The Sun and Her Moon | CHONI |

Five

'So...' Cheryl broke the silence first this time 'what's your story'. 'Well we recently moved here. Tommy's dad wasn't a kind man and I made the decision to take my son and leave. I got the job at Pops the day we moved into our new apartment, so things are finally looking up' Toni smiled. 'I'm sorry about Tommy's dad' Cheryl gave her a sympathetic look. Toni had noticed in the small time she had known Cheryl showing emotion didn't come easy to her. 'Do you have a partner?' Toni asked. 'A partner?' Cheryl looked confused. 'Yeah, a husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend?'. 'Oh' Cheryl got slightly flustered but soon masked it 'no I don't'. 'Really? That's surprising' Toni said generally shocked. 'It is?' Cheryl raised an eyebrow. 'Of course, you're gorgeous'. Toni was never one to hold back, she generally said what she thought and she didn't think too much into it, plus Toni had thought she was attractive the moment she saw her. 'I don't know about that' was all Cheryl said. Earning her a look from Toni but the shorter woman didn't push.

'Cheryl?'. A voice pulled Toni and the redhead from their casual conversation. 'Here we go' the redhead thought as she laid eyes on her best friend approaching them. 'Veronica' Cheryl nodded. 'Cheryl! I was going to call you about a night out?' she smiled 'who's your friend?'. 'Hi I'm Toni' she said holding out her hand and Veronica happily shook it 'Veronica'. 'And I'm Tommy!'. Veronicas eyes landed on a small boy stood beside Cheryl. 'Hello there Tommy, aren't you the cutest little boy'. 'I am' he smiled proudly. 'I'll just take Tom to look at the ducks while you catch up with your friend' Toni smiled at Veronica saying goodbye as she took Tommy's hand and led him away. 'Okay girl spill!' Veronica squealed quietly. 'Ronnie what are you talking about?' Cheryl asked confused. 'Cheryl Blossom at a park with a beautiful woman and her kid, looks rather domestic' she smirked. 'For god sake V' Cheryl rolled her eyes 'she's a friend, she works at the diner'. 'Yeah well it looks good on you'. Cheryl rolled her eyes again 'don't you have anything better to do than bug me?'. 'Actually no but I'll let you carry on with your date. I'll be at your place at 8 tonight, make sure you're ready'. Cheryl chose to ignore the whole date thing and replied with a forced 'fine' knowing she hadn't heard the last of it. After saying their goodbyes Cheryl made her way back over to Toni 'sorry about that she's rather forward'. 'It's fine' Toni smiled.

'Mommy let's race!' Tommy shouted running around hers and Cheryl's legs. 'I don't think so' she started before running forward. 'Hey no fair' Tommy screamed while chasing after her. Cheryl couldn't help the small chuckle escaping her lips, it was so unusual for her to see an adult act like a child as Toni did. Her parents never acted that way, neither did any of her childhood friends parents. As Toni raced back to Cheryl she laughed as she put her arms up in victory. 'You can't win em all kid' she nudged his shoulder. 'Mommy you're a cheat, she cheated right Cheryl?' he looked up at the redhead. She nodded 'she definitely did'. 'Hey! You can't gang up on me' she pretended to pout. 'Then you shouldn't cheat Mommy!'. Both Cheryl and Tommy shared a little smile. 'Okay well I should go' Cheryl smiled 'I have to get ready to go out with Veronica'. 'Oh okay' Toni tried to hide her disappointment, Tommy however did not. His bottom lip began to quiver before he let out a cry. Cheryl's eyes met Toni in panic wondering what had made the young boy burst into tears for no reason. Toni picked him up knowing exactly what was wrong but asking anyway. 'I don't want Cheryl to leave' he cried. Cheryl was surprised to say the least, not knowing what to say. 'Cheryl has to go and see her friend but I'm sure we'll see her again soon'. Tommy lifted his head from his mothers shoulder and looked at the redhead. 'Yeah' Cheryl said hoping to calm him down 'we can come to the park again'. 'See' Toni smiled. She mouthed a thank you to the redhead. 'But wait' Tommy sniffled 'how will we be able to ask you?'. Cheryl faltered. 'How about Mommy gives Cheryl her phone number and then she can call when she's free'. Toni didn't want to force the redhead into anything she didn't want so giving her her phone number Cheryl didn't have to reach out if she didn't want to. Cheryl pulled out her phone and passed it to Toni so she could enter her phone number. 'See all done. Now say goodbye to Cheryl' Toni said to the small boy in her arms. He reached his arms out to the redhead. 'Hey Tommy remember what I said to you about asking' Toni said. He looked at his mom and nodded before looking over to Cheryl. 'Can I hug you bye bye?' he asked. 'Er Okay' Cheryl stuttered. He reached out his arms and she grabbed him from his mother. He wrapped his small arms around her neck mumbling a goodbye before pulling back and reaching out for his mother again. 'Bye Cheryl thank you for today' Toni smiled. 'Goodbye Toni, Tommy' she nodded and turned to make her way home.