Shattered

Welcome

The drive to Nathan's house is filled with laughter. Ethan and Nathan just click.

They talk to each other as if they've known each other for ever.

As soon as we walk into the penthouse. My jaw is scraping the floor. The place is amazing.

And it looks like the design of the famous Maria White.

"Have a seat, Charlotte will be right down." He says.

"Mommy, who is he? He is really nice." Ethan says.

"He is uncle Nathan. You should tell that to him." I say. Smiling at my little munchkin.

"Hi, I'm Charlotte." A short lady with blue eyes and blonde hair says to me.

"I'm Gemima." I tell her.

"Work, Nate wasnt joking. You do sound like descending angels." She says under her breath but I hear her and smile.

"How old you Charlotte?" I ask.

"I'm twenty one. You can call me Charlie or just Char." She says. I smile.

"I'm twenty four. And you can call me Gemma." I tell her.

Nathan walks back into the living area in only sweatpants and a tight white tee shirt.

"Alright whose ready for dinner?" He says to himself.

Ethan jumps off my lap and runs to him.

"You know Char. You seem like a really good person and I'd really love for you to baby sit my little boy." I begin.

"I know and I'd also love to baby sit him. He's an angel." She says.

"But, I cant afford to get in a cab to and from New York everyday. " I say.

Her face falls and it breaks my heart.

And then it lights up.

"I know! He could stay here during the week. And my brother could drive him to you every Friday or drive you here! Come on please?" She begs.

I look around. The place does look like a good environment and I would love for Ethan to be away from Jeremy.

It's safe here. He'll be okay.

"Okay.  Only if you can convince your brother. " I say.

"Convince her brother to what?" Nate walks in.

"NatecanyouletEthanstayhereplease? Gemmadoesnthavemoneyfordailytripssoplease?" She says it all in one breath. It literally sounds like that.

"Hold on. Relax Char. Okay. He can stay. You want to stay her buddy?" Nate asks.

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" He says jumping up and down.

An alluring smell pushes into my nostrils and suddenly my stomach growls.

"Someone is hungry." Nate says. " Dont worry, the food will be ready. "

And true to his word. He plates a mountain of mac and cheese on the round dinner table.

Him besides myself. Ethan next to me. And Charlotte following him. There's only one empty seat remaining.

We all eat the delicious meal quietly.  Then it's time for me to leave. Since Ethan is staying here.

I look at him.

"Are you sure you're going to be okay?" I ask. He smiles. Then kisses my forehead.

My knees are about to give up,  in the slouching position I am right now.

"I'll be fine mommy. Will you be fine?" He asks.

I know what he means. He always does this  , he asks questions that are not direct but mean or somehow include what's happening at home.

"I'll be okay knowing that you're alright. I'm leaving now. " I tell him.

He kisses my forehead. Then runs to Nathan's arms.

"Are you also leaving?" He asks Nate. Nate says some stuff that I dont hear because Charlotte now whispers in my ear.

"Those two look so much alike. Look at those hazel eyes. They're practically mirroring each other." She says.

I see the resemblance as well. The two look alike. But I wont admit it.

"I dont see it." I say chuckling.

Nathan walks over to me and points to the door. We walk out. Charlotte and Ethan yell a loud 'bye'

"Are you sure about your decision?" Nathan asks as we're seated in the car driving to Manhattan .

"I'm not, but if Ethan is then I'm more than okay with it." I tell him. He nods and hums.

"What about his father?" He asks and my stomach stings.

"What about him?" I ask, playing it cool.

"Is he in the picture. Is he involved.  Does Ethan know him?" He asks.

"Its really complicated.  He is somewhat involved.  And yes Ethan knows him." I say.

I've never heard Ethan call Jeremy dad. Never not once.

"Are you and the father... you know" he asks.

"I dont know. It doesnt seem like it." I say honestly.

"What do you mean?" He asks and his voice goes incredibly soft.

"We live together, but I dont... think we're together." I say and he nods. It feels a little awkward. "How about you? Why dont you have someone?" I ask.

"I was about to get married then at altar she admitted that she and my best friend have been having an affair. So I just threw her out. " he says.

"Oh my God, why would she do such a thing. She is so inhumane. " I say to him.

Why would someone do a thing like that. I wouldn't do a thing like that to anyone. Not even Jeremy deserves it.

"Yeah but I'm better now. And I'm a better man." He says.

"So design, tell me about that." He says.

"I studied design back in college. But I couldnt continue because I got pregnant. I had to raise my son. So Jeremy promised to work really hard and he'd take care of us.

He moved us from West Virginia to Manhattan. Then he just... he lost his job. I had to look for a job just so that I can raise my boy." I say feeling the tears burn my cheeks.

"My dad is from Indianapolis.  He raised me all by himself. He got a little help from Arraine's parents. I grew up with Ari. My mom walked out on us. I was just eight.

My dad never trusted any other woman since then. " he says.

"Your dad is a strong man." I tell him.

"Was. What about you? Parents?" He asks.

"I'm so sorry about that. Both my parents died in a motor accident when I was doing my sophomore year in college. Dont pity me. Im alright." I tell him.

"My condolences.  They wouldve been so proud. " he says.

"I dont know how I managed to say all of that.  I've never told anyone. I guess I'm just really comfortable with you." He says gently.

"I am too." I tell him silently.

"Here you are." He says.

"Thank you so much. Please just sleep in a hotel. You cant drive this late. Its nine PM." I beg him.

"Alright. Goodnight." He says.

"Goodnight. I had fun, and dinner was awesome. Please take care of my boy." I ask him.

"I'd be a fool not to." He smiles as I exit the car.