Page 36 of Back to Willow

The doorbell rings as I defeatedly rush back inside, tears brimming my eyes, threatening to fall at any moment. Giggles and a deep chuckle immediately catch my attention, and my eyes widen, only to be met with a worried Shilah hugging Dylan, and Hannah giggling side by side with my teacher.

Any other day, I’d be composed, but this battered heart can’t take being scared like this, so I rush to them, ripping Dylan out of Shilah’s arms and crushing him against my chest.

“Where were you? I was worried sick!” My voice comes out shaky as I keep him in my hold for just a little longer.

“Stop,” he whines and looks at me with an angry face. “I wanted to pee and Hannah took me to the toilet inside. She said the one out here stinks.” He crinkles his little nose.

Ugh, I panicked for nothing. I checked the staff room, but I didn’t enter to check its toilets, not thinking about them in my frantic state of mind.

“Dylan, please don’t go anywhere without letting me know first. I thought you had disappeared.” I hug him once again, and he groans a muffled agreement.

His face settles on top of my shoulder as he adjusts before asking, “Who is that man?”

And that’s when I remember just who has been watching this whole show. My body tenses, and my brain spirals, going through the thousand ways he can taunt me from now on, having discovered Dylan.

But when I finally let go of my kid and turn around, facing him, he has an easy smile stretching his cheeks, the kind I have never seen before.

“Hey, buddy. I’m Arthur. What’s your name?” His husky voice speaks first.

It’s not the usual gruff dark voice he uses, no. While addressing Dylan, his tone is lighter, even playful.

“I’m Dylan.” He puffs his chest and extends his hand to shake my professor’s.

“I can see that.” He chuckles. “You caused quite a commotion here, young man.” He tuts, looking at me with a curious glint in his eyes. The cherry red of the blushing heat covers my cheeks under his intent gaze.

“My mummy worries too much. I was just at the loo.” Dylan attaches himself to my leg, suddenly shy.

“Yourmum?” Professor Adell glances quizzically at Dylan before he looks at me.

When our eyes lock gazes, his expression morphs into a shocking acknowledgement. Widened eyes and a slacked jaw tell me exactly what he’s experiencing. What I don’t understand is why. His mouth twitches as if he wants to stay something but can’t utter a word.

Well, I guess that for once, I’ve leftProfessor Prickspeechless.

TWELVE

Willow

Thecommotionofsearchingfor Dylan stalled the service, causing many people to be waiting for their food or their bill.

Great, more stress.

“Hannah, I will need your help, at least until it calms down a little,” Shilah tells her daughter. “I’m afraid you’ll have to wait a couple of minutes, sir,” she informs my professor. “All the booths are occupied and one is out of service, as you can see.” She motions to Dylan’s booth.

“Shilah, if you don’t mind,” I start. “I’ll stick to this side of the restaurant so I am closer to him. Is that alright?”

“Sure, dear.” She nods before turning back to Hannah while they agree on what to do and what to cover.

As I am about to go tend to a few clients, who are on the verge of finishing, Professor Adell finally speaks.

“I can look after him if you want.” His words stun me in place.

“Ahm, there’s no need,” I answer way too fast. “I–I’ll be around now. Thank you, though.”

“It’s not a problem at all,” he admits, shrugging his shoulders. “Also, I need a table to eat, and he happens to have one. We can keep each other company.” He scratches the back of his neck, clearly uncomfortable.

Is he even used to being with kids? I mean, he is a teacher, and I reckon that at some point, he has dealt with them…right? But his whole stance worries me. Is he being weird because he is uneasy with me, the kids, or the situation in general?

As his cheeks blush lightly and he looks away, I suppress a gasp. Is he…shy?

---