Page 52 of Always You
“You’re going to pay for this, Dominic,” she shouts. Her eyes bore into slits. Her heels crush the pavement as she stomps away.
sixteen
MILA
As I fold laundry, I keep pondering how to address the situation of telling Dante his father is alive. When there’s a knock at the door, the shock of finding the one person I despise—Rachel—fucking Rachel—I’m surprised the sourness in her face hasn’t aged her. She has a tall, slender figure, light brown hair, and olive-tan skin like her sons. She stands gloating over me. She glances over my shoulder as Dante plays with his toys. I shut the door. I don’t want this evil, crazy woman to see my son.
“What can I help you with, Rachel?”
Her mouth twists. The audacity of this woman showing up at my doorstep.
“I see you’re back in town. Pursuing my son all over again. You just had to come back; he was engaged to beautiful Samantha. You’re like a roach we can’t get rid of. A nuisance. It won’t take long before he leaves you. You’re nothing,” she seethes, grinding her teeth.
Bitch. I’m not a teenager anymore. I’ve grown thick skin. I keep my head held high, refusing to back down from the manipulator. Her sons always cowered behind her. I’m not them. She’s notorious for using mind games to control those around her, but I will not succumb to her tactics: I have no intention of giving her the satisfaction.
“Listen here, Rachel. This is where you’re wrong, your son pursued me back into his life. If your son wants out, that’s fine by me. I don’t need a man to take care of me and my son. You’re just pissed he chose us. Never step foot on my doorstep again. You’re not welcome. If you have a problem, take it up with your son. We have nothing to talk about.” My breath, heaves. I slam the door in her damn face.
Fuck, Fuck. Why does this woman loath me so much?
“Mommy, who was that?”
Sigh… My poor baby.
“No one, honey, wrong house.” My hands shake. How did she find out where I live?
My phone beeps in my pocket. It’s Nana. I text her for advice on how to explain to my son that his father is alive and kicking. He’s four going on five soon, so how do you explain such a critical situation to a child?
Nana:Tell him Dominic was in the hospital the whole time, and he got better.
I could tell him something similar. Yanking on my hair, I groan with frustration. I won’t let Rachel get under my skin. My insecurity hits me with a warning label. If what Rachel claims is accurate, will he leave? When the fire inside of us extinguishes, will he get his final taste before he leaves me? It’s been much too long; these may all be old sparks and wounds needing to be closed. The walls I built are crashing down a little at a time. I’m terrified of letting them all crumble. Once I do, I might regret it. The last thing I want is my son with a broken heart. That’s something I can’t live with. I can muster living with a broken heart I’ve done it before.
“What’s wrong, Mommy? Bad day?”
His beautiful face lights up my world, I kiss him on the cheek. Jesus, he looks just like his father.
“I had a good day just a little tired.”
He sighs “Me too, Mommy. I played all day, so tired.” What it is to be a kid.
“Baby boy, come sit here with me. I need to tell you something.”
He frowns. “What is it, Mommy?”
I sit him on my lap. I take a deep breath. “You remember how I told you how your daddy was in heaven?”
He nods.
“You see, your daddy was in hospital when you were in mytummy. I moved away with Nana and Uncle Roger. Doctors told me he went to heaven, but he really didn’t. When we moved here to California, I found out the doctors gave me wrong information, and your daddy didn’t know how to find me to tell me he was better. I saw your daddy. He actually lives here. I told him about you, and he’s so happy and wants to meet you.” My blood pressure is sky high; my pulse is speeding rapidly.
With wide eyes, he grins. My shoulders deflate, the tension dissipating.
“My daddy’s not in heaven?” His nose scrunches up. His beautiful brown eyes twinkle.
“No, baby, he’s not. I just saw him today.”
With a squeak, he jumps off my lap and screams. “My daddy’s alive. Mommy, can we go see him please?”
Awe, I can feel my heart melting. When Dominic asked for another chance, I realized sometimes we lose people in our life to find them again. We’ve been through a lot these past years. As much as the engagement and the other women irked me and the fact, he belittled me, I know I need to move on and start fresh, not dwell on the past. We need Dominic back in our lives. I won’t lie. I’m terrified of letting him in my heart. It’s easier to tell myself I’m doing this for my son. I’m not sure what our outcome will be.
