by Nita Johnson
She hummed quietly as she mulled over my answer. “Yeah, I can see your point. I like tattoos, I just hate pain.” She laughed.
“You’ve had kids! The worst pain a woman's body is subjected to!” I pointed out, letting out a laugh of my own, my hand now rubbing up and down her back. I loved the smoothness and softness of her skin. Being allowed to touch her for the rest of my life would be classed as an honor.
“That's completely different!” she retorted and slapped my stomach.
“Of course it is, sweetheart.” I rolled my eyes at her justification.
“Where are you going to stay when your aunt comes back?” she asked me hesitantly, afraid of what I was going to say.
“I’ll think of something, Willow. Wherever I end up I know I won't be there much anyway.”
Willow lifted her head off my chest so she could she my face. “And why's that?”
"Cause I plan on spending as much time with you and the kids as humanly possible. The more I’m around you all, the more I hate leaving you behind when I have to go.”
“Even Nan?” She laughed, her body shaking with silent laughter.
“Yep, even that hellraiser!”
I roll her over onto her back, eager to be inside her once more, the conversation forgotten for now.
“Come away from the window and sit down, Willow! You're going to wear a hole in the carpet if you carry on pacing around. He will knock on the door when he's here. You don't need to keep watch!” Nan reprimanded me sharply, the tone of her voice causing me to stop in my track.
Listening to her I took a seat beside her, furthest away from the window. Today was Saturday and it was drawing closer to the time that Rob had said he’d be here. Nate and Kaylee were both still in their rooms finishing getting ready.
“Is it bad that I don't want to him turn up?”
“I don't want him anywhere near my house and those children but we have to do what’s right here,” Nan grated out. The whole situation had really stressed her out. She hated Rob for what he had done to her family and every instinct inside her wanted to protect us, to keep us getting hurt further.
“Nate doesn’t want to go,” I told Nan as I wrung my hands nervously. We were going to have a hard time getting him to leave with his dad when he arrived. From the moment I told Nate that Rob had requested to see them it was like he had reverted back to the sullen angry little boy that had moved in here all those weeks ago. I had tried getting to the bottom of his sudden change in attitude but it was like getting blood from a stone. Jesse and Nan eventually talked me out of trying another attempt to get him to open up, both of them convinced he would tell us when he was good and ready. I really hoped that they would be proved right. I just wanted my boy back. I missed him terribly.
“If he doesn't want to go with Rob then we can't force him. Is Jesse coming over?” Nan inquired. The fact that she had called Jesse by his proper name cemented the fact that my Nan wasn't herself. She had taken to calling him pretty boy much to Jesse’s disgust, so hearing his given name fall from her lips made me pause for a second before I quickly gathered my thoughts.
“He’s had to run an errand. He said he would pop by later. In all honesty Nan, I think he's keeping his distance because he can't stand Rob.”
“Let's hope the little shit doesn't try to cause any trouble when he's here,” Nan grumbled, she had been warned not to go anywhere near him either.
“After you hitting him with a baseball bat and Jesse almost choking him, Rob would be pretty stupid to even try. I very much doubt he will even raise his voice.” I fidgeted in my seat glancing to the wall mounted clock.
“He should be here any minute now,” I pointed out to no one in particular.
Nan just gave me a grunt, instead trying to focus on the show that was playing on the television, this one about the toughest prisons in America. Shaking my head at her choice in television programs I got up and went to the window once more. Just as I pulled back the blinds I saw his car coming down the road.
“Showtime,” I said to Nan as I went to call the kids downstairs.
“Hello, Willow. How are you?” Rob asked as I opened the door to him.
“I’m great, thanks,” I answered him and gestured for him to come inside. I saw him hesitate. “She’s been told to be on her best behavior,” I informed him with a chuckle knowing full well that he was worried about my nan and what she could and would do to him.
“That's good to know, thanks.” He smiled as he stepped into the hall, waiting as I shut the door.
“Nate and Kaylee won't be long. I’ve asked them to put their shoes on.” I led him past the living room and toward the kitchen. The less time he was in my nan’s presence the better.
“That’s ok. I’m taking them out for lunch and perhaps to catch a movie if there’s time.” He took a seat at the table to wait on the kids.
“There's no rush, Rob. I don't have a certain time for them to be home. Drink?” I offered as I reached into the fridge to grab myself a soda. I wasn't thirsty but needed something to occupy my hands. It seemed strange to be around him and it put me on edge.
“No, thanks,” he declined politely, smiling at me.
He was acting very much like the Rob I knew and this did nothing to ease my nerves. After witnessing the asshole side of him I was even more wary around him now.
“How have they been?” he inquired, making small talk to pass the time.
I popped the can of my soda taking a long drink before putting the can down on the counter. “Good. They're both doing great at school and have settled back down now after what happened,” I trailed off shrugging my shoulders, not knowing what else to say to him. Small talk wasn't my thing, and to be honest, I didn't want to waste my time talking to him. I wanted him to leave as soon as he possibly could so getting into a conversation with him wasn't the greatest idea.
Kaylee came thundering down the stairs and barreling into the kitchen, jumping into her dad’s lap. “Missed you lots, daddy.” She kissed him on the cheek and burrowed into his chest. This brought a bittersweet smile to my face. I was so sorry to both of my children for them having to go through this since they both loved their father dearly but then I quickly reminded myself of why were we all in this mess in the first place and the smile fell from my lips.
Nate came into the room a few moments later. He made his way over to me, his head cast downwards not even looking to Rob as he continued by him to get to me.
“What’s up, baby?” I was puzzled by his behavior but worried also.
Nate stood in front me his head still down. I reached out a hand, tilting his head up so I could see what was wrong with him. I let out a loud gasp when I saw he had tears streaking down his handsome face, his anguish marring his lovely features.
“Nate?” I dropped to my knees and enveloped him in my arms. I looked up to see Rob had stood up, he made a move to come closer and I shook my head slightly, indicating for him to stay where he was.
“Don't make me go with him, mom,” he begged me quietly, his arms wrapping tightly around my middle. “I don't want to see him. Please say I can stay here with you and Nana.”
He sounded so wounded, so broken that it brought tears to my own eyes. “You don't have to go anywhere if you don't want to,” I told him as I met Rob's eyes, a silent message being passed between us- Nate wouldn't go anywhere he didn't want to and you weren't going to make him. Rob got that loud and clear.
“Nate, maybe you can come next time,” Rob piped up in an attempt to get Nate to look at him, to acknowledge his presence in the room.
Nate let go of me so suddenly I thought that I was going to fall backwards. He faced his Dad, his tears long gone, only anger could be seen now. “I will never go anywhere with you. You are no longer my dad. Kaylee might think you're the greatest but I know what you are,” he spat, hatred coloring his voice. Nate’s words shocked me, it was so out of character for him to be speaking this way.
Kaylee who was still sta
nding by her Dad looked stunned at Nate's words, just as Rob and I were.
This was hurting my baby and it had to stop.
“What’s all the noise about? Nate was that you just there?” Nan shouted as she too joined us in the kitchen. “You ok, child?” she questioned him as she moved closer to where Nate stood.
Nate kept the eye contact with his father never once backing down. “He has to leave, Nana. Rob needs to leave.”
“God damn it, Nate. I’m your father and you will treat me with some respect!” Rob shouted as he started over to him. Nan saw the anger on Rob’s face and moved her small body in front of Nate in a protective move. I got up from my position on the floor and stood beside her, putting Nate behind us.
“Just take Kaylee this time. I’ll have a talk with him, see what's bothering him.” I tried to defuse the growing tension in the room with my idea.
“No, Will. He's my son and if I say he's to come with me then he will come with me!”
“I will not go anywhere with a man who kisses ladies and makes my mom cry!” Nate screamed as he stepped around Nan and me putting himself in front of us both.
Rob staggered back, shocked by Nate’s outburst. “What are you talking about, Nate?” he questioned him. He sounded nervous and that had all my internal alarm bells ringing.
“You know what I’m talking about, Rob!” Nate spat out forcefully. “I saw you kissing Heather when Mom wasn't looking.”
“When was this, child?” Nan questioned him wanting to get to the bottom of it herself.
“When we had a barbeque in the yard. Heather said she would take some things inside and dad went to help her. I got ketchup down my new tee shirt and I knew you would be mad, so I thought if I could put it in to soak then you wouldn't get angry with me. I ran inside quickly and they were in the laundry room. She was sitting on the washing machine and they were kissing.” Nate turned to me. “I’m sorry, Mom. I should've told you but I didn't want you to cry.”
I gasped and stepped back. Realization of what Nate was talking about dawned on me. “I remember that. I shouted at you for being so clumsy! Oh, baby. I am so sorry,” I cried out, my heart broken for my little boy, for what he’d witnessed. This explained everything, the way he’d been acting, everything. And now it was time to do something about it.
I took Nate’s hand in mine giving it a tight squeeze as I faced the man who had caused my little boy so much pain and heartache. At that moment Kaylee ran over to her brother and slung her arms around his neck, their bond as tight as ever.
“Get the fuck out of this house, Rob!” I all but growled at him, my momma bear instinct in full swing. I had to protect my children, my babies, my lifetime, the reason for living for my existence in this world.
“I came here to see them-” he started but my daughter cut him off. My sweet innocent daughter put her Dad firmly in his place.
“Get out of this house, daddy, and I ain't sure if I ever want you to come back.”
Her words hit Rob harder than any I could have spat his way so he just nodded. With his cowardly tail tucked between his legs, he left our house without uttering another word.
I slid to the floor once I heard the door bang shut, pulling my children into my arms, never wanting to let them go again.
I’d told Willow that I’d had an errand to run so I wouldn't be around when the dickhead came to get the kids. I didn't have an errand to run, instead I was busy adding a small extension onto the house I’d purchased. This would be a place Betty could call her own if she ever decided she wanted to sell her home and live with us.
“You told her about this house yet?’ Travis asked as he put down his tools grabbing a sandwich out of the bag I threw on the workbench. Taking one of my own I ate it in two bites before answering him.
“Nope, not yet.” I hated keeping secrets from her but I reasoned with myself daily that this was a good kind of secret.
“You’re out here doing all this and she hasn't even said she would live with you? Hell you ain't even told her about it! What happens if she turns you down when you ask her to move in? Then all of this will be for nothing!” Travis ribbed me as he rooted in the bag for another sandwich.
“If you don't shut the fuck up then this meal will be your last,” I threatened him as I walked away, ready to get back to the job in hand.
Sure, I’d not told Willow about the house but I would, then dickface over there would be forced to eat his words when she finally agreed to move in with me. I knew my girl inside and out and I knew she’d be over the moon once she knew about the whole thing. I was convinced of it.
“Yo, J!” Travis bellowed. I turned around to see him pointing down at the workbench. “Your phone’s ringing, man. It’s Willow.”
It shut off as I picked it up but before I got chance to do anything it starting ringing again.
“Hello, Sweetheart,” I greeted her warmly. A huge smile broke out on my face, I had missed her these last few hours.
Her sniffling made that smile fall from my face. “What’s up?”
“Come home, Jesse, please. We need you.”
Jesse’s heavy footsteps thundered up the stairs. “What the hell’s going on?” He burst into my room but stopped dead when he saw my face and the fact I wasn't in here alone. Nate and Kaylee were curled up on either side me of me, both of them sound asleep.
“Shhhh,” I reprimanded him and he nodded sheepishly and backed out the room.
I carefully untangled my body from theirs and slid off the end of the bed trying my best not to wake them. They were both so upset when Rob left it took ages for me to calm them down. I’d still not processed anything that had come to light with Nate’s confession. I was waiting on Jesse for that. He’s my rock, he would help me and the kids through the rough times ahead.
I smiled up at him as I gently pulled the bedroom door shut. He was eager to know what was going on but I wasn't looking forward to having to tell him, to having to repeat it all.
“You're worryin’ me, Willow. Phone call outta the blue, then I find you three curled up like someone has died-” he trailed off then a horrified expression coming over him. “It’s not Betty? Damn, Will. Tell me she's ok?” He reached for me, pulling me into his warm embrace and for the first time in hours I felt like I could breath, that I didn't have to be the strong one for once, that no matter what I told Jesse he would be strong for me, for us all.
“No, baby. I’m sorry for scaring you like that. Nan is fine, she's just down the road with a neighbor. She gave me some time alone with Nate and Kaylee. I think it was hurting her to see them so upset and she felt helpless,” I confessed. Nan hated feeling like she couldn't help in some way but in this instance she couldn't do anything but give us space.
“What’s got my little people so upset that it chased the fearless Betty off?” Poor man, he really was confused.
“Come on, baby.” I broke away from him and took his hand. “You're not gonna like what I’m going to tell you,” I warned him as we both took a seat in the lounge. He wasn't going to like this one tiny bit.
“That motherfucker,” Jesse roared as he jumped from his seat. He looked ready to murder Rob. “That lousy fucking bastard.”
I jumped from my seat to position my body in front of his so he’d have to move me to get past and out the door.
“Move, Willow,” he ordered me.
I shook my head and pushed back against his chest. He wasn't going anywhere. I wouldn't let him risk his freedom on Rob. It wasn't worth all the hassle and it would hurt the kids more if anything happened and Jesse wound up locked away.
“Move out the fucking way, Willow!” he roared again but again I shook my head and pushed back on him. Jesse was big and he was built. If he was inclined he could get passed me, but I knew down deep he wouldn't risk hurting me in any way.
“Jesse?” A timid little voice called out as she entered the room and I saw the anger drain off his face. Kaylee had him wrapped around her little finger. My man w
as head over heels in love with my daughter and he would die protecting her.
As he dropped to his knees, I stepped out of the way so my daughter could see her best friend.
“C’mere, pumpkin,” he told her as he held his arms open for her. Kaylee didn't need to be told twice as she launched her tiny body into his arms and hung on for dear life.
“You ok, baby?” he asked her and she clung to him harder than before.
“I am now that you’re here, my bestest friend in the whole wide world.” Her voice was full of honesty that only a child could possess. I saw Jesse’s eyes move to behind me, his grey eyes filled with pain before they cleared again. He removed one of the arms he had wrapped around Kaylee and held it there.
“Come here, son,” he said and I turned in shock when I caught sight of Nate hovering just by the door, he too witnessing the scene between Jesse and his baby sister.
Faster than I thought possible Nate dove for Jesse as he gathered them both close to his body mumbling something to them that I didn't have chance to catch. They both nodded and hugged him harder. My eyes filled with tears at the scene playing out before my eyes.
This man had made a bad day better.
This man loved us dearly, any fool could see that.
And we happened to love him too.
My heart all but broke in two when I saw the look on my girl's beautiful face. That cocksucker had spread his joy again and this time his children had been in the firing line. My boy, Nate, had witnessed his dad with another woman and that made my blood boil. Nate kept it a secret for so long, he's just a child. He shouldn't ever have to do shit like that. Rob was a motherfucker and I wanted to pay him a visit. I wanted to make him hurt as he’d made my little people hurt but my name falling out of my pumpkin’s mouth had me falling to my knees. Then I saw how this could've played out, then I saw how differently my life would have been. Rob was a cocksucker who should have the fires of hell rained upon him but he wasn't worth it.