My Ex's Son

by M J Rutter

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes,” I smiled.

  “Well, it would only be for a few weeks, a month at the most.”

  “I don’t mind how long it’s for, you’d be doing me a favour too.” I insisted.

  He smiled warmly and his eyes lit up. “Thank you, Jen, really. I truly appreciate it and I will pay you rent, of course.”

  “Well, when you get a job you actually like, we can talk rent money then. But until then, I am happy for you to stay as my house guest.” I smiled.

  “I won’t stay for free.” He frowned, I gazed into his eyes. “I’ll do stuff in the house and back yard.”

  “Well, I suppose I could use a little help with things I can’t do. Okay.” I agreed. “It’s a deal.” I stood and held out my hand. He smiled and placed his warm hand in mine. It caused goose bumps to cover my arms.

  After more coffee, I led him to my room and pulled open the closet I put Turner’s clothes in. He had left shirts and jeans, pants and jackets at my previous apartment, when I moved I just took them with me, but it had been almost two years since he visited last and hadn’t even seen my house. Cain was so grateful for everything and I felt good about helping him. It was good to think about someone else for a change.

  “So, uh, this arrangement,” Cain said gazing over the jeans I pulled out for him. “I will make sure I am out of the way, you know, if someone was coming over.”

  I frowned, “Sorry?”

  “Well, your boyfriend.”

  “I don’t… I am single.” I admitted. “I uh,” I shook my head and inhaled a breath. “My last relationship ended last year, so… well, there will not be anyone coming over for dates or anything like that.” I explained uncomfortably. He seemed to be happy with my explanation, I supposed it would look odd to a boyfriend, if I had one.

  “I’m sorry, I should mind my own…,” he muttered and looked at the floor.

  “It’s fine. Since your dad,” my throat began to tighten, “there has only been two others, one was an old friend and it didn’t work out, then there was a guy called Nick, we split up last year after a three-year relationship.” I explained. “This would look nice on you.” I said holding up a shirt and changing the subject. Nick was a nasty, selfish man not unlike Jake I suppose, I didn’t want to talk about him or Jake for that matter.

  “I have spent so many nights lying on sofas and wondering what I did so wrong to be just left like this. Of course, I know I didn’t help myself, but still, I never thought anyone would ever show me kindness again, then you, Jen, you are here for me just like it was eight years ago.” I smiled slightly. “My dad was an asshole to treat you the way he did. He didn’t know how lucky he was.”

  “Thank you,” I muttered and frowned as tears pooled my eyes. “Sorry, he uh, he really hurt me, Cain, the scars he left on my heart will take a lifetime to heal.”

  “I didn’t mean to upset you by bringing him up. I just wanted you to know how bad I felt when you found out about Lisa.” He explained.

  “Lisa?” I grimaced.

  “The other girl.”

  “I thought her name was Annette.” I queried.

  “Oh, well, there was another, Lisa. So, he cheated on her also. I am so ashamed of him.” He admitted.

  Great, so I was being cheated on by two others, Jake was an asshole. “Look, it’s in the past, let’s leave it there and try not to mention your father again.” I suggested.

  “Deal.” He grinned.

  “Right, well, you help yourself to anything in here, there are socks in the drawer, there may even be some boxers. Everything is clean, I think the underwear and socks are new to be honest.” I turned to leave.

  “Jenna,” I looked at him and he smiled. “Thank you.”

  “You don’t have to keep thanking me, Cain, I know you appreciate it. I’ll make us some more coffee.” I said and left feeling my face warm. I don’t know what was going on, only that this man, whom I had known since a boy, caused my insides to quake and he hadn’t been back in my life for a full day yet.

  It baffled me that Cain and Jake were from the same gene pool, let alone being father and son. It was so easy to forget that Cain was his son in some respects, he seemed so kind and genuine, a complete contrast to his selfish father. He wasn’t arrogant like his father and it would have been a lot easier for me to forget about Jake completely.

  I returned to my laptop and continued editing the latest novel I had been sent. I didn’t get to realize my dream of publishing a book, but I helped others to realize theirs. I got the satisfaction of working on something and being involved in the process of bringing someone’s dream to life, but it was never quite enough.

  I rested my head on my hand and read through the next paragraph. It wasn’t exciting enough to keep me engaged that morning though. Within minutes, my eyelids felt so heavy, they closed.

  “Jenna,” a warm hand pressed on my shoulder and I snapped my eyes open. “You were asleep.” He said.

  “Sorry.” I sat up and pulled my shirt down around my body. “I am so cold.”

  “It’s probably because you are tired, it’s warm in here and the sun is shining.”

  “Perhaps.” I agreed.

  “Why don’t you take a nap, I am going to have a look in your garage and see if you have a mower or something. Your grass could use a cut.” He suggested.

  “There’s a ride on thing in there somewhere.” I said as I stood. “Help yourself to something to eat.” I added and went upstairs to my room.

  As exhausted as I felt, I couldn’t sleep a wink. I kept thinking about all he had said about his father and his job. I was so disappointed in Jake, but not surprised, the man always put himself first. It riled me up so bad, I couldn’t relax, so I took another hot shower and got dressed again.

  Cain was outside mowing the lawn when I came back down the stairs. The sun shone brightly outside, so I went out to see how he was getting on. I watched as he drove around my back yard, as he turned, he noticed me watching and smiled warmly as he drove towards me. The sun shone on his hair and sparkled on the layer of sweat covering his face.

  “Are you okay?” he asked as he stopped.

  “I couldn’t sleep, so, I am making something for lunch, are you hungry?” I asked.

  “I guess,” he nodded. “I am done now, so, I’ll put this away and I will be right in.”

  “No hurry.” I shrugged and headed inside.

  I made cold cut and salad sandwiches for lunch and laid the table with tortilla chips and a bowl of cheese chunks and grapes. As I poured out two glasses of sparkling water, he opened the back door and entered the kitchen.

  “It’s turning out to be a good day,” he smiled.

  “It is,” I agreed. “Lunch is ready,” I added with a smile.

  “Cool,” he nodded, “I’ll just go wash up and I will be right with you.” He left the kitchen and just before I sat down, my cell began to ring.

  “Hello?” I said.

  “Jenna, it’s Catelyn, I thought we had a lunch meeting set up for today?” Catelyn Andrews, my newest author, said into my ear.

  I gasped, “I am so sorry. I forgot to call you, Catelyn.”

  “It’s okay, we can meet next week instead, but it’s not like you…”

  “I know,” I admitted. “Something came up last minute and…”

  “Is he gorgeous?” she asked.

  “I’m sorry, who?”

  “The guy you have blown me off for.” She chuckled. I felt my cheeks warm.

  “It’s not like that,” I blurted feebly as Cain walked into the kitchen.

  “I grabbed your paper for you,” he said as he sat.

  Catelyn squealed into my ear, “I knew it. I will not keep you a minute longer, just give me all the details when we meet. Text me a more convenient time, okay?”

  “Catelyn, it’s…” I began

  “Bye, Jenna.” She said and hung up.

  “Bye.” I frowned and turned to Cain.

&n
bsp; “Sorry, I didn’t know you were on the phone.” He explained.

  “It’s fine.” I shrugged and slipped my phone into my jacket pocket hanging on the back of the chair. “Let’s eat.” I said and sat.

  Three

  Later that day, while working on my latest work in progress, Cain came out to the kitchen and asked if he could make some coffee.

  “Of course,” I shrugged and gazed at the same page I had been staring at for the last forty minutes.

  “What are you writing?” he asked. I looked up to him. He smiled, “I assume you are writing a book?”

  “I am as it happens, but it will just end up another in the file titled, ‘Never to be published’.” I sighed.

  “Seriously? You must be published by now?”

  I frowned and closed my laptop, “No.”

  “So, what happened to your dream of becoming a published author?” he pressed.

  “Your father said I didn’t have what it takes and I suppose he was right. I work as chief editor at Dalton, Brian and Brown in the city and I read some amazing work, but I would never write anything half as good as some of the stuff we reject.”

  “I bet that’s not true, have you submitted anything?” I shook my head. “Then how do you know? I loved the stories you used to write for me when I was younger.”

  I smiled wryly, “Well, pleasing a twelve-year-old is one thing, actually putting myself out there… No, I can’t do it, I can’t open myself up to such criticism.”

  “Jen, that’s such a shame.” He grumbled. “To think, you let my ass-hat of an old man ruin your dreams.”

  “He ruined more than that, Cain.” I sighed. He frowned, stunned by my admission. “When you tell a girl that she is not girlfriend or wife material, she’ll believe it. He said that…” I heaved a shaky breath. “It’s doesn’t matter.” I stood from the table and left the kitchen. Cain didn’t need to hear what his father did to me, the cheating part, that was only half of it. I didn’t want Cain to see me as his father did, pathetic, needy, old before my time. Those were just some of the harsh words he said to me.

  “I crossed a line,” he said apologetically behind me as I stared out of the living room window, “I am so sorry, Jen. I didn’t mean to upset you.” I swallowed my emotion and turned to face him. He frowned, distressed by my appearance as I balanced on a fragile edge. I suppose I was never truly that good at hiding my feelings. “I don’t think me staying here is such a good idea.”

  “Why?” I panicked.

  “Well, I am going to upset you because of what he did to you, my being here is bringing it all back. So, I’ll make a few calls and go.”

  “No, it’s fine, honestly.” I insisted.

  “Jen, the last thing I want is to see the hurt in your eyes, I think I am bringing it all back and you don’t deserve that.”

  “I am just tired, Cain, I am fine. Look, you are not your father, in fact, you are nothing like him, so, having you here is not bringing up bad memories, how could it when all we had was fun?” I smiled. “You are doing me a huge favor. I was looking for a renter and a gardener, so by you being here, it is killing two birds with one stone.” I explained, pulling myself together. “I can’t tell you all of what happened between me and your dad because I am afraid you will see what he saw. I don’t want to be that person anymore.” I explained. “I just need to get a good night’s sleep and then everything will be back to normal. Please, don’t leave.”

  He stared for a few moments, “For the record, I will never see why my dad was never just satisfied being with you, or what he saw in them…” I frowned again. “Sorry. Look, I just want to say that my dad never deserved you.” He added quietly. “I will stay, but only if you are sure?”

  “I am positive.” I assured.

  “Okay, well, if it’s alright, I’ll make us some coffee then.”

  “Sounds perfect.” I smiled. It was sort of forced, but I managed it. I felt foolish and vowed not to let anything Jake said or did to me, affect my life any more. I was over him.

  After a relatively quiet afternoon, and dinner that night, we watched a movie and then I announced I was going to bed. Leaving Cain watching TV, I went to my room and allowed my demons to attack me in my dreams, the only time I gave them a free hand to do and say whatever they wanted was when I was dreaming and knew it wasn’t real. I must have been exhausted because I fell right to sleep and only woke when my alarm on my phone sounded out. I got up and showered, dressed in my grey two-piece suit and headed down the stairs.

  Sitting at the table, which had been set out with a pitcher of freshly squeezed orange juice, a huge bowl of fruit salad and on a plate in the middle, a steaming pile of pancakes, was Cain. He was wearing another of my brother’s shirts and jeans. He had showered and smiled sweetly as I entered the kitchen.

  “Good morning.” He chimed.

  “What is all this?” I asked, surprised.

  “Well, you can go to work with a full breakfast inside of you. While you are gone, I am going to weed the front flower beds and then make a start on painting the garage doors and window shutters.”

  “Wow,” was all I could muster. “Thank you.”

  “No problem. You start eating and I will fill your commuter cup with coffee for the drive in to the city.”

  “I take the train, but that would be great. In fact, if you drive me to the station, you can use my car today.”

  “Are you sure?” he asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Great, thanks. I might swing by my, well, where I used to live and get my stuff on the way back, he’ll be at work. I can’t keep using your brother’s clothes.”

  “That’s fine, there is plenty of gas in it.” I smiled and began loading fruit onto a pancake.

  We stopped at the front of the station and I climbed out of the car. I opened the back door and got my laptop and my work bag. He climbed out of the front and walked around the car.

  “Look after her,” I smiled.

  “I will, promise. Have a good day, Jen.”

  “Thank you, and you.” I said as he gazed into my eyes and smiled crookedly.

  “I’ll cook tonight, is there anything you would like?” he asked.

  “You don’t have to do this, cooking and chores.”

  “I want to.” He insisted. “It’s the least I can do.”

  “Well, I do have some chicken in the freezer.”

  “I’ll rustle up something with that then.”

  “My train will get in for about seven, but I’ll call… Oh, you don’t have a cell.”

  “I do,” he said, “give me your cell and I’ll put my number in it.” I handed him my cell phone and he quickly typed in his number then handed it back to me. “Text me later and I’ll have your number then.”

  I nodded, “Okay.” I turned to leave as he climbed into my car. I was slightly apprehensive, but I buried it, turned around and smiled with a wave.

  Now, call me stupid or whatever, but I did walk into that station knowing that I had given my car, my keys and the use of my home to someone who was practically a stranger. I trusted him though and I knew he would never do anything to misplace my trust. His father was the ass-hat, not Cain.

  Just after eleven I sent a quick text to see if Cain was okay after getting his stuff. I waited an agonizing fifteen minutes for him to reply and was just about to call him when a text pinged back,

  ‘Yeah, I got my stuff, he was there, but there was no trouble. He apologized and we parted on good terms. I have finished the doors and starting on the shutters now.’

  I smiled with relief, for a few moments the thoughts that flooded my mind were excruciating.

  The day flew by and although I needed to make up for the previous day, I left the office at six as planned and headed to the station. I liked the idea of not going home to an empty house. That someone would be there and would have cooked for me.

  During the train ride from the city, I searched my phone for law firms that were looking for i
nterns or new lawyers. Then I wondered if the legal team we had at the office, had the need for a new intern. I left a message for my friend and colleague, Lander Dalton, who also happened to be the CEO’s son to call me as soon as he could and as I ended the message, I realized it was Friday, so decided not to mention it to Cain until I had at least heard back from him.

  Within a few minutes of ending the call, my phone began to ring.

  “Jenna, I was just heading out of the office, what’s up?”

  “Sorry, Lander, its nothing urgent.” I explained.

  “Gees, you almost stopped my heart. You know how close we are to signing Rebecca Lyn?” he asked reminding me of the biggest signing Dalton, Brian and Brown had ever had.

  “Sorry. It’s just, well, a very close friend of mine is having trouble getting a job with a law firm after exposing the firm he was working at for laundering money and extortion.”

  “Are you talking about that huge case last year? Ah, what were their names? The guy was an intern and he got the firm shut down… Cain someone, Cain…”

  “Macalister.” I stated.

  “Yeah, you are friends with that guy?” he asked.

  “I am, as it happens.”

  “Didn’t they discredit him? Basically, he is black listed and no law firm will touch him in the state. Or so I heard.” He added.

  “That’s right.” I sighed. “Is there anything he can do to clear his name? I mean, the poor guy did the right thing, Lander?”

  “I don’t know to be honest. You see, when a huge firm like that black lists you, there’s not really a lot you can do about it.” He replied.

  “Seems extremely unfair.” I frowned.

  “It is. Listen, let me put some feelers out, I have a few buddies in the industry, the last thing he wants is to have to work for those claim lawyers. Leave it with me.”