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“You’re right,” she says as her gaze strays to her daughter, still enjoying the exhibit as she learns more about her favorite creatures. “This is amazing, though, and I owe you big time.”
“You don't owe me anything. I'm grateful to be part of your life.” I mean the words with every fiber of my being, and I hope she can hear and feel the sincerity in me as I speak.
As Evie listens, I see her curiosity, hear her questions, and remember the excitement and wonders of childhood. I want, more than anything, to encourage her to follow the things they ignite in her soul, be it jellyfish or some other topic as she grows. And it dawns on me - I want to watch her grow up. I want to see who she becomes. I want to be part of both their lives.
It's a want that I'll have to hold on to for now. Right now, I know that they don't know what their future is going to look like until Methew decides what he wants to do. I can't believe she's being so kind and fair to him, given how much his actions and behaviors seem to bother her. But I’ll support whatever decision she makes one hundred percent.
“What if I sneak off over that way and get her a jellyfish T-shirt?” I ask Alisha.
“Her favorite color is blue.” Alisha’s words give me her blessing, and I make my way over to pick out a shirt with jellyfish embroidered on it. Then I grab another that says jellyfish expertand pay for both, asking for them to be put in a little gift bag along with a beautiful jellyfish lava lamp that uses light and projection to create jellyfish that dance around the inside of a glass tube filled with liquid.
I walk back toward Alisha with the heavy bag in hand. “Don't open it until you get home, please,” I say, transferring the handle to her hand as I watch Evie. It feels right being here and playing a part in creating a magical experience for her. As I slip my hand in Alisha’s, I realize this is how the perfect date goes. There's nowhere else I'd rather be and no one else I'd rather be with.
When we finally get back to my place, I recognize my mother's car in the driveway. “I guess she's back from the cruise.” I feel like a bad son for not knowing the date she was supposed to return, but then again, I'm not sure she ever told me. I’m her son, not her keeper, and she doesn't answer to me or anyone else.
Alisha has been glued to her phone and I can't help but feel a little bit worried. When I put the car in park, she turns the phone screen in my direction and I see the texts from Methew.
I want us to be together, like a family. You’re right, Evie does deserve to have me in her life. And I deserve her in mine.
As I read the words, my heart sinks, but I can see the expression on her face and know that she isn't buying what he’s trying to sell. Obviously, her gut is telling her something isn't quite right with these messages, and I agree with her.
“Trust your gut,” I say softly, and she nods before changing the subject.
“Do you want Evie and I to go home?” Alisha asks.
“That's up to you. You are more than welcome to stay if you'd like, or you can go home if you want to. I don't know what your plans for the day look like.” I smile at her in the passenger seat, then glance back at Evie. “I was going to ask you if they knew anything you didn't know, but I think you were teaching them by the end of that.”
She nods her head, very matter of fact, as if I'm correct and I chuckle. Alisha also glances back at her daughter. “Honey, do you want to stay or go home?”
“Stay!” Evie seems excited to spend more time together and that does my heart good. We all file out of my car and head toward the front door. I lift Evie up and tell her the code so she can punch in the numbers, with a little help from her mom.
We make our way inside and I catch up with my mother in the living room. Harvey is sitting comfortably in one of my favorite chairs and my mom opens her arms, walking in my direction.
“Welcome home.” I wrap my arms around her and give a gentle squeeze. “How was your trip?” I release her and settle down on the couch.
“I'm just going to grab Evie a snack if that's okay,” Alisha says.
I waive the dismissive hand at them both. “Help yourself to whatever you'd like.” I give Evie a covert wink. “I think there might even be cookies in the refrigerator.”
She nods her head in a knowing way and hurries off to the kitchen while Alisha gives me a stare. I lift both shoulders with an innocent expression as she follows her daughter, and I turn my attention back to my mom and Harvey.
“We had a lot of fun. And I may be here less.” My mom throws Harvey a significant smile before turning her attention back to me. “Which seems like a good thing. I'd like to hear more about this development.” She flicks the tip of her index finger between Alisha and me.
I smile, thinking about the changes in my life over the week my mother has been gone. “Things are going great.” There's not really too much more I want to share out of fear that I'll jinx this relationship. Now I know how much I enjoy them in my life, I'm afraid to lose them.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Alisha
Something about Methew’s sudden interest doesn't feel right.
I hesitate to say he’s not genuine, but something is just off. I can feel it in my gut. And now, at his place, we’re discussing a date for him to meet Evie for the first time. I’ve learned his kitchen is just as dark as the living room and wonder why he wants to live in such darkness. Even with the overly bright lights, the dark walls somehow seem to just swallow the light.
As I sit at the black kitchen table, I try to figure out why we can't manage to make our schedules line up. It seems like every time I have a date with time that's available, he doesn't, and vice versa. Maybe it's just not in the cards for this to happen.
He chuckles at me over his phone. “I'm guessing Friday’s out.” The amusement and his voice should have eased any stress I felt about the words, but instead I only found myself more uncomfortable as I check my calendar.
“I have to work that day and Evie has an eye appointment.” The more we talk, the more it starts to become apparent that I might have to have my mom bring Evie over. But I really don't like that idea. I don't want Evie to be without me when she meets her dad for the first time, and I don't want to put the burden of that responsibility on my mom.
