The Aftertaste

Chapter Ten

I'm late. I'm rushing through the house, scrambling to get my life together. The shoot starts in 45 minutes and I'm at least 30 minutes from the site. Mrs. Otello is going to kill me. I'm so glad I packed and repacked my equipment a thousand times. I'm prepared on that end.
My brain is fuzzy with photo thoughts and everything me and Lizzie caught up on last night. She gave me tiny details about Joe as if she knew I needed to hear how he was doing in life. It was like a high and I didn't want to come down. She said his drinking problem was no longer a problem and he's traveling and enjoying life. She left out details about the other woman and I'm grateful and ungrateful about that. He's excited about being an uncle and can't wait to have kids of his own now.
As I pull up to the site, I shake the thought from my mind. That's not my business.
The site is beyond beautiful. Whoever she hired to set up, went above and beyond without ruining the nature of the area.
Mrs. Otello looks beautiful. She glows as she pulls me into a hug.
"You look amazing."
"I try darling. You're right on time. I'll give you time to set up and then we can get started?"
I mod and begin to unload my car. This scenery is everything I would want for myself and then some. Although Lizzie agreed to keep my secret, I couldn't tell her about this shoot, or the wedding. I can't ruin this moment for this woman. She deserves happiness.
I'm always so good at knowing what others deserve but never myself. It's so confusing.
The equipment is in place and then I hear the music. Time for action.

•

In the midst of everything going on, I forgot to even acknowledge the existence of AJ. Checking my phone, there's two messages from him. He's such a sweet guy and here I am just ignoring him carelessly. The shoot was amazing, so Joe I have a couple hours of free time before I have to focus on work again. I decide to call him as I get Grayson ready for bed.
"Hey, busy lady. How you feeling?"
His voice is warm and I just want to crawl in it and take a nap.
"Hey, busy man. I'm exhausted. Sorry I haven't called."
"I get it, work related?"
"How'd you guess?"
He laughs. I hear shuffling behind the curtain and I have to walk past it. Grayson makes me work to put him to bed. I have to find him in a game of hiding-go-seek before he'll allow bath time.
"Mommy, me!" I hear the curtain say.
"Where are you Grayson?"
I hear AJ laugh, "Are you on a baby hunt?"
"I am actually. He's SOMEWHERE around here."
Me and AJ share a laugh. I hear footsteps running to a new location and I take my time turning around.
"Is his father around?" AJ asks, his voice still gentle. My soul seems to freeze for a second.
"N-no. Just me. It's no biggie."
"How come?"
"Mommy, me!"
We're still working on saying "find" and it makes me laugh that he completely leaves it out.
"I-we just didn't work out so here I am."
"Is it lonely?"
I lift the basket turned upside down, revealing a tiny little Grayson.
"Me! Mommy!"
He jumps on me, wrapping his legs around me and squeezing.
"I found you!"
AJ chuckles, I'm guessing still waiting on my answer too.
"It can be lonely but I'm past that. It's about his growth and safety."
"Mommy, phone?"
I shake my head no, placing him in the bath.
"I'm sorry." AJ whispers.
"Sorry? Why?"
"You seem like you have a great spirit. He had to be a sorry man to leave you two behind."
Little does he know, I'm the runner. A story for a different day. I sigh, watching Grayson splash.
"Do you ever want kids?"
Change the subject, always a great idea.
"I don't know. Running a bar and fighting off women is a full time job."
We laugh, it's comfortable.
"Well we wouldn't want you ruining that, huh?"
"No, well not what I meant. Can I take you out?"
Out? A date. I haven't enjoyed a date in years. I've been so busy lately that I've missed my nail appointments and pampering myself.
"That would be nice."
"Wouldn't it?"
There's glass breaking and yelling in his background and he gets silent.
"I have to call you back, bar fight. I'll send you the date details. Enjoy your night, beautiful."
"You too."
I hate to hang up but work is work. I guess it's time I get back out there and explore the dating world. Grayson is amazing but the touch of a man wouldn't hurt either.
I blush at the thought and turn my focus to Grayson. I can do this, can't I?