Chasing Him (Dark Love 4)

“What does he say?”

“Just this and that.”

“Hey, what about girl code? C’mon, tell me.” I try to persuade the information out of her.

“I promised I wouldn’t tell, but let’s just say you complete him.” She smiles.

“I complete him?”

She nods. I stare out into the pond, watching Julian sit beside Andy as they throw bread at the ducks. I excuse myself from Penny and make my way down to spend some time with them. My footsteps are faint, and I stop not too far behind and listen to their conversation.

“That big duck’s name is Fatty, and that’s his daddy over there.”

Julian chuckles, allowing Andy to continue talking.

“Do you know my daddy works in heaven?”

“I do know that. Heaven is a very special place. I have a friend who works there, too.”

“Do you think your friend has seen my daddy?”

“Maybe. It’s a very big place.”

Andy turns his head to face Julian. “Have you seen my daddy?”

“A very long time ago. He looks just like you, kid.” Julian ruffles Andy’s hair.

“Daddy gone makes Mama cry. I don’t like Mama crying.”

A lump forms in my throat. Andy had seen me cry several times. I never realized how my emotions impact him thinking that because he’s young, he won’t understand.

“It’s okay for your mama to cry. She just needs extra special hugs.”

“I like giving hugs. Uncle Lex always hugs Mama when she cries.”

I make a small sound causing both of them to turn around. Julian smiles reassuringly as I sit on the other side of Andy. Andy begins to talk about the ducks telling us the story about the family. Jesus, my kid can talk for hours. Julian doesn’t mind, though, asking questions Andy loves to answer.

“Mama, can I ask Hazel for some chocolate chip cookies?”

I nod, and without a goodbye, he runs back up the hill. I watch him until he is safely in Hazel’s arms again.

“He likes to talk,” Julian says.

“Much like me?”

“Like mother, like son.”

The ducklings are swimming behind their mother, and I watch in merriment as they nibble on the leftover bread floating on the water. “It’s beautiful here.”

“You’re beautiful here,” he says.

I rest my head on his shoulder. Underneath our legs, he entwines his fingers into mine.

“You’re really great with Andy.”

“You’ve done a great job raising him, Adriana.”

“It’s hard. I won’t be in the running for Mother of the Year. I’m just doing the best I can.”