Watching him with our son gives me a tingle in my stomach. Plus, he sat right next to me when there’s a full sofa and two chairs to choose from. He literally couldn’t get any closer unless he sat on my knee. Hope bubbles in my chest, and tingles spread out through every limb. I hope he’ll forgive me and learn to love me again.
Without his love, I’m like a flower with no sun. A rose bush cut back in winter, leaving only prickly thorns. I spent twenty years trying to live without his love, only half living. I didn’t even realise until I found him again, and he made me feel complete.
Caleb looks like he may settle down. He sucks on the teat of his bottle, leaning back in Cal’s muscular arm. His lids grow heavy and his eyelashes flicker as he gets milk drunk. Cal continues to read, and I rest my head against his shoulder, listening to his gravelly voice.
By the end of the story, Caleb’s out for the count. Cal eases him onto the space on the sofa next to us and pulls the blanket from the footstool over his small frame.
I open the container and take a bite of the Victoria sponge.
“Give us a bite.”