Page 46 of The Widower
“We’re late. Let’s go,” I blurted, suddenly feeling like it was my turn to be embarrassed.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Colin trying to hide a smirk—and apparently, I wasn’t the only one who enjoyed watching people squirm.
CHAPTER 11
“Sometimes just one sentence is enough to make us feel alive again…”
COLIN ADAMS
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had that much fun. Today had been… different.
Maybe I’m exaggerating, but Hanna actually made me laugh—real laughter—and I still don’t understand how she manages to break down my walls so easily.
Before heading back to my room, I noticed Joshua sitting on the couch, playing video games. I hesitated for a moment, wondering if it was a good idea to try talking to him, but I sat down beside him anyway.
School started tomorrow, and Isabelle had agreed to take him.
“Winning?” I asked.
“Huh?”
I nodded toward the soccer game on the screen.
“Yeah.”
“Looks like you’re pretty good.”
The truth was, I’d lost almost all sense of closeness with my son. We used to play together, but now I couldn’t even sit next to him without feeling like an intruder.I wanted to change that.
Just take the first step, Colin.
“Kind of,” he muttered.
“Mind if I watch?”
He shrugged. “Uh-huh.”
The next five minutes were filled with nothing but silence.
Part of me kept saying it was a bad idea to stay—after all, I hadn’t exactly been a present father—but I decided to ignore that voice tonight.I’d already broken a few of my own rules today.
“Why were you playing with that girl?” Joshua suddenly asked, catching me off guard.
“She was alone, and she asked me to.”
He instantly paused the game and turned to me, his expression shifting to anger.
“I don’t want a sister!” he snapped, tossing the controller onto the couch and trying to leave the room. This time, I didn’t let him.
“Joshua!” I grabbed his hand. “She’s Isabelle’s daughter. I’m not trying to give you a sister, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“But you like her.”
“Yes. Hanna’s a good kid—sweet, cheerful. You could try to be nice to her. I know you’ve been feeling lonely.”
“I want my sister and my mom!”
The sharpness in his voice hit me hard. For a moment, I couldn’t find words.
