Dazzle

Chapter 16

D A Z Z L E

Chapter Sixteen

Wyatt

Umiko fell asleep in the middle of the mass so I am carrying her in my arms when we exited the church. I saw Cameron sitting beside Mrs. Yu and Mrs. H inside but I decided that it’s better to leave immediately. After what happened the other day I don’t think Cameron would like to see me.

I’ve been bringing my daughter to school without entering or going near their classroom so we haven’t really seen each other.

“Hey.” It was Silas walking towards me. Kasama niya si Landry at si Marcy.

“Hey.” I replied. Ngumiti naman ako kay Marcy at Landry.

“Mauuna na muna kaming bumalik sa bakery.” Sabi ni Marcy habang akay si Landry. Si Silas naman ay nagpaiwan.

“What’s up?” He asked.

“Good, bakit?”

“Nothing. Hindi kita nakikita nitong mga nakaraan. How’s you and Cams?” He asked. I walked towards the parking area and he followed.

“It’s difficult Silas.”

“How?”

I sighed. Binuksan ko muna ang sasakyan at ipinwesto si Umiko sa car seat.

“I like her but I have to consider Umiko, too. Ang plano ni Cameron ay hanggang ngayong school year lang siya rito sa atin. It’s going to be hard for my daughter. Attached na siya kay Cameron ngayon pa lang, pero at least she knows that Cameron is her teacher. Pero kapag humigit pa doon … man, I know I’m overthinking but I just, I just don’t want to break Miko’s heart.”

Silas raked his hair with his fingers and sighed.

“Damn, I understand. You know what, let’s have a beer later, kukuhanin ko lang si Landry kay Ma. Susunod kami sa bahay niyo.” He said then patted my shoulder. Tumango ako at sumakay na sa sasakyan habang naglakad na rin si Silas pauwi.

-

“I met someone a few years ago. Landry was four then, and I understand your fear, Wyatt. Landry was devastated more than me when Alice and I broke up.”

“That’s what I’m scared of, especially when Umiko wants Cameron to be her Mom. Miko’s been asking me about it many times already.”

Pareho kaming uminom ng beer ni Silas. Ang anak nitong si Landry ay nasa living room at nanunuod ng TV, si Umiko naman ay dinala ko na muna sa kwarto dahil hanggang ngayon ay natutulog pa.

“So you’re letting Cameron go, right?” He asked. Bago ako sumagot ay narinig kong bumukas ang front door ng bahay ko.

“Aunt Stella!” Narinig naming sabi ni Landry na agad tumayo mula sa panunuod ng TV upang salubungin si Stella.

“Hello, Landry. Nasaan ang Dad mo at si Uncle Wyatt?”

“In here.” Ako na ang sumagot. Masama na kaagad ang tingin sa akin ni Stella.