Forever This Time

by Ann B. Harrison

  “Leo.”

  “That’s what you said, Mom.” He dropped his bottom lip.

  “That’s enough.” She watched Drew for a second and then spoke to Gigi. “Thank you, that’d be lovely. Nothing like honey on hot toast with a cup of tea for breakfast. I feel like a kid again when it runs between my fingers.”

  ***

  Drew choked again on the sexual innuendos coming from his aunt. She loved to tease him about her mystery friend and April unwittingly played along. He would have to have a word with her when they were alone. It was all too much for him to take in.

  Of course his father and aunt were allowed to have relationships, but he didn’t have to know about it. There was something uncomfortable about them sharing details with the rest of the family. It was enough to scar anyone.

  A knock on the door interrupted their dessert. Drew looked at the front porch. Even in the waning evening light he could see who it was. Trina Locket stood waving and smiling in his direction. Great. Just what he didn’t need tonight. “Excuse me.” He got up from the table and walked outside, closing the door behind him praying for patience.

  “Trina. What are you doing here?” He gripped the hands that reached for his neck and she pouted. Lips he’d once thought were sexy now looked over glossed and plumped up, the lipstick smeared.

  “I missed you, Drew. You said you’d call and you haven’t.”

  “I never said I would. You misheard me.” That was one date too many if she had that idea. He’d never ever gotten serious with any of the women he’d dated and made it very clear from the outset. He wasn’t after forever. Not with anyone but April.

  She huffed and pulled her hands away, quickly winding them around his neck before he could stop her. “No, baby. You promised to call me. Remember that night we snuck back to my place and got all cozy? I didn’t mean to fall asleep on you, promise. How about we revisit and try that evening again? You know you want to.”

  She looked in the window and brightened when she saw the family seated at the table looking her way. Drew didn’t have time to stop her before she knocked on the glass and waved. “Hello everyone. Drew, take me in so I can say hello. Your father is the most adorable thing. I just want to sit and listen to him talk all night.” A hysterical giggle rose in her throat.

  “No. I’m sorry, Trina but I’m busy. I’d like you to leave.”

  She tilted her head and stared at him, shocked at his words. “No. No, I’m not leaving. I missed you, Drew baby. Didn’t you hear me? It’s been too long since we got together and you know, got cuddly. But”—she held up her hand—“I can share you with your family if that’s how it has to be. After dinner we can sneak off on our own if you like.”

  “Trina, listen to me. We are not sneaking off anywhere together. There is no us, never was.”

  She huffed out a big sigh and the hint of whiskey hung on the air between them. He should have noticed the heightened excitement and the glaze in her eyes earlier. He’d have to get her home. She was in no fit state to drive. How she’d made it here without causing an accident surprised him. “Let me take you home. Hand over your keys please?”

  Trina gave him a saucy wink and his stomach lurched. “You wanna take them from me, baby?”

  He ducked into the house and grabbed his car keys. “Dad, April, I’ll be back shortly. Sorry about this. Explain when I get back.” He raced out without acknowledging the pain in April’s eyes.

  He took the keys from Trina and pocketed them. “We’ll go in my car.” He helped her down the stairs to his car and put her inside, then buckled up the seatbelt for her. If he was lucky, he’d get there and back before April had after dinner coffee.

  It seemed that luck wasn’t on his side. When he got home it was to his father and Gigi cleaning up the dishes. April and the children were nowhere in sight. “Damn. She’s gone.”

  “Sorry, son. She didn’t seem inclined to stay after that little display of romance. Can’t say I blame her.”

  Drew threw his keys on the table. “It wasn’t what it looked like.”

  Atticus stood with hands on hips. “Why don’t you tell me what it was then, Drew. From where I sat, it looked like you had a woman offering herself to you on a plate because last time she fell asleep when you were together aiming to get all cozy. Seemed like she thought you had something to make up for and from where I was sitting, you didn’t seem to be trying to discourage her all that much.”

  “I know it might have sounded bad, but there wasn’t anything between us. A casual affair is not a serious relationship. She knew that when we started dating.”

  “Well, it would seem that she forgot that little stipulation.” Atticus turned away, shaking his head. “April is coming down from a terrible episode in her life and doesn’t need this kind of crap dropped in her lap. Not after you’ve apparently professed your love for her. What is the poor girl supposed to think, Drew?”

  “I’ve told her the truth, okay? I haven’t been with anyone for months no matter what Trina says.”

  “Perhaps you should be telling that to April, not me. I don’t like your chances of fixing it this time. Don’t like them at all.”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  April hugged her pillow, tears wetting her cheeks. For a brief moment she’d had a thread of hope. Stupid when she thought about it. Her initial instinct had been right. They needed to keep their relationship on a friendly professional basis and leave it at that. The love they shared as teens was long gone and too much water had passed under the bridge for them to pick up where they’d left off.

  Footsteps sounded on the front porch. She tensed. A tap sounded on her bedroom window and someone called her name in a loud whisper. “April. April, please, let me in. I need to talk to you, to explain.”

  Her heart pounded and she remained silent, her fist in her mouth to stop from crying out.

  “April, please.”

  She turned her face into the pillow so he couldn’t hear the sobs she couldn’t hold back. Eventually, the footsteps receded and she was left to cry in peace. How could she have been so stupid? Did she want to be another notch on his belt? Not a hope in hell!

  Drew was a grown man with needs, she understood that. He’d told her he wasn’t a blushing virgin while she was away and she believed him. What she hadn’t expected was to have his conquests rock up at the door ready for another round the same day she’d admitted how much he still meant to her.

  April had been incredibly humiliated and while Gigi had tried to smooth the waters, Atticus had fumed quietly. Drew, although an adult, would no doubt be getting the sharp side of his father’s tongue when he got home.

  She punched the pillow, snuggled down, and closed her eyes. Sleep evaded her and April tossed most of the night. When Leo came stumbling into her room the next morning, she’d only just nodded off.

  She woke with a jolt, her heart racing. Her little man leaned on his elbows, peering down into her eyes. “Mom, why did Drew go away with that lady last night?”

  “Um, I’m not sure.” She swallowed, blinked to clear her fuzzy vision and focused on Leo’s face. The tiny scar above his right eyebrow from when he jumped on the bed, falling into the corner of the dresser. That had been her fault and ended with a bout of violence from Rob. Her second broken bone that year. She stared at the freckles that rained across his cheeks like a trial of chocolate flecks dropped carelessly on his pale skin. The tiny sparks of gold in his brown eyes.

  “I thought you were his girlfriend.” He needed a haircut. A swath of thick hair waved down over one eye.

  “I work for him and we were friends when we were younger.” April wiped her hand over her burning eyes. They were probably puffy too and she really didn’t have time to put a cold compress on them before work. Her bag of makeup was going to have to do. Otherwise, Drew would know she’d been upset and she didn’t want to give him that power over her.

  “But I heard Tilly talking to Gigi. They said you two were good friends.” He flopped
down on her pillow, his head touching hers.

  April tucked an arm around him and sighed. “We are friends, Leo. We’ve always been close and now I work for him.” She wanted to close her eyes and go back sleep. Facing him today would be difficult, but she was the only one responsible for her children. It meant she had no choice, but to put it behind her and step up. “Go and get a bowl of cereal while I have a shower.” She kissed his cheek and gave him a nudge.

  Protesting, Leo clambered off her bed and padded into the kitchen for breakfast.

  April rolled over on her back and opened her eyes. The sun streamed in the crack in the blinds, almost to cheerful for her to bear. More patters of feet on the hall floor indicated Tilly had risen as well.

  “Mom, Leo’s spilled milk all over the counter. Tell him to clean it up.”

  April groaned and threw off the blankets, stumbled into the bathroom. By the time she emerged from the shower, the kitchen was littered with dirty bowls, cereal packets and spilled milk.

  “Leo. Come and clean up this mess.”

  Tilly walked out with her backpack over her shoulder and dumped it on a chair. “He’s in his room sulking.”

  “Whatever for?” She didn’t have time for his mood this morning. April already felt run down and behind the ball.

  “He wants to see Drew and I said you aren’t talking to each other.”

  “Tilly! What did you say that for?” April cleared the plates, dumped them in the sink, and headed for the bedroom to soothe her son.

  He lay fully dressed on the bed, his head hidden under his pillow.

  “Leo, let’s go. You’ll miss the school bus and I don’t have time to drive you in today. We’re already running late.”

  “No!”

  Inwardly she groaned. When her son got in a mood, it was hard to shake him out of it. “Honey, talk to me. What’s this all about?”

  ***

  Drew sipped the last of his coffee while standing on the front porch looking down over the marina when racing footsteps rounded the path. Leo came tearing up the steps and threw himself into Drew, knocking him back a couple of steps. The little boy hugged him as sobs wracked his body.

  Drew crouched down, put his mug on the deck, and held the child. “Leo, what’s wrong? Is it your mom; is she okay?” Panic started to build in his throat. Her in-laws had better not be back at the house.

  “She, she…” Leo struggled to get the words out and Drew was ready to run to her. “She said you and her…” He sniffed. “You and her don’t have to be friends anymore.”

  “Oh, I see. And that makes you sad?” He could hardly blame her after last night. Hopefully she would give him the chance to explain.

  “Ye-yeah. I want to be friends. I like you and Mom ne-needs someone.” He wiped his hand over his face, smearing the tears over flushed cheeks.

  “What makes you think that?” He hoped those words came from her own lips.

  “Cause I heard Aggie and Mom talking. Aggie said everyone needs someone and ‘cause you are friends and all.” His chest rose and shuddered with each hiccupped sob.

  “You know what, Leo? I screwed up. Yep, even adults like me make mistakes.” He led the boy to the step and they sat down side by side. Drew put his arm around Leo’s shoulders and held him close.

  “I like your mom a lot. I always have. But last night I made a mistake and I need to try and fix it.”

  Leo turned a tear stained face up to Drew. “You mean like our dad did?”

  “No, not quite.” How do you explain family violence to a child? “I should have told your mom why I took that lady home, and then maybe she wouldn’t have got so upset with me.”

  “Mom said you should always tell the truth, even if it hurts.”

  “She’s right. I think I need to have a word with her. Tell her my side of the story.”

  Leo nodded his head in agreement. “You didn’t hit her though. Dad always did.”

  Drew stiffened. Her husband hit her? Why hadn’t she told him that? No wonder April was holding back from getting too involved. It also explained the way she flinched at the sound of loud voices. That one comment told him a lot about her. He thought quickly. The relationship he was building with Leo was at stake here as well as the child’s mental health. Plus, he didn’t want Leo to think he couldn’t come to him with problems. Deal with Leo first then April later.

  Leo sniffed again. “Mom thinks we don’t know ‘bout what happened but we do. Tilly used to hide me under her bed when Dad got mad but we could hear it. I didn’t like when he hurt her.”

  “I’d never physically hurt your mom, Leo. And no man should raise his hand to a woman, ever. There’s no excuse for that, but I think your dad had problems and he thought it was okay. I’m sorry he wasn’t well and I’m even more sorry that you children had to witness his behavior.”

  “He was mean. I didn’t like it. I’m glad he’s gone.” His lips turned down at the corners, gave a tiny wobble.

  Out of the mouth of a child. Drew looked up at the sound of footsteps on gravel. April had come to a halt on the path just out of Leo’s vision. She looked shocked and he wanted to go to her, but couldn’t leave Leo in the state he was. He hoped she understood. They could talk about it later at work once he’d settled Leo down. Drew shook his head and indicated that she should go. He gave her a smile and waited until she understood then he started talking to Leo again.

  “It’s sad, Leo. Sounds like your father was sick and I’d say he didn’t get the help he needed. Perhaps if he did, he wouldn’t have hurt your mom.”

  “Why didn’t he?”

  “I’m don’t know. I sure your mom tried to talk to him about it, but perhaps he wouldn’t listen.”

  He seemed to think for a moment. “Would you listen if my mom told you to get help?”

  How to answer that one? The boy certainly knew how to put him on the spot. “Maybe, if I thought she was right, I would.”

  “Moms are always right. You should know that.” He heaved a sigh. “Are you still going to be friends with her?”

  “Of course I will. And if she’ll forgive me maybe we can get together for dinner again soon. I enjoy spending time with you all.”

  “So why did you take that lady home last night?”

  “Because it wasn’t safe for her to drive herself.”

  Leo thought it over. “Mom’s gonna be real mad at me.”

  “Why do you think that?” Drew was beginning to enjoy the conversation.

  “Cause I missed the bus and she’ll have to take me to school and then be late for work and you’ll get mad at her. She said she doesn’t have time for all that today.”

  Drew smiled. “You tell your mom I said it’s okay for her to drive you in today even if it makes her late for work. I’ll see her later when she’s ready and I promise not to get mad at her. Okay?”

  Leo slung his arm around Drew’s back and snuggled in for a hug. “I better go.” He stood up, wiped his hands over his face again, and grinned at Drew before he skipped down the steps. With a final quick look back, he raced up the pathway toward home.

  “Nicely done, son.” Atticus walked out of the house and stood watching Leo run up the road. “Now all you have to do is convince April that you’re the man for her. You’ve got the children on your side.”

  “You think?” He stood up, retrieved his mug from the deck. “I don’t think she’ll be quite so easy to talk around.”

  “Not giving up, are you?” His lips twitched, making his moustache waver.

  “Not likely. Sounds like you’ve changed your tune since last night. Sounded like you didn’t give me a chance in hell of getting her back.” He walked past his father and into the house.

  “Nope. I think you’re a good man, Drew. I’m just not sure you’re what April needs right now.”

  “Atticus. That’s not nice,” Gigi admonished her brother and poured herself a coffee. “Give the poor boy a break.”

  “Wasn’t meant to be nice. That poor gir
l has been hurt and doesn’t need any more pain. If Drew wants to make this work, he has some serious thinking to do. That’s all I’m saying.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  April snuck back home with tears in her eyes. Listening to her little man talk to Drew about his violent father broke her heart. She’d honestly thought that she’d been able to shelter them from most of the confrontations. It seemed she’d been very wrong.

  “Mom, what’s wrong?” Tilly stood at the front door watching her walk up the steps.

  April rubbed her hands over her face and tried to smile. “Sorry. I’m so sorry, honey.”

  “Mom, tell me what’s going on. You’re scaring me.”

  The look of fear on her face hit April and she reached out to her daughter. “It’s okay.” She hugged her close, regret that she’d never left her husband earlier almost swamping her. They stood on the porch hugging until Tilly pulled away.

  “Mom, tell me what’s going on. Why are you so upset?”

  “Let’s sit down.”

  “How am I going to get to school?”

  April shrugged her shoulders. “I’ll drop you both off today, don’t worry.” She eased her daughter into a chair and clasped her hands together and sat down beside her. “Leo ran down to Drew, upset that we aren’t together. He thinks we won’t be friends anymore.”

  Tilly pulled a face. “Why would you after that lady showed up last night?”

  “Honey, it’s a little bit more complicated than that. I work for Drew and even though we grew up together, it doesn’t mean we should be together now. We’re friends and that won’t change no matter what.”

  “Okay. So why are you sorry then? I don’t get it.”

  “Because Leo told Drew that you hid him under the bed when your dad got violent.” Even saying the words brought back the pain and she wanted to flinch instinctively.

  “I couldn’t let Dad hurt him too.” Tears welled in her eyes. “Mom, I didn’t know what else to do.”