Double fuck."I'm so sorry.I didn't mean to stick my nose--"
Simon cuts me off with a wave of his hand."She found a lump in her breast while she was expecting Ira.The doctors wanted her to terminate the pregnancy, so they could start treatment, but she refused.She was willing to die to have him despite only getting to be with him for a short while."
He looks ready to cry, and my heart aches.
"We hoped, of course.She started treatment as soon as he was born, but it was too late."
I swallow a whine.The world is such a cruel place.
"Ira's father was never in the picture.I don't know who he is, she never told me."
For a moment, I can't breathe."What?"
He gives me a wobbly smile."She wanted a child.It was her biggest wish.I suspect she went to a bar, hooked up with someone, and never told him.Not the best way to go about things, but..."He shrugs."Ira is here, and I'd never wish him away."
I stare."You're not--"
The sound of the front door opening cuts me off, and Simon turns to Ira as he enters the room."Did you find them all right?"
Ira holds up the papers.
"Did you lock the front door again?"
A nod.
"Let me put on the coffee, and I'll have a look."I escape into the kitchen while doing my best to keep a neutral look on my face.
Simon isn't Ira's father, or I guess he is, but not his biological father.Was he okay with his wife going to a bar to fuck strangers?Maybe he can't have children.His grief was real.It was there in the shattered look in his eyes, and how his scent changed when he spoke about her.
I do my best to stop thinking and get the coffee started.Oh no, I should've made dessert.I'm so stupid.We have to have dessert.
Opening the pantry, I scan the shelves.Nothing is good enough.I allow a low growl and grab some ice cream cones from the freezer.They're nothing special.Emergency snacks.
I hold the box out for Ira."I think they're different flavors.Chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla, maybe."I try to read the text without moving it away from his reach.
He grabs a strawberry, and I wave the box in front of Simon.
He shakes his head."I'm good, thank you."
I shrug and grab a chocolate cone before I put the pack back in the freezer.The coffee is about done, so I grab mugs."Milk?Sugar?"
"Milk, please."
I grab a carton from the fridge, then go back for the coffee pot.I watch as Simon pours milk into his coffee and memorize the color he prefers.Then I sit, peel the paper off my cone, and skim through the order form.On the top paper, the options are listed.I tap it."Are you in a hurry to get this back?"
Ira only stares at me, so I focus on Simon."I'm heading back home for a quick run tomorrow, so I can bring this to Zahrah, see if she wants any cookies for Christmas."She sucks at baking, and I know I can threaten her into buying cookies.
"You don't have to--"
"Of course I do.Leave this with me."I'd seen the look in Simon's eyes.This is important to him.
* * * *
Chapter 6
Simon
I should object.It's not fair to force Boris' friend to buy cookies, but a little part of me wants to melt into the chair.If there are three names on the order form--Boris, Zahrah, and me--I'm sure Ira won't stand out too much.There has to be some other poor kid in his class who doesn't have more than three contacts.
