Slipping Through My Fingers - Nathan MacKinnon

Chapter 5

Ten years old

"Don't piss Reed off," you started counting on your finger, keeping your eyes on your son. "You have to finish your homework, and eat whatever Grace gives you. No whining."

Andrew rolled his eyes, sighing. The attitude had been going on since Thursday, when you had first told him about the date. Your first date after having Andrew, your first date in more than ten years. "Yeah, I've got it." He mumbled, turning his eyes back on Reed's TV.

"We will be just fine," Reed said from your side, arms folded over his chest. "Right, Andy?"

The kid nodded absentmindedly, probably sporting a scowl. You sighed, grabbing your purse quickly, heading towards the door. "Call me if anything bad happens, okay?"

"Relax, we've got it," the man said, opening the door for you. "You go enjoy your date."

You chuckled nervously, looking down at your car for a swift moment. Were you ready to go on the date, though? Were you ready to leave Andrew behind for a night? "I'll try to," you whispered. "Thank you, Reed."

"Of course," he sighed, pushing you out the door. "Go, or you'll be late."

You hesitantly made your way towards your car, swallowing the lump in your throat as you entered the driver's side. Looking up at Reed's lawn, you saw him leaning against the threshold of his front door, waving with a smile. You waved back awkwardly, feeling like a schoolgirl going on her first ever date.

If only Mrs. MacKinnon knew about this, you thought, she would kill me.

You turned the engine to life, leaving the neighborhood as quickly as you could. The restaurant was near the beach, so the drive couldn't be more than ten minutes long. You took that time to do a mental recap.

The name of your date was Thomas, he was a man you met at the veggie aisle at the local supermarket that apparently frequented the beach quite often. He was a couple of years older than you, and worked at the post office. 'A quiet local looking for a fun time', as he had joked.

You were excited to be back in the dating scene, and you were sure Thomas was a good man. But were you really ready?

"So, you guys dating?"

Your fork stilled mid-air, the dining room filling with silence. The question had been asked by Nathan's mother, the icy tone in her voice still present even after having you stay in her home for days. Your eyes met Nate's, who was in as much shock as you were.

Andrew, who was sitting between the two of you, was silently eating his Christmas dinner with a smile on his face, probably in his own little world.

"No?" Nathan stated, looking at her with a questioning glare. "Mom, what are you on about?"

Mrs. MacKinnon sighed, dropping her cutlery beside her plate to rest her eyes on you. "If the two of you are not dating, then why is she here?"

You inhaled harshly, keeping your eyes on the peas in your plate. "Because she's part of the family. She's the mother of my child."

"She's not part of the family, Nathan. She never has been, and never will be."

"Darling-"

"Andy, you want to finish dinner in front of the TV?" Sarah asked, sending you a small, sad smile. "I'm pretty sure they're showing an old game, right now."

"She's still Andrew's mother. Do you think I was going to let her stay in Australia to spend Christmas on her own? That's who you raised me to be?"