The way he speaks about a man he doesn’t even know is nice to see. He’s just a little kid, still filled with hopes and dreams.
“And she’s right,” I reply, trying to keep his spirits up. If Becca is telling the truth about a random one-night stand being the father, then the odds aren’t looking good for Damian to ever meet him.
“I think he’s a superhero, and that’s why he can’t be with me, cuz he’s saving the world.” I smile as he speaks, but I can’t help but feel sad for him and for Becca.
Whether it be a random hookup or something bad happened, it’s not fair to either of them. Not wanting to push him too far, I switch the subject and ask him about other hobbies he has.
It quickly turns light as he begins chatting nonstop about his favorite spot to camp with his grandpa and how they go on hikes and fish. I find it so easy to talk with him, especially because he has all the same interests I do.
“And, Mom is taking me away this weekend to meet Santa. She said it was called Christmas Wonderland.”
My eyes perk up because I know exactly what he’s talking about. It’s where I took her for lunch the other day. Suddenly, something clicks in my head about that date. When she said Damian’s name and then ran off, she was talking about him.
Why was she hiding having a kid? It still doesn’t make sense, unless she was worried about that detail of her life scaring me off. That’s the only thing that could possibly make sense.
Maybe it was embarrassment because it was a mistake, or maybe things ended worse for her than she let on. Did the guy skip out on her when she told him, or did he die? The questions keep swirling in my head.
As lunch rolls around, Becca steps back into my office and tries to take Damian to find something to eat in the vending machine, but I have a better idea.
“Why don’t I get us all lunch, and then Damian can show you his new tricks?” I ask, and I’m expecting her to turn down the offer, but she accepts, taking a seat across from me.
It only takes twenty minutes for the food to arrive, and Damian immediately digs into his chicken tenders with french fries while I scarf down my Italian sub.
My heart melts as Damian shows Becca all the cool tricks he spent all morning learning, and she cheers him on. Watching them interact is beautiful. It’s evident that having him changed her life for the better.
Her life is all about him now, and it’s incredible to witness the love between them.
She’s an amazing mother.
Once lunch is finished, she takes Damian with her as she continues her work. Now that my office is empty, my brain goes into overdrive.
The way she ended things still doesn’t sit right with me. And Damian is such a cool kid. Why wouldn’t I want to be a part of her life? He and I have the same interests, so we’d never run out of topics to talk about or activities…
If Becca is serious this time about wanting to be with me, I’m all in. I just can’t take her breaking my heart again, so I’m scared.
Rightfully so …
