Last chapter for the week, I enjoy reading all comments and feedback. Here you go:
Chapter 3
“Riley and Reed, you two dressed and ready to go. I don’t want to be late!” Tiffany shouted from her room.
“We’ve been ready since fifteen minutes ago. You’re the only one who’s not!” Riley shouted back.
Tiffany walked down the steps. Her kids stopped dead and stare at her in awe.
“Oh god, what’s wrong? I look awful, do I?”
“No, no…no… you look beautiful Mom,” said Riley with a big smile.
“Like an angel,” Reed added and winked at Tiffany.
Tiffany smiled at them.
“Let’s get going. Uncle Mason will meet us there.”
“Welcome to the 30th Annual Charity Event. I am your host Jaime Kennedy. I would like to thank everyone for being present here. You have no idea how much it means to me and the children here. What we get in return today would be put to good use to these children, to have a better education and a better life. There will be games, races and auctions. We hope everyone stays until night fall and enjoy it with us. So thank you and let’s enjoy today.”
Jaime waved at the shout of her name from Tiffany. They have been acquainted through work from there became good friends. Their love for orphans and troubled children brought them together. They shared ideas and supported each other on how to make a better life for many of the children.
“You ready for the baseball game later?” Jaime asked.
Tiffany flipped her hair. “Totally, ready to kick some butts this year!”
“Where are the kids?”
“They went to say hi to their Pops and Nana.”
“Have you seen Mason?”
“Yeah, over there,” she chuckled and pointed out Mason who was the center attention of four men surrounding him.
“That man slut!” Tiffany screeched. “I need to put a leash around his neck.”
“Like that’s gonna work.”
Both girls laughed.
“Mom, Mom,” Riley shouted with a worried look on face.
“What is it?” Tiffany asked. “Where’s Reed?”
“He’s not with you? He told me was coming to you and I went to the restroom. Damn it!”
“It’s okay, sweetheart,” Tiffany started. “He’s probably here somewhere playing. Let’s split up and look for him.”
“I’ll give you two another hands,” Jaime said and set down the microphone as the three split up to look for Reed.
***
“Bastard, you got our friend Joey in trouble,” said the bigger boy with his two other friend surrounding Reed behind the corner of a booth.
“That’s right you bastard. No one messes with one of us!” said the second boy who gave Reed a hard shove in the shoulder.
The third boy walked over and spit on him and said, “Your Mom’s a whore and you are a bastard! You got no Dad because your Mom’s a whore who sleeps around! Your Daddy doesn’t want you because your Mom’s a whore!”
Reed wiped his face and shove at the bigger boy. He grabbed Reed by the neck, ready to strangle him. One moment Reed was almost out of breath than suddenly, he was breathing again. A pair of big strong hands lifted Reed away.
“That’s enough, tough boy!” Calvin dragged the bigger boy away.
“You okay?” Grayson asked Reed, whose eyes were trying to stay open.
“Okay,” Reed finally answered lifting up his gaze to Grayson.
It was as if he was looking back at his self, but a younger version. The little boy had the same shades of blue eyes and brown hair like his. Grayson’s hand slowly went up to the little boy’s face. The little boy looked at his hand and then back at him. How could it possibly be? Who is this boy? Why did he look like a younger version of him? The little boy only stares back at him with confusion.
Calvin kept the other three boys tuck behind his tail and looked over at Grayson and the little boy. The little boy. Calvin’s eyes widen and swore out loudly, “Holy shit! Why do I feel like we’re back in grade school and I’m looking at you, Gray?”
“Reed!”
Grayson broke the stare, pulled his hand away and fixed his gaze at Riley who came running towards them.
“Thank god you’re fine!” she cried. “Mom, Aunt Jaime, Reed’s over here!”
Riley went up to Reed and hugged him.
“Next time, don’t leave my side!” Riley demanded.
Reed glanced up at Grayson. He wandered why the man had the same eyes as his and why he looked so shock. It felt odd, but at the same time warm.
Finding his voice again, Reed opened his mouth and said to Grayson, “Thank you...”
Grayson continued staring at Reed trying to figure out how in the world someone could possibly look like him. It just didn’t make sense.
“Gray,” Calvin started, “how is it that this boy symbolizes you?”
“Reed.”
At the sound of that voice, Grayson whipped his head around. And there she stood, her big brown eyes staring back at him.
Tiffany. She hadn’t aged a bit. Her angelic face was still beautiful as ever. The length of her blond hair was longer and in beachy waves. Dressed in a white long summer dress, she looked exactly like the first time he met her. He was reminded of how much he missed her.
“Mommy,” Reed shouted.
Grayson’s question was answered.
***
Tiffany stopped at her track. He was here. His cool blue eyes were staring back at her. And he was still the very image she remembered. The color of his brown hair hadn’t shown any sign of white hair. He was still the very big broad shoulder handsome man. With both hands in his pocket, he stood straight and tall looking both powerful and dangerous in his black attire. This was the man she fell in love with. Why didn’t he grow a big belly? So she would have something to fuss over! She hadn’t imagined this day would ever come, maybe later on, but just not today. But then again, she was an adult now she reminded herself. She’s a thirty year old woman, a mother of two beautiful children. She could face him. But the butterflies in her stomach couldn’t help but betrayed her. This was making her anxious and sick to her stomach.
On her knees she hugged Reed and asked, “What happened?”
Witnessing the whole scene between mother and son, Calvin like Grayson had pretty much figured out who the little boy was. He laid his hand on Grayson’s shoulder to show his support.
“Joey’s friend gained up on me,” Reed answered.
Tiffany’s gaze slowly looked up at Grayson’s stare. His cold stare said it all. She closed her eyes and let out a breath. He knows.
Tiffany looked into her son’s eyes that looked exactly like the pair from a few feet away that’s staring at her, ready to murder her at any moment. Reed had his father’s hair, nose and smile. He inherited his father’s entire trait. He took after his father.
She cupped Reed’s face with both of her hands and said softly, “Mommy’s here now,” she stood up and turned to Jaime. “Can you look after Reed and Riley awhile I take care of some business here?”
Jaime nodded and motioned for Riley to come over.
After, the three left. Tiffany nervously looked up and looked past Grayson to the three boys.
“You three, come here,” she said snapping her fingers at them.
The three approached her nervously.
“How about doing some extra cleaning at the detention center so you’ll stay out of trouble? Or maybe better cleaning some toilets? The next time I hear you three gaining up on my son again you will answer directly to me. If you have a problem with my son, you come to me. Do you hear me or not?” she raised her voice and added a cold mean look.
“Yes, ma’ma,” they answered shivering at her stare.
“Go on and play, and stay away from trouble. If I catch you three bullying anybody again, you all will be doing four hours of cleaning at the detention center after school. Are we clear?” she announced.
“Yes, ma’ma,” they said and quickly left.
Tiffany watched as the boys left. She hated every moment Grayson stood there staring at her. He made her nervous, but she held her head high. She was a strong woman, she could face him.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were pregnant with my child?” Grayson spoke.
As if on que, Calvin took his leave.
The moment of truth Tiffany thought and sighed nervously.
“You have a son, his name is Reed and he’s five years old,” she answered calmly.
He stalked over, towering her with his six foot frame.
“And you’re just telling me this now after five years?”
“Yes,” she replied looking him right in the eyes.
He grabbed her by the shoulders, pulling her closer and narrowed his angry eyes at her. She wasn’t going to squirm she reminded herself.
(Up next, Mr. Smith gives Ms. Winters two options...)
