Indelible Love Jake's Story
Page 34
“I wasn’t looking for Ollie. He came looking for me. It’s a long story, Jamie. Maybe one day when we’re in a different place I’ll explain it to you.”
Dumbfounded. That’s how Jamie appeared.
“Liv, he looks just like you. And, where did the name Oliver come from?”
I chuckled at the inside joke. Only if you could see that your son is a mirror image of you. From the day he was born, I understood I would never forget your face.
“I guess we’ve lived together long enough to start looking alike,” I answered with slight laugh. “As for his name… he came with the name.” I was on a roll with these lies.
Jamie looked to be buying every misinformation. We stopped talking as we sat in the booth with pizza in hand.
“Ollie, what’s your favorite food?”
“Pizza.”
“What about your favorite toy?”
“Firetwucks,” he answered with his mouth full.
“Are you in school yet?”
“I’m going to start kindergarten soon, Mommy says. Right, Mommy?”
“Yes, sweetheart,” I answered wiping down his mouth.
“Any favorite places you like to visit?”
“The zoo – that’s my favorite place in the whole wide world. I like sleeping in my mommy’s bed a lot too. That’s my favorite place but I can only do that on special days Mommy says.”
Jamie and Ollie looked smitten with one another. Blood was thicker than water.
“I used to love the zoo when I was little. That was my favorite place, too. Maybe we can visit the zoo in Central Park? Would you want to do that with me, Ollie?”
Our son looked up at me with expectant eyes. He wanted to go but didn’t know if I’d let him. My silence kept Ollie quiet as well.
“Oliver, if you are almost five, when is your birthday?”
“Tomowow.”
“Tomorrow? Happy birthday. I’ll have to get you a present. What would you like?”
“To see my Daddy. Mommy says I’ll see him one day. I hope it’s tomowow.”
Ollie’s request left us both speechless. I pulled our son from his chair and brought him onto my lap.
Hugging him, I reassured, “Ollie, your daddy is missing you too. You will see him soon. If you’re done, let’s say thank you to Mr. Hutchison and go home. It’s time for a nap.
“Thank you, Mr. Hutchison.” He yawned and was ready for a long nap. I picked him up and carried him out the door.
“Thanks for lunch, Jamie.” Without saying much else, I walked towards the subway. I felt Jamie walk behind us but neither of us uttered a sound. As I shifted Ollie’s drowsy body Jamie came up from behind and carried our child to the subway. Silently we waited for the train to approach.
“Olivia, can we go somewhere and talk? I have so many questions for you. Like… where you’ve been the last six years. Why you’ve never tried to contact me. Did our relationship mean so little to you that you could abandon it after one argument? And, where’s your husband? Did you two separate?”
My words and the tears stayed hidden.
“Are you going to disappear again without a trace? Will you at least take my number and call me? I’ve missed you. It’s been so long… too long.” He laid a heavy burden on my heart. I wanted his number, his heart, his commitment to me and Ollie. This could never be.
I took Ollie from his father and stepped into the train.
“Wait!” He held my arm. He slipped his business card into my purse and said, “Please call me. We need to talk.” He sounded desperate now.
“You made yourself clear to me the last time we spoke. I don’t want to be your ‘burden’. Hope Melinda is well.”
With perfect timing the door shut and I sat with
my back against Jamie’s face. I heard the banging on the window but my crying eyes didn’t turn around. Hugging our son tightly to my chest I cried all the way home.
Carrying Ollie from the station to my mom’s house, I was lost in my own thoughts of what had transpired today.
“Olivia!” My mother yelled. “Wait up.” I turned to see her hastily walking towards us. “Have you been walking with Oliver this whole time? Here, give him to me.”
My mom looked up at me in fright. “What happened to you? Why have you been crying?”
“Ollie and I ran into Jamie at the park today. What am I going to do Mom?” The tears fell even heavier.