Shelly
“Mommy, wake up. Someone is ringing the buzzer.” I groan as I roll over to see that it’s after ten. Shit. I slept a lot later than I wanted to. I hear the buzzing and see the concern on my little one’s eyes.
“I’m sorry, buddy.” I climb out of bed, throwing my robe on, and hurry to the door. Brea must have left for work already. “Who is it?” I press the speaker button.
“Delivery for Ms. Shelly Lawson.”
I press the button to let him in, and a few minutes later there’s a knock at the door. When I open it, the man backs away from the door, revealing the flowers he’s carrying.
“Sorry.” I sign for the flowers, thank him, and quickly close the door, locking it back up. I don’t live in the best neighborhood, but it’s all we can afford right now. Even with Brea’s help things are always tight. I made sure to install extra locks so we could feel safer.
Ryker follows me to our tiny dining room table. “Mommy, who gave you those?” he asks, full of curiosity.
“Well, buddy, Mommy needs to open the card, but I believe they’re from Mikey.” He climbs up on the chair, really excited to see who they’re from. Pulling the card from the envelope, I discover that I’m right. They’re from Mikey.
Hey beautiful,
I can’t wait to have dinner with you and Ryker tonight. I’m really excited to finally meet him.
Mikey
“What’s it say, Mommy?” I turn to my son, thrilled that he can’t read yet.
“They are from Mikey. He’s really excited to meet you tonight.” I ruffle his curly hair. “Now you go play and I’ll get you some breakfast.” He jumps down from the chair and runs to his room to play with some of his toys. He’s a smart kid and well behaved. I consider myself quite lucky. I watch from the kitchen as he pops a DVD into the player I have set up in his room. I can’t afford cable, but I try to pick up movies for him here and there when I can. He’s never known a life with cable, so he has no idea what he’s missing.
Grabbing my phone, I head into my tiny pantry-style kitchen to put on some coffee. I’m dog tired and I need the caffeine to get through the day. I promised Ryker I would take him to the park a little later. Once the coffee is going, I check my phone to discover a text from Mikey, thanking me for the text last night letting him know I made it home. I glance over at my flowers. They’re gorgeous pink roses in a beautiful vase. I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone send me flowers before.
Shelly: Thanks for the flowers, they’re gorgeous.
I start rummaging through the cabinets to see what I have that I can whip up for breakfast when my phone chirps.
Mikey: You’re welcome. I’m sorry, but they’re nowhere near as gorgeous as you.
Shelly: *blushing*
Mikey: I really am excited for dinner tonight.
Shelly: Ryker seems excited too.
My phone begins to ring in my hand, causing me to jump. “Hello.”
“Did I scare you?” he asks when he hears me exhale a deep breath.
“Yeah, I was waiting for your response when the phone rang.” I lean against the door frame and sip my coffee.
“Sorry. I just wanted to talk about Ryker for a second. Are you sure he’s ready?”
I roll my neck, stretching it. “I think so. You have to realize he hasn’t had a man in his life in a long time, but he knows I’ve been seeing you. I tell him I’m out with a friend, but I think he’ll be fine.”
“Okay. I’m excited, but I don’t want to rush him either.” He sounds nervous and I think it’s sweet that he cares about my son.
“Mommy, I’m hungry,” he calls out.
“One second, buddy.” I cover the phone with my hand and shout to Ryker before turning my attention back to Mikey. “Listen, I love that you worry about my son, but I wouldn’t bring you around if either of us wasn’t ready.”
“Okay, well I better let you go so you can feed him and I’ll see you a little later.”
“Sounds good.” I end the call.
I quickly get Ryker breakfast. Once he’s settled I run off to my room to go through my closet. I’m so excited to see Mikey again tonight. I want to figure out what I’m wearing and then iron some clothes for my son.
***
Mikey is due here in five minutes and I’m pacing the living room a nervous wreck. I have Ryker dressed in a pair of dark jeans and the only polo I own for him and I’m wearing a pair of leggings with a rather short sundress and some flats.
Mikey hasn’t been to my house yet. This is the first time I’m letting him pick me up. I’m anxious because I’m sure my place doesn’t even remotely compare to his. When the buzzer rings, it scares the ever-loving shit out of me. I know it’s Mikey, but I call down anyway, checking before I push the button to let him in. A few minutes later he’s knocking at the door. Ryker runs for it but I stop him. “Freeze, mister! Don’t you dare open that door.” He looks down, sad that I’ve busted him.
“I wanted to answer like a big boy.” His words are pouty.
“I know you do, but you can’t do that just yet, okay?” He gives me a small nod and stands to the side while I open the door.
“Hey, come on in.” I try to move so he can step in, and that’s when I realize that Ryker is glued to my leg. “What are you doing? You’re not usually shy.” I squat down to pick him up, but he buries his face in my neck. It’s in that moment I realize he didn’t know Mikey was a man. We’re always around other women. I turn to Mikey. “Will you excuse us a second?” Mikey looks concerned but gives me a slight nod.
I take Ryker to his room, taking a seat with him on my lap. “What is it, buddy?” He shrugs his shoulders, but says nothing. “Are you nervous to meet Mikey?” He nods slightly. “Is it because he’s a man?” Ryker shrugs his shoulders again. I feel bad I hadn’t thought about the fact that he hasn’t been around other men other than Eric since we ran. “Listen to me, buddy.” I pull his chin, forcing him to look at me. “Mikey is a nice guy. Mommy has spent a lot of time with him, so I could make sure it was okay for you to meet him.” I can feel the tension starting to slip from his body. “What would you say if I promise to stay with you the entire time we’re with him? Give him a chance, okay?” He smiles and nods his head. “That’s my boy. Now, when we go out there, can you show Mikey you’re a big boy and say hello to him?” He nods again and climbs off my lap, but holds my hand tight as we walk back to the kitchen together.
“We’re going to try this again. Mikey, this is my son, Ryker.”
He holds out his hand to shake hands with Mikey. Mikey squats down in front of him and holds out his hand. “Hey, little man.”
Ryker gives him a small smile. “Hello, Mikey.” His voice is soft and raspy. I’m not sure if Mikey picks up on him being slightly shaken.
Mikey gives him a warm smile. “Are you hungry?” Ryker nods. “How does a burger and some fries sound?”
“Good.” He’s is starting to loosen up a little.
“I’m so glad, because I know this great little burger place. Their burgers are really good and you can even get a milkshake, if Mom says it’s okay.” Ryker looks up at me with hopeful eyes. I give him a warm smile and nod, causing his smile to grow a bit more. “Well, we better get going then.” Mikey stands.
I grab my purse. I’m about to grab the car seat by the door, but Mikey beats me to it and leads the way down to his SUV. He opens the back door and then turns to Ryker. “Can I pick you up and put you in?” My son nods. He puts him in the back and gives him a high five and then buckles his seatbelt. Mikey jumps into the driver’s seat, turns to me and winks as he starts the SUV. The car falls silent as he drives off. I turn to check on Ryker, who is bouncing his feet to the music playing on the radio and looking out the window. I can’t help but wonder if he’s bouncing because of nerves or because of the music. I turn back to face the front to find Mikey stopped at a red light and staring at me.
“He’s a good boy.” I feel the need to defend his actions. Mikey doesn’t know how bad we’ve had it.
“I’m sure he is. He has a good mom.” The light turns green and he continues on his way.
I fall quiet, thinking about our history. I can’t help but wonder how much I should tell him and where do I start. Ryker has been my entire life since the day he was born. Even when things were grim, I always put him first and I need to continue to do that.
“Hey, we’re here.” Mikey puts his hand on my leg, pulling me from my thoughts.
I slowly turn to him. “Sorry.”
“Are you okay?” His crystal blue eyes are full of concern.
I nod. “Yeah.” My voice comes out in barely a whisper.
I watch as he stares at me, wanting to say more, but the trance is broken by my son. “Mommy, I’m hungry.”
Mikey jumps out of the SUV and opens the back of the car. Ryker pushes the button on his seatbelt and climbs over to Mikey, taking his hand and jumping down. He runs to me when he sees me round the back of the car. I’m proud of him for really trying to give Mikey a chance. The three of us walk up to this diner that looks like it's straight out of the fifties, and when we walk through the door, we’re instantly taken back in time. The floors are black and white tile, the booths are all red, and there are neon signs everywhere. They even have an old jukebox along the back wall.
“Hey, Mikey’s here!” an old man shouts from a small window behind the counter.
Mikey gives a wave. “Hey, Mac. How are you?”
The guy nods with a smile and continues going about his business as we slip into a booth. “You see that man back there?” Mikey points to the man behind the window.
Ryker looks over at the old man and then nods. “Yeah.”
“I have known that man almost all my life. When I was young, he gave me a job and told me I needed to work hard so I could make something of myself. I listened, and now I own my own business, just like him.”
Ryker looks at the man and then back at Mike. “Is he your daddy?” He looks confused.
Mikey chuckles. “Nah, little man.” Mikey goes silent for a second. “I didn’t really know my daddy, but I was lucky to have a guy like Mac come around and show me how to be a man.” Mikey winks at me. “Now how about we order you that milkshake?” Mikey changes the subject after giving me that little glimpse into his life and Ryker claps excitedly.
A waitress comes over and my son says, “I get to have a chocolate milkshake.”
The woman laughs. “Well, you are one lucky boy.” She turns to me. “What can I get you?”
“I’ll have a diet soda please.”
“And I’ll have a chocolate shake like the little man.”
She writes on her little notepad. “Sounds great, now do you folks know what you want to eat?”
“A cheeseburger!” Ryker shouts out.
“Ryker, indoor voice, young man,” I scold, and give him a stern look that tells him I’m serious.
He blushes. “Sorry, Mommy.”
“We’ll both have cheese burgers, please.” I look up at the waitress, who then turns her attention to Mikey.
“I’ll have the bacon cheeseburger, please.”
As soon as the waitress walks away, Mikey turns his attention to me. “So. I know you’re going to med school, but what kind of doctor do you want to be?”
I smile, happy that he’s brought on easy conversation. “I want to be a pediatrician.” I look over at my son, who is happily drawing on the mat with the crayons the waitress dropped on the table. “I love kids, and after what Ryker went through…” My words trail off. “Well, I knew it was for me.” I wish I could look him in the eye, but I fear if I do he’ll question it further.
“Tell me about him.” He nods in Ryker’s direction, sounding sincerely interested.
“He’ll be starting kindergarten in the fall. He turned five on September fifteenth, so he missed the cut off to start school last year.”
Our conversation is interrupted by milkshakes and food. Ryker looks really excited as the woman places a small paper cup down with a cover and a straw that contains his milkshake. “Can I get you folks anything else?” We both shake our head no and she walks away.
“Do you want me to cut your burger, buddy?”
“Yes, please.” He looks up at me, his chocolate brown eyes glowing.
It’s a pretty big burger for a kids’ meal, but I cut it in half and he digs in, taking a huge bite. We’re all quiet as we work on eating our meal, but I can feel Mikey’s eyes on me periodically. The food is quite delicious and the servings are huge. I can’t believe the amount of fries that are on my plate. The burger is juicy, but not messy like some burger joints.
“Mmm. This is really good.” I push my plate away and wipe my mouth. I look over to see Ryker is still eating and has nearly finished his burger. He’s only eaten a few fries, but that’s okay, he has never been much of a french fry eater.
“I’m trying to get Mac to give me the secret to how he makes his burgers so delicious without them being overly greasy, but he won’t spill.”
“Damn right I won’t.” An older man comes walking over, pulling off his hat to reveal he has a head full of white hair. “Are you going to introduce me to this beautiful young lady?” He takes a seat from the table next to us and pulls it up to the edge of the booth.
“Join us, won’t you?” Mikey busts his chops.
“I would love to, thank you.” His light blue eyes are full of love, Mac plucks a fry from Mikey’s plate and shoves it into his mouth.
Mikey shakes his head. “Mac, this is my friend, Shelly, and her son, Ryker.” Mac sticks out his hand to me and we shake while Ryker gives him a shy wave.
The waitress comes back over and asks if she can get us anything else. My son lets out a yawn. “I think we’re good.” Mikey gives her a small smile.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. Thanks for bringing this guy by my place. Now that he’s made it big, I don’t get to see him much anymore.” Mac slaps Mikey on the shoulder.
“I wouldn’t say I’ve made it big, but I can hold my own now, thanks to you.” Mac looks at him with a sense of pride.
“I’m proud of you and you know that, but stop in once in a while, will ya?”
“What do you think, Ryker? Should we come back here for dinner again?”
“Yes, please.” His voice is starting to pick up. He’s showing the happy little boy I know and love. “That milkshake was yummy.”
“Yeah, what about that special burger I made you?” Mac points to Ryker’s near empty plate.
My son giggles. “That was good too.”
“Glad to hear it.” Mac smiles at him and the waitress returns with our bill. Mac tries to tell Mikey it’s on him, but Mikey refuses, leaving money on the table for the bill and tip.
I slip out of the booth, grabbing Ryker from the little booster seat. He snuggles into my neck and yawns again. It’s almost his bedtime and he was up early this morning, so I have no doubt he’s tired.
“Let’s get you home, little man.” We walk out to the SUV and I get him settled while Mikey starts the car. As soon as I’m in, he whisks us away.
A short time later, Mikey is turning onto our street and I ask, “Do you want to come up for a few?”
“Sure. I want to help you get Ryker and his seat upstairs anyway.” He shuts the car off, and as promised, he takes the car seat while I carry my sleeping son upstairs. As soon as we’re through the door, I tell Mikey he can leave the car seat where it was earlier and I take Ryker to his room. I slip his shoes and socks off and pull off his shorts. I’m a bit concerned he’s going to wet the bed, but I don’t want to wake him, so I deal with it by slipping a pull up on over his big boy underwear and tucking him in.
“Sorry,” I tell Mikey, pulling the door shut.
“You have nothing to apologize for. You need to keep doing a good job of taking care of little man. I respect that he comes first.” He takes a step toward me, I can see in his eyes he wants to come even closer, but he pauses and waits for me.
I look to the floor. “Thank you so much for dinner. It was really good, and Ryker seemed to have a good time.”
He takes another step, gently places his fingers under my chin, and forces me to look into his eyes. “I’ll see you tomorrow night for dinner at Logan’s?”
I nod. “Will you be picking us up?”
“You better believe it.” He plants a kiss on my lips. I instantly lick the seam of his and our tongues collide. It’s amazing what this man does to me. He makes me feel so good.
He pulls away. “Good night.” He smiles, presses a chaste kiss to my lips, and walks out the door. With a huge smile on my face, I start thinking about how far we’ve come already. I really like Mikey and I’m glad Ryker liked him too. It took him a few minutes, but he quickly saw that Mikey was a nice guy. I’m sure it will take him a little bit to fully trust him, but I’m willing to bet Mikey will earn it.
“You wouldn’t believe the hottie I just saw step off the elevator. Lord have mercy.” Brea pauses, noticing the huge grin on my face as she shuts the door. “What did I miss?”
“That hottie is Mikey, and he’s picking Ryker and I up for dinner at Logan’s tomorrow night.”
“Holy shit. I can’t wait to meet him. Girl, you caught yourself a good one.” My sister nudges me playfully. I can’t help but giggle as the two of us sit on the couch so I can fill her in on my night.