He put his hands in the sink countertop and I ran my fingers through his arms when disengaged me from her embrace. He kissed my mouth and my palms are supported on the backs of his hands on the counter. It was a strange touch below my right hand that caught my attention. The smile faded from my face as I looked down. To your left mother. For your alliance.
I raised his hand and turned the ring on his finger.
- Don ... No! - Took his hand and held my face lovingly. - No. She is nothing to me.
- Do not say that his wife, Gregory.
It hurt me so much. Much more than I would be able to admit. He was mine. He had to have been mine.
But it was her.
I pushed his chest slowly and pulled the robe hanging in one of the hangers.
And there I was staying with a married man again.
- I have filed for divorce. We're separated.
- Yeah ... I know how this conversation works. - I smile, tying a knot in the cord around my waist. He did not even bother to get dressed.
- No, do not. I do not want anything to do with Elizabeth, with any of them! I just want...
- None of them?
What was it now? My jaw was dropping demanding a response.
- I had girlfriends. - He admitted hesitantly.
- In plural?
- Not more than one at a time. I mean ... - scratched his head - Almost. ... I almost had a thing with an employee, but I stopped before something worse happened and ...
- Easy, easy, easy! - I took two steps back and he began to dress - So you have a wife, girlfriend and a mistress?
- It sounds horrible when you say so.
- What does that make me then? The fourth woman in your life?
- There's no other woman in my life. - Attacked the belt - is all a distraction. I missed her and ...
- And got a lot of women to kill time? You've changed, Gregory.
I had fear in their eyes. As if he was scared that I would send him away and say "never again." Maybe I should do exactly that. It was the suggestion that my head gave me. But it was safe to say that my heart was making the decisions today.
- Sun! I love, listen to me. - He took my face in his hands and was so natural. It was so natural to feel his affection ... His care ... - It was horrible. When you left ... All these years have been horrible. I missed you. Much. More than ... never changed, Dom! What I felt for you, he never changed. And I know I was an asshole bastard in recent years. I know that and I want to fix everything. I'll fix everything. But you ... and Ty ... have separated me from you is the first thing I need to fix.
- I think you better go now.
- Laura! - He squeezed his forehead - I swear to God ...
He had buttoned blouse with despair and had made the feat of making mistakes almost all buttons leaving his shirt every pie. I laughed.
- What now? - He had a panicked expression that was almost comical.
- Come here. - I called.
- You're going to hit me? - He asked aside and I laughed.
- Come up here now, I'm sending.
He obeyed afraid and I started to undo his shoddy work and buttoning his shirt in the right way. He was very quiet while I worked, caressing my arms slowly.
- Ready. - I decided - Now is better.
Greg rested his forehead on mine.
- I also think. - He whispered and I knew he was not talking buttons. - Are you really going to send me away?
I took her hands to her face and stroked her cheek.
- I do not know what will happen between us, Holt.
- I just want ...
- Shh ... - I asked - I have not seen for years and now ... we met a few hours ago ... and can not be fast, Greg.
He squeezed his lips in a gesture of agreement and I squeezed his arm.
- A lot has happened. You changed. I changed. You have to find out if you can still trust each other.
- Your self is amazing, you know? - She smiled and I had wanted to hug him again - because if it were up to me, I spent the whole night kissing you.
- And what would I say pro Tyler, tomorrow?
- I was gonna say that I love m ...
- Holt! - I raised a hand and stopped him. My heart raced. See you again after so many years. Sex with him ... it was all perfect. But ... I was not ready. I needed that he dared to say the words to realize that I was not ready.
- What's it? - His eyes were gentle - I'm telling you something you do not know?
- We still have much unfinished business! Eleanor still hate me -And he wants to see me dead, what will happen if I do not put her in jail before, but do not trust you to tell you that. Not yet. - And you're married, Holt!
- Separated, I ...
- Have not signed the documents and is using the alliance.
- The alliance is because of the media and investors, Dom It sucks, but my public life and personal live hooked.! I was just stalling, putting off the time it would take to solve it all. But now? - He took the ring finger - Here. You can throw away, flush ... Whatever you want. Toma. - has invited.
- Put it on your finger, Greg. I do not want to mess up your life. Personal or professional. And I do not know what will happen between us, but do not want to solve whispering in the bathroom. And you have a child sleeping here on the side that is the most important thing in my life. I will not give you hope that I and his father can have a relationship and then destroy it again. Also, you can not shove in his life as well. Overnight! He will need a time.
- Okay, okay. You are right. We will calmly.
- Thanks. - My weary tone ended the discussion - I think you should go, even. If Ty wakes ...
- Right. It's all right.
He took his things and I accompanied him to the door.
- But we talk? - She turned to me - You call me, right?
- I'll call. - Squeezed smile and he kissed me.
It was calm and spontaneous.
- League tomorrow? - He asked.
- Greg!
- Just to let me know if you talked to Ty or not? Please? - He had a sweet way to say that melted me. I was never very good at saying no to him and it clearly had not changed.
- I'll call.
- Promise?
- Promise. - I laughed - Now get out of here, Holt!
- Thoen? - He was already in the hallway when laughed at me again - Do not even think of running away from me again, okay? This time, if you go somewhere, I'll go with you.
Chapter 11
- And then? What do you think?
- Better than the hotel, mother. - He smiled.
- And than Paris?
He lifted one shoulder.
- I think so.
I spent a hand through his spiky hair and looked around at the apartment Malcolm Walton had prepared to receive us.
- Puppy, if not like, I need you to tell me, okay?
- I know I know. You will get used.
He took his little blue bag and started walking to the last room to the right of the hallway. He was just a kid, I know. But I loved the way he spoke in the plural. It made me feel part of a team. Our small team. And I protect us at all costs.
- Have you talked to him? - Gary brought a few bags into the room and whispered, discreet.
- Not yet.
- Will you talk now?
- Zahner! My son is not part of your plan, okay? It is important to remember that. - Recriminei.
- I was just worried, Dom I'm not interested in using the kid..
- It's all right. Thank you for your help. - I smile indicating that it was time for him to go.
- My apartment is this one side. - He pointed to a next door in the hallway - Keys.
- Why would I need the keys to your apartment?
- If you find you are running any risk, not back home, goes there. I have your keys too.
I opened a skeptical smile to the young policeman.
- Are you serious? I do not know if I like that idea.
- Security issue.
I thought it was the most important topic in your list.
- My privacy is at the very top of that list, too.
- I will not break into your house at dawn, Thoen. - His smile had a concentrated dose of sympathy. - Just for the sake of security.
- It's all right. I will try to forget this fact, then.
He greeted me with a gesture and went.
- Where's Gary?
- He is gone.
- Come here. What you want to eat? You can order a pizza.
- Weekday?
- It is ... today will be an exception. - I picked up the phone the bag - We have to celebrate the new home.
- Four cheeses with olives!
I had to laugh.
- Molech, you have some very specific tastes.
I made the request while he was changing channels on television. I knew someone like that. Another person who also took forever to decide which channel to watch. Genetics is really sucks.
- Puppy? - I sat on her side on the couch.
- Hm? - He not rolled her eyes at me.
- You need to talk about some things. Turn off the television, for me?
- It's about Gary? - He still had his eyes fixed on a generic design.
- Do not. - I wanted to talk, but ... - Why?
- It's him, is not it? Your friend. What would be with me if anything happened to you?
- Ahm ... No, son. Not Gary.
- Why he lives near us? - This time the design was abandoned.
- It's a long story, but it has to do with the work of his mother. I wanted to talk to you about something else. Puppy, I think we need to talk a little about your father.
He swallowed.
- I said I was small.
- I know. But I think we will need to talk yet. There are some things that Mom had misunderstood. Very wrong. And there are some things that your father got it wrong too. Were very serious things, son, that caused us to separate both. But maybe ... maybe now we need not get so far so. Maybe we can to reconnect.
- Mother, Gary is my father?
- What? - Despite the seriousness of the matter, I found myself laughing - No, boy! - I scratched his head affectionately - Gary is not your father.
- Why do you have to talk about it now, then?
He approached me in an almost instinctive way. As he did when he was little and the villain of the film was about picking up the hero. In the second before everything is resolved and the good win, he approached me that shy way. As if asking lap.
He was afraid.
- Look at me. Come here. - I took the remote control of their hands and turned off the television - Who is the strongest person you know?
- Hmm ... You?
- I! Of course! You had to think? - Did I tickle and he laughed - I offended you, kid!
- Who is the bravest person?
- You?
- I! And the most overprotective?
- You! - He stated with conviction.
- And the most intelligent - counted on the fingers - and determined ...
- Grossa.
I raised an eyebrow at him.
- The neighbor said that. - Shook the hands rendered.
I and my problem with nosy neighbors ...
- Whatever. - I accepted - But I'm all?
- IT IS. - Quickly agreed.
- I always took care of us, was not it? And I will always care. And you'll always be fine. You and me. Promise.
- Right. - He was smiling and not squeezed against me that shy and fearful way.
- Ready. None of this will change. But now, if you want, you can have a person closer to you. But if you do not want, no problem. It is you who decides. Right?
- Right. - He shook his head again.
- So, son ... - resumed gently - We need to talk about his father because he is here, in this city. And I talked to him about several things that happened ... Remember I told you it was a complicated story? - He nodded and I continued - this complication, he and I, we get confused. He understood some things the wrong way and I also. But now, after the conversation, it's ... - what's the word I want? - right. - I decided, for lack of a better - and he wanted to meet you. But this will only happen if you want.
- What was the confusion, mother?
How could I explain?
How could I explain in a way that did not involve abandonment, abortion, swearing, attempted murders and escapes?
- They lied to me, baby. And lied your dad, too. He did not know where I was, so I never came to know you before. But now he wants too.
- If he knew, why did not you tell?
Child or not, would be hard to fool a kid with a considerably higher IQ than mine.
- I will not lie to you, Ty. This is the part of the story is complicated and I wish you only knew when it was bigger. But I'll tell you that ... ... remember - let Dom ... find the words ... - Do you remember the Lion King? - Snapped my fingers.
- I remember. - He grimaced who did not understand what I wanted, but I was amused.
- Remember how Scar killed Mufasa and Simba deceived? Then Simba thought it was his fault. But at the same time, no one was behind him to undo the misunderstanding because Scar also lied to everyone about Simba?
- My father killed his brother to be king? - He laughed.
- Molech. - Gave a playful slap on his leg - Pay attention!
- Excuse! Excuse! - Continued laughing.
It was the best. The more relaxed the conversation could be better.
- What I'm trying to explain to you, your joker is that they lied to me and your dad. And I did not know what was happening and neither did he. And none of us had to talk to the other.
- This confusion was very confused even, huh Mom?
- Was. But now we both talk and find out what really happened. And his father wanted to meet you, son. I told him he was going to talk to you, but he knows that depends on you and will respect what you want. You decide.
- You always say I'm too small to solve!
He was returning to my lap that typical way.
- If I could protect you that I protect, Ty. But his father is a good man, he was mistaken, we both were. I think it would be good ... it would be good for you to have contact with him. He is a working man, kind, honest. - I could feel my voice is melting the mere memory of Gregory, I forgot how this love living thing sucks - but if you do not, if you feel ready, we wait. The time you want, okay?
He was silent for a few seconds as if considering the options.
- I'd have to go to his house?
- Just when you wanted.
- I do not know if I'd like that.
- Do not have to do anything you do not want, baby. And you would not go to his house so early. First, you would be known. He could come here one day. We ask for a pizza. - I played - Four cheese with enough olive.
- And you would stay with us?
- He was the son, of course.
Another brief silence.
- Yeah ... I think it's okay, then. - He lifted a shoulder, anyway. Your casual words were a pretense that I could read well. He was nervous ... but it was expected. It would not be a simple or conventional situation.
If Holt hurt my puppy, I'll kill him.
- Can I talk to him? Say you accepted?
- And when will that be? When I'll have to talk to him?
- You can ask him for his birthday at the weekend.
He wrinkled his nose.
- No mother. Better not. It's a party, it will have to come, may be busy ...
- He is the son.
Oh, it is ...
- Better not. We mark another day. - Shook his head in an adult way - it is better.
- And your training tomorrow? For the swim team?
- Tomorrow is before the weekend, mother. I think he could not.
Is afraid.
- Let's do so then! - I decided - I talk to him and see if he can. If he can, fine. If not, we mark another day. What do you think?
He cowered in a timid ag
reement.
- Ty, no one is forcing you to do this. If not, do not.
- I know. - I shook my knee slowly as if he wanted me to stop talking. - You can call pro workout. You will also, will not you?
- I will, of course! I told you! I'll talk to him tomorrow and if he can, it appears there.
I tried a relaxed way, but I knew that the moment would be full of tension.
Up from the couch and went to put the table.
- Mother? - He was knee on the couch, watching me, leaning on the back.
I stopped what I was doing to give you attention.
- What happens if he does not like me?
I kill him.
- Tyler ... - dropped the dishes anywhere in the table and returned to the couch - Love, he will love you. Just like any human being in the world. - He pulled my arms pros.
- You are my mother. Not worth when you say it.
- Yes it's worth it! I know you better than anyone.
- OK. But what if he does not like? No way?
- There will be just me and you as ever. - I kissed his cheek - You'll find it bad, is it? - I put my fingers in his ribs tickling clumsy - I want to get rid of me, is it?
- No! No! - He asked between a scream and a laugh. - Mother! - He asked, gasping when I stopped exaggerated tickle - I'll have to call him father?
- When you want. But if you do not want ... no flame. Simple. - smile.
- How's his name? - She sat between my lap and the couch.
- Gregory. Gregory Holt.
***********
- What's up?
- Gary! I told you do not have to worry about it.
- I'm just being honest, Bishop Concerned about the welfare of the boy.. Your situation is so wrapped up I feel like I was watching a soap opera.
I looked at him indignantly.
- I'm touched by his sensitivity.
- I'm just being honest. - He laughed.
- Tyler said he wants to meet his father. It's with a little trepidation, but I think it should be normal.
- And you'll talk to him?
- No, Zahner ... will send a telepathic message ... - I narrowed my eyes.
- Will there or just a link solve?
- I'll go. The school sent a standardized invitation ... inviting parents and family and Ty asked me to take the invitation to the father.
Gary made a curious face.
My Life in the End Page 22
