Page 91 of Unspoken Words
His arms shot out like wings, his body as stiff as a board. “Go, go go!”
Soaring high and low, I flew him one lap around the living room, a sharp turn into the hallway and another into the bathroom where I dove him to sit on the basin, toothbrush, and toothpaste waiting.
He picked up the brush and held it out, so I squeezed the paste on it and guided it into his mouth.
“I on’t want oo seep,” he mumbled, white frothy bubbles spilling down his chin.
“You don’t want to sleep?”
He shook his head.
“But you have to. And so does Daddy. I have a big day tomorrow.”
“I.”
“Why? Because I have to persuade a very special person to help Daddy make some songs.”
His eyes lit up, and he wiggled his tiny bum.
I laughed. “Yes, songs, but it’s not time for dancing. You can dance tomorrow, with Mummy.”
“Ummy?”
“Yep. It’s Mummy’s turn to pick you up from kinder.”
“Ummy!” He clapped.
“Okay, spit.”
Max turned around and spat his toothpaste in the sink, his aim far from successful. I didn’t mind, though, us boys were supposed to be messy. And I’d clean it up later, ready to start all over again next week. Why? Because I was a single dad with the best kid in the world.
*
Leaves crunchedand crackled undermy tyres as I pulled up alongside the curb at Ellie’s house and killed the engine of my truck. Chestnut trees lining the street had been stripped of their colourful spring and summer attire, hues of green, yellow, orange and red now blanketing the footpath and road below. I trembled, feeling just as naked and exposed as the bare branches shivering in the wind.What if she says no? What if she refuses to open the damn door?
Glancing up at her house through the passenger side window, the pit of my stomach swirled like a tornado. Memories of times spent there as teenagers flicked across my mind. Familiarity. Sorrow. Regret. Each emotion twisted around the other, and I felt as if it were only yesterday that I’d walked up those very steps for the millionth time and knocked on her door, ready to go inside to just chill and be together. But it also felt like another lifetime, or a dream.
“She better bloody be here,” I murmured to myself, not in the least bit surprised if she’d packed her bags overnight and hightailed her stubborn arse back to the airport first thing this morning just to avoid seeing and speaking to me. After the surprise I’d sprung on her yesterday, it was a very likely scenario.
Quickly hiding Max’s empty juice boxes and chip packets in my glovebox, I got out of the car, stretched my legs, and smoothed my hair back before turning and rounding my car where I stopped in my tracks.
“Shit! Hi,” I said, startled by Ellie standing there and waiting for me.
Bright red material clung tightly to her perfect tits, her shoulders exposed, denim crop jeans a second skin accentuating her arse. I swallowed and went to loosen a tie around my neck that wasn’t even there, instead scratching my throat like a dog with fleas. She looked hot, and tall, which I soon realised was due to a pair of shoes with really thick soles.
“I didn’t agree to this,” she admonished, her hands on her hips just like she used to do when we were kids.
It made me smile.
“And don’t do that,” she added, pointing to my face.
“What? Smile?”
“Yes.”
I laughed and leaned against the door of my car, arms crossed over my chest. “You haven’t changed one bit.”
Her defensive posture sagged, and she brought her psychedelic notebook close to her chest. “Oh, I’ve definitely changed, Connor.”
