The Widow

Scene 65 - I betrayed you

Scene 65 – I betrayed you

Clara was happy. The week she had with the kids and Ralphe was relaxing. The kids were happy, it was their first time in New York and it was memorable. It was also the first time after the year she had that she felt carefree. Even Ralphe was carefree and happy.

She was seeing Ralphe in a new light. He really was great with the kids and sometimes she felt a prickle of sadness just watching him staring at Kieran with such longing, she’d understand if it was just Kieran he was staring with those feelings but no, even Maddox and Tatum, he stared as if he wanted them too, as if he loved them too.

Knowing this Ralphe, she wondered then, would he be like this if she had told him? But then the guilt would come and she’d feel so damn low because why was she thinking like that? She never regretted her decision, she met Aiden and had the twins.

She was smiling as she watched Tatum badger Ralphe relentlessly, she was in front of him dancing and making it impossibly hard for Ralphe not to notice her. Ralphe was trying to read some proposals NASA had emailed him but he couldn’t seem to concentrate.

Clara knew, Tatum got to Ralphe and it was heartwarming to see it.

It seemed Ralphe had enough, he tossed the papers on the side and rose. He picked Tatum up and tossed her in the air, she squealed and Clara rose from her seat too, “Ralphe!”

He had Tatum in his arms again, who was shouting for one more time, Clara shook her head, “Mommy says no.”

Tatum turned to her and glared at her, “Tatum says yes.” She told Ralphe.

Ralphe chuckled, “And what Princess Tatum says, Uncle Ralphe does.” And he did.

After that, Tatum seemed to settle down and just sat on Ralphe’s lap, “Are you going back to space?” she asked.

Clara wondered how Tatum knew about it.

“Don’t know yet princess.”

Clara worried. She didn’t want Ralphe to go back to space, it was dangerous and a part of her was now getting used with Ralphe being in her life—in their lives—again.

“If you go, how will I see you?” Tatum pouted.

“I’ll call you every day.”

“But it’s not the same. I want you here!”

Ralphe wrapped his arms around Tatum, held her tight and kissed her on top of her head, “Okay, I won’t leave.”

Clara stood and quietly left them alone, it was their moment and she didn't want to intrude.