“Excuse me,” Dayton said, inching up to William. “But this has nothing to do with you.”
“You make it my business when you don’t take no as an answer and continue to harass my girlfriend. Sister or not, I won’t stand by and let you continue to use her.”
Even in a calm, calculated manner, William was taking charge.
“It’s okay. I’ll handle it,” I protested.
“See?” Dayton said sarcastically to William. “Even she wants you to butt out.”
William ignored me, instead walking closer to Dayton. “Like I said, why don’t you leave?”
Before I could even say anything to mediate the situation, Dayton ran up to William and shoved him. William took a step back, holding his hands up as Dayton proceeded to push him again. William shoved him back defensively and headed toward his car.
I turned to Sophia. “If he doesn’t leave, call the police.” I hurried and got into the passenger seat. William sped off.
When we got a few blocks away from my house, he slowed down. “I’m sorry.”
“For?”
“Butting into your business. And for shoving him.”
“It was self-defense.” I placed my hand on his right thigh. “Thanks for sticking up for me even if it was against my brother.”
He sighed. “I understand how you feel now.”
“What do you mean?”
He turned a corner and into a nearby parking lot and shifted into park, then turned and stared at me. “You always say you don’t want to come across as using me. But after that interaction with your brother, I understand where you’re coming from. I just felt angry for you. I want to be able to do nice things for you without you feeling guilty. It’s just not how I imagined things, you know?”
I laid my head on his shoulder. “I wish things were different with him. I thought this last time our relationship would improve, but Dayton will never change. I accepted that I couldn’t change him, and he won’t change until he is ready to let go of the past and look forward to the future. I just don’t want that in my life.” I paused and turned so that I made eye contact with him. “I just want to focus my energy on getting back on my feet and seeing where our relationship goes.”
He leaned in and kissed me. “I’d like that too. And if you’d let me, I’d love to help you put your past behind you so we can move forward into our relationship.”
“How?”
“In any way I can or you feel comfortable exploring. If you want to contact old foster parents, then I’ll be there for you every step of the way. If you ever choose to locate your biological father, I’ll be there for you as well. No matter how small, I want to take the journey with you. I love you. I know you may not be ready to say it back, but I’m not going to keep how I feel a secret anymore.”
“Thanks.” I felt warm and tingly. “Thank you for being there for me. You’ll never know how much I appreciate it.”
“I want to help. Serenity, please let me in.”
“Okay.” I rubbed the nape of my neck and smiled. “I just need to figure out what it is I want. The idea of meeting my father has crossed my mind before, but it’s never been a mission of mine. My brother and sister never met their fathers either. So it wasn’t like I was the only one, you know? But it would be interesting to have a picture of him at least. Just to know what he looked like or even his name. Just anything.” I floundered. “The past holds so many memories. Many are painful, but many made me who I want to be. Maybe someday I’ll go back to that time and reclaim it. When I make a decision, I’ll take you up on your offer. Deal?”
William reached over and kissed me again. “Deal! Now, how about that movie?”
I suddenly no longer had a movie on the mind. “How about a trip to the grocery store? I have something in mind.” I grinned, recalling my plan to make him a homemade meal. Zina had texted me the instructions to her favourite recipe for dinner rolls, and I could make a mean stew.
William raised an eyebrow. “Oh? What ya have in mind?”
“I’m going to cook for you.”
He smiled. “I won’t say no to that. What do you need? I’ll pay for—”
“It’s on me.” I reached over and kissed him. “I’ve set aside some money to do something nice for you. And I won’t take no for an answer.”
Warmth radiated throughout my entire body. After the shitty start of the day dealing with Dayton, I was looking forward to doing something for William.
“Okay! So let’s go,” he said excitedly.
While I didn’t have tons of money, over the years I learned to stretch a dollar.
He drove to the nearest grocery store to his home. Once inside, William followed me up and down the aisles as I threw ingredients into the cart. In my head, I made a mental note of the total. I didn’t want to spend all my money, and plus I had to leave room for taxes and any possible miscalculations. I didn’t want William to pick up the tab, not this time at least. I reached the final aisle and threw a tin can of kidney beans into the cart. “That is everything,” I told an eager William.
He grinned. “I’m pumped.”
We waited in line. Of course, there was only one till was open on the busiest shopping day of the week. There were ten people in front of me, and at least half of them had nearly full carts. I sighed to myself as we waited. William bounced from foot to foot. It was cute that he was excited and impatient over something as simple as buying groceries. And this was coming from the most patient man I knew.
“Will you let me buy a bottle of wine for the occasion at least?” he asked.
I frowned on the inside because I didn’t even think to budget anything to drink.
“Team effort, ya know?” he encouraged. “Or I have some leftover cider...”
I wasn’t a fan of cider, but I didn’t say so. “It’s up to you.”
“It’s the least I can do as you’re going to make us something so delicious. You don’t even know the last time I had someone cook for me. I either eat out or heated premade meals.”
That certainly added a sense of pressure. I needed to make sure I turned out something delicious that was up to his obviously high expectations. He was too nice to tell me if I sucked.
I swore to myself. Ten minutes ago, I was so excited, but now the self-doubt came barging in. I needed to keep telling myself that tonight was going to go well. And if everything went according to plan, I’d be spending the night. Slowly, one by one, the cashier rang through each customer until it came to my turn. As soon as he could reach the conveyor belt, William was already placing the items on it. I reached into my pocket for my money before he had a chance to pull a fast one.
“Thirty-five dollars and fifty cents,” the cashier said after ringing through the last item.
I handed her two twenties, and she handed me my change. William helped me bag the food before leaving the store. He put the grocery bags in the back seat. “I’ll be right back,” he said as he made his way to the front seat.
I nodded as I got into the car. He grabbed his wallet from the center console before leaving toward the convenience store adjacent to the grocery store. So he hadn’t even taken his wallet inside the store. My heart dropped as I imagined if I hadn’t had enough money.
Soon he returned with a bottle of red wine. “I hope this is sufficient.”
“It’s perfect,” I said with a smile.
He drove back to his place in record time. He insisted on carrying the bags in and setting them on the counter.
“Can I do anything to help?” he asked.
“No, just sit and relax.”
I wasted no time as I pulled out all my ingredients. I glanced at the time on the stove. It was two in the afternoon. First thing first was preparing the dough for the dinner rolls. I mixed all the dry ingredients together then added water. I kneaded the dough a little too roughly just to get out any lingering anger suppressed inside of me. I was going to make tonight special because I intended to end this night with a bang.
William hovered over me. “I just want to see what you’re doing.”
“Kneading dough. Then you have to let it rise.”
“Oh?”
“Then I’ll start on the main course.”
“I look forward to it,” he whispered in my ear.
A chill rang down my back. Was he hinting at something more? Or was it all in my head?
I placed the dough in a bowl and covered it with a cloth. Then I opened up the bag of meat chunks and added a little salt and pepper, setting them aside when I was satisfied. “Do you have a large pot?” I asked, hoping and praying he did.
“Yeah, in the back of the cupboard.” He dug into the back until he pulled out a large, shiny pot. It looked like it had never been used before. “Will this do?”
“Yes.”
I prepared the vegetables and the seasoned meat before adding the broth then turned the heat on low and closed the lid.
“Now we wait,” I said and walked over to the sofa.
“Who taught you to cook?” he asked. “I knew you could bake, but now I know you are the great cook. I mean I haven’t tried it yet, but I already know it’s going to be amazing.”
“My mom. She is a lot of things, but she could cook.”
William nodded. “My parents only knew how to cook out of a can.”
“Well, you can count on me to make you a real meal.”
He brushed his hand along the side of my face. “So does that mean you’ll spend more time at my place? I mean… you’re welcome here all the time.”
“I do spend a lot of time here, so yeah.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a key. “I want you to be able to come here whenever you want. Doesn’t matter if I’m here or not. I know from what you told me that sometimes it gets stressful at your place. And I just want you to have the option of coming to my place if you need an escape.”
I took the key slowly from his hand, my grasp trembling as I did so.
“The option is there.”
I attached it to my own house key. “I might take you up on that offer.”
“Good.”
I periodically got up to check on the stew. It was coming together and it smelled so good. My dough had risen and was ready to be formed into dinner rolls. They would be the perfect companion to a perfect stew.
I put the six small rolls into a pre-greased pan and into the oven.
“Almost done, love.”
He rubbed is hands together. “It smells so good.”
Forty-five minutes passed until dinner was ready. The beef stew was thick and savory, and the dinner rolls were a scrumptious golden-brown, fluffy and ready for dipping. I prepared William a bowl and brought it to him.
He wasted no time taking a bite, steaming and all. “Man, it tastes better then it smells. Thanks.” He took another mouthful while I waited for my bowl to cool down. I blew on it and by the time I took my first bite he was in the kitchen helping himself to a second serving.
All I could do was laugh. One thing for sure was that I could feed a healthy man. I knew it was a great recipe to a great relationship.
Before he sat down again, he cracked open the bottle of wine and brought me a glass.
“A toast to our future,” he said, holding up his glass.
“I can toast to that.” I beamed at him.
Then we kissed.
Tonight I was going to stay and wasn’t going to take no as an answer.
Chapter 11
I moved closer to William and wrapped my arms around him as he slept. Ever since we took the plunge and I stayed the night that first time, I had been staying over two or three nights a week, and last night was no exception. I gently kissed his neck.
I took a few large breaths and savored the moment as I longed for the hunk lying beside me. “Good morning,” I whispered in his ear.
William turned to me and we shared a look of love. Then his lips parted, and a silly grin crossed his face. “Good morning!”
It was late Sunday morning and neither of us had to go to work, but I didn’t want to sleep in any longer. I wanted to get up and do something. William reached over and kissed me.
“What do you want to do today?” he asked.
It was as if he read my mind. “Grab breakfast?” I suggested.
“Or we could stay in bed.” His cheeks glowed as he smiled at me. “Whatever your heart desires.”
I chuckled. “How about we get donuts?”
“Is that a joke about how much I love sweets? Cause you’re right.”
I threw my hands up and sighed exasperatedly. “You’re right. You got me.”
We both laughed.
I reached over and kissed him once more. “I’m gonna use the bathroom and get dressed. We can go from there, all right?”
He pulled the comforter off the both of us. “All right.”
“Hey!” I attempted to snatch the comforter back, but William gently resisted my attempts.
He raised an eyebrow at me. “I thought you were ready to get up.”
I smirked. “Yeah!”
“I’m helping you out, hun.”
I shook my head and hit his arm playfully. I grabbed my phone off the end table and strolled into the bathroom. Even though it was William’s apartment, my belongings had found their way into all sorts of random nooks and crannies. A toothbrush in the bathroom, my hair spray on the counter, even special milk in his fridge.
I sat down on the edge of the tub and checked my messages.
What are you up to? Mom had texted me.
Shortly after talking with Zina, I had realized I missed my mom. I accepted that I couldn’t always rely on her, but after Dayton stopped by, I just wanted any connection with my family that I could get, even if it was only crumbs being thrown my way. So I messaged my mom and told her I forgave her. I knew that I only had two choices if I wanted to maintain any kind of relationship with her: I could keep fighting a losing battle, or I could let go of thoughts of the outcome and enjoy what time I could get with her.
I’m good, I replied.
I heard from Dayton the other day, Mom replied a minute later.
Oh? How did that go? After I sent the message, my heart sped up. I hadn’t spoken to Dayton since the altercation in front of my house. I wondered if he was back in jail.
He wanted some money. So I sent him a little bit. He told me he wants to change his life around. He also told me your boyfriend assaulted him.
I gritted my teeth.
Did Dayton mention that he harassed me for money???? I sent the message quickly before immediately typing a follow-up. And that after I said no, he kept on and on until William had to step in to tell him to back off and Dayton pushed him. So don’t believe his sob story.
My hands trembled. How dare he blame William.
There was a knock on the door. “Serenity?”
“I’m almost done.”
“No rush, hun. I was just going to run to the store quickly for some milk. You want anything?”
“I’m good, thanks.”
The green light on my phone blinked, signaling another text.
I just wish you kids would get along. I won’t be around forever.
If only she knew. I wanted a relationship with Dayton and Harmony, not a one-sided connection where I was on the giving side and they never reciprocated. How was that fair to me? How was life, in general, fair to me? A bitter taste formed in my mouth. I should be grateful for what I had, but I couldn’t help but wonder what could have been.
None of us will be here forever, I texted back. I just hope Dayton does turn a new leaf so I can have a relationship with him. But life is too short to spend time and energy on people who can’t help themselves.
I clicked out of my messages and waddled into the living room where I slumped down on the couch. Soon William would be back and we’d enjoy a hearty day together like we usually did on our days off. I reached for the remote and turned on the television. The background noise drow
ned out the oppressive silence. My phone vibrated and, against my better judgment, I checked it.
Serenity. Everyone makes mistakes. I know I’ve made plenty and I understand to some degree what Dayton is going through. Don’t be hard on him. I just wish when I was in that dark place I had some support.
I could have rolled my eyes and replied bitterly, but I didn’t. Her words concerned me. Mom had made many mistakes, but what did she mean when she said that she knew what Dayton was going through? As far as I knew, she wasn’t a criminal. She was a terrible mother with a hard upbringing, but a criminal? No, it couldn’t be. Mom’s worst attribute was shacking up with questionable men in order to get by (which would explain her relationship with Mike). So what was “that dark place”?
What do you mean you know what Dayton is going through?
I threw her a bone because I wanted to know more. Mom didn’t talk much about her past. All I ever really got out of her was that her parents abused her and she had to take care of herself and Aunt Jane. Aunt Jane didn’t offer much more.
It’s nothing, she replied.
I sighed. Of course it was nothing. It’s always “nothing” with Mom. Why did I expect anything different?
Before I could dwell on the matter any longer, the door opened and William walked in. “I see you’re not dressed yet,” he said.
I glanced down at my tank top and pajama pants. “I guess not.”
He set a bag on the counter and frowned at me. “What’s wrong?”
I sighed and handed him the phone. “Check for yourself.” Maybe he’d have some kind of insight.
I waited as William read today’s correspondence with my mother. He handed me back the phone.
“I know it doesn’t get easier, Serenity.” He pulled me into a tight embrace.
I laid my head on his shoulder. “I know, but I can’t wrap my mind around her last message.”
“Oh?”
A heavy sigh escaped my lips. “I’m probably overthinking it, but she said she knew where Dayton was coming from, and when I asked her about it, she shut me down. I know it means something. I just wish I knew what.” My mind spun around like a racecar losing control on a track. What could Mom have gotten in trouble for? And when? Mom couldn’t even stand up to men who treated her like crap, so that crossed out a whole slew of crimes. It just didn’t make sense.
Leaving The Pieces Behind Page 11
