7. Amusement park
Ava
“Momy, are you almost done?” Noah yells through my bedroom door “It’s almost time Vie
sie
going to be late.”
“Just give me a sec” I yell back as I quickly put on my outfit for the day.
Nowadays, I’m more comfortable with dresses, so that’s what I had on 1 had on a cute
sundress
with thin straps and that reached above my knees. I paired them with sandals. Since we
were
going to spend most of the time walking, I assumed they will be more comfortable.
My hair was in in a curled pony tail with loose tendrils framing my face. I didn’t have much
make
up on. Mainly because I felt too lazy to do it.
I didn’t want to do this whole thing. I easily get tired nowadays and I didn’t want to ruin
the day by
being worn out too quickly. The smile on Noah’s and Gunner’s faces is what made me
change my
mind. They were both so excited for this day.
Gunner needed this after what happened last week. He needed to feel loved and
treasured. I hoped
that being surrounded by those that love him will give him new memories. Memories that
would
replace those few painful ones of his mother.
I take my purse and open my door only to find Noah waiting for me outside.
“I’m ready. Let’s go”
Just as I finished the sentence, we hear a honk outside my house. I guess that both Calvin
and
Gunner were also ready to go
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Since were going to the same place, we saw no need for travelling separately. We decided
that we
would take Cal’s car since it was bigger and that he would be driving.
“I’m so excited…I’ve been waiting for this day since you agreed” Noah says as he gently
pulls me
down the stair while being mindful of my condition. “I even called dad yesterday. He was
sounded
funny, but I let him know that I won’t be home today”
I’m surprised that he called Rowan. He usually tells me when he’s going to call his father.
He
never mentioned it yesterday though.
At the mention of Rowan, I get an uneasy feeling. In the past months he has been what I
can only
1/3
15 BONUS
persona
Pushing thoughts of him aside, I focus on the day ahead
We get out of the house and Noah rushes to Cal’s car. I follow behind him once I’ve locked
the
door Climbing into the passenger seat, I smile at the father–son duo.
“Hello you two” I greet as cheerful as I can.
“Hey Ava!” Gunner screams with excitement.
Cal smile back at me “Hey”
We all buckle up and then Cal starts the engine and drives off.
Thirty minutes into the trip, the boys are still as excited as the first day we made these
plans.
They were so hyper that it was funny how they behaved.
“How long till we get there?” Noah asks, buzzing with joy while Gunner bounced up and
down his
seat.
“About forty minutes give or take” Cal answers.
They are quiet for a while before they start conversing on their own. Their talk mostly
consisting
of all the things they’re going to do while there. The games they’re going to play. The rides
they’re
going to try and the foods they’re going to eat.
“They’re really excited” Cal says, his eyes flashing to mine before going back on the road.
I chuckle. “That is an understatement. Noah barely slept last night and he when he did. He
was up
again at the crack of dawn ing me up like there was a freaking apocalypse”
%
He laughs at that. Real laughter. I stare at him in wonder. Unable to tear my gaze from
him.
“What is it?” he asks when his laugh dies down.
I shake my head to clear my thoughts. “Nothing. I’ve just never heard you laugh like that
before.
You should laugh more often. It suits you”
The smile he had earlier disappears. He was back to being unreachable and detached.
I really needed to help. Show him how to live. Whoever Gunner’s mom is, sure did a
number on
both father and son. I’m only grateful that Rowan only hurt me. I don’t know what I would
have
2/3
+15 BONUS
We drive in silence after that Mostly it’s the kids that engage us in their conversation.
Those two
surprised me at how in sync they were with each other. They were even finishing each
other’s
sentences which Calvin found hilarious.
Soon we get to our destination. We get out of the car immediately Calvin finds a parking
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“Where to first?” Cal asks as we faced the gate to the amusement park. There were
probably
thousands of people walking about.
“The rides, definitely” Noah and Gunner chorus together.
The faces were split into wide grins and their eyes were shimmering with excitement.
“The rides it is” I grin and take both their hands as we head into the sea of people.
About two hours later, my legs were aching, but I was happy. I take a seat by the bench
and watch
as Cal, Gunner and Noah play around.
Rubbing my feet I can’t help but turn wistful. This is what I always wanted for me, Noah
and
Rowan. I always wanted us to do such fun things together. Every time I broached the
subject,
Rowan would turn me down.
He always said that he didn’t mind spending time with Noah, so long as I wasn’t there to
ruin their
moment because my presence disgusted him. 2
It hurt as always, but I swallowed it down. Except that vacation we went to as a family,
and which
Noah insisted. We never did anything as a family. It was always either Rowan and Noah or
Noah
and me. Never the three of us.
“I don’t like another man p.
his voice.
ig dad to my son” I sit frozen, unable to believe that I’d just heard
It’s like my thoughts had conjured him out of thin air.
Yeah. I should have definitely listened to my brain when it told me that Rowan was
probably
going to show up. This was sure going to be a fucking disaster.