Chapter Nineteen
Sarah had been home three days, Alex had run to her, jumping into her arms, a child’s innocent love was enough to soothe any heartache she was suffering. He hadn’t slept in her bed in a long time but she found herself letting him climb in so she wouldn’t be alone in the dark thinking about Adam.
After work on the fourth day, she picked Alex up from after-school care. He was animated and excited to be leaving, they were having dinner at Penny and Asald’s. “Do you think birdman will finally take me flying? Christian has gotten to go a bunch of times, I want to go.”
“I think it’s cute you still call Asald the birdman but we’ve talked about this, people can’t fly.” She smiled down at him as she brushed his hair out of his face.
“Yeah huh, I’ve seen him.” His little eyes grew huge at something behind her. “Mommy look, that man looks like a baseball.”
Sarah turned and found Adam standing a few feet away, she could see why Alex said he looked like a baseball, his scars did match the seams of a ball. She stood silent, in shock that he was actually here in the city. Other people had noticed him too, she was growing angry at their stares.
Adam ignored them, he only had eyes for her, she could see the uncertainty on his face. She wanted to let him keep guessing if she was mad for a few more seconds. He was wrong the night of the party, she hadn’t meant any harm and he had attacked her for no reason.
His eyes slid down to the little boy holding her hand before looking back up at her, “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you had a son. I should have called but the guys gave me Asald’s address and he told me where to find you.” He glanced down at Alex again, “I’ll go, I’m sorry.”
Her stomach dropped at the idea of him walking away, “Adam wait,” She reached out and grabbed his arm. “Please don’t leave.” Sarah kneeled down next to Alex. “Alex, this is my friend Adam.” The little boy held his hand out, waiting for Adam to shake it like Asald had taught him. Sarah’s chest swelled with pride that he wasn’t scared by Adam’s scars, he was her grown up little man.
Adam kneeled down so he was eye to eye with Alex, he grabbed his hand firmly and shook it, “It is very nice to meet you.”
“Mommy, can Adam come with us to Asald and Penny’s?” He glanced up at Sarah.
“If he would like to have dinner with us he is welcome to.”
Alex glanced back to Adam, “Aunt Penny makes the best macaroni and cheese, do you want to come with us?”
“Well if it’s the best how can I say no?” Adam stood up, “As long as you are okay with it?” He waited for Sarah to nod. “I have my car, I’ll follow you.”
Butterflies danced in her belly, she put Alex in his booster seat and left. This was not how she expected her day to go. She was still in shock he not only left the relative safety of his town but also had been standing in broad daylight in front of strangers all to see her.
“I like him, mommy.”
Sarah glanced at Alex in the rearview mirror, “I do to baby. I do too.”