Page 101 of Always You
I’m relieved. Maybe she just ran errands. How in the hell will I be able to explain this all to Mila if she runs? I’ll never get to see Dante.
* * *
Leaning against the wall, I wait for Dante to get out of school. Mila texted me and asked if I could pick up Dante, she had a client that was taking longer than needed. It surprised me, to say the least. She begged me to keep him safe. I assured her I would pick him up and take him for ice cream, then bring him home. I stopped at a comic store on my way to get Dante. Some stuff was not appropriate for his age, but I found a Spiderman stuffed toy, hopefully he doesn’t think it’s babyish.
At times he goes from being a five-year-old to a fifteen-year-old. It’s been three and a half weeks, maybe four since I’ve seen Dante.
“Daddy.” He leaps into my arms wrapping his arms around me.
I kiss his cheek, inhaling the smell of boy’s sweat mixed with Mila’s cherry coconut scent. Mrs. Hooker approaches me.
“Mrs. Amaro said you’re picking up Dante, is this correct?” She bats her eyelashes at me.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Great, have a good rest of your day.” She walks off as other parents approach her.
“Hey, buddy, I missed you so much. Man, you got taller,” I tease.
He grins. “I did, Daddy. I want to be just like you.”
That makes my heart swell. “Have you been listening to your mom and eating your vegetables?”
“Dad, I hate vegetables.”
I chuckle, trying to be serious, but failing miserably with his facial expressions. He crinkles his forehead, and his eyebrows knead together. Kissing the tip of his nose.
“Daddy,” he groans. “Put me down.”
“All right then, so how was school?”
“Good, I played and made a gingerbread house, then we had church.” He walks with his hands in his pockets.
“Sounds like a good day,”
“Daddy, Mommy’s been sad. How come you don’t talk to her?”
Shit, my chest squeezes, and my throat feels like I swallowed a mouthful of thorns. “Your mom’s strong; she’ll be okay.” I fist my hand, damnit.
The nuns greet us as we exit, waving us goodbye.
“Ready for some ice cream?” I ask, trying to avoid the topic of Mila.
“Yup,” he squeals.
Standing in front of Mila’s townhouse door, I kept my promise by dropping him off immediately. Appreciation fills my heart for the time we shared. I’m sweating profusely as we wait. The door swings open. I was expecting Mila to answer, but much to my surprise, Sophie stands at the door. I’m not sure if I should be disappointed or relieved when I don’t see Mila. I clear my throat.
“I came to drop off Dante.”
Her eyes dropped to Dante. “Hey, honey, say bye to your dad.” Her eyes darken with disgust and hatred.
Bending at the knees, I lower myself for a hug from Dante. I kiss his cheek. “Bye, buddy; I’ll see you soon. I love you.” Shit, I hate this, my heart breaks.
“Bye, Daddy, love you too.” He runs inside leaving me standing with Sophie.
My eyes skim the townhouse searching for Mila.
“She’s not here.” Her hard-as-hate eyes bore into mine.
