Unchangeable

Chapter 26

A walk in the local park among the budding flowered trees, that he decides is the perfect first date. He picks her up at her house. She is dressed for the spring, with her curly hair down and a dress on. Gorgeous and he tells her so.

“Thank you.” She is blushing and he finds it adorable. “It is a perfect day for a walk.” Temperatures in the mid seventies and sunny, it is a beautiful day. He takes her hand and let’s her to his car, opening the door for her. “Such a gentleman.” He smiles before going around and entering himself.

“Thank you, I try.” The drive isn’t  long and they talk about the library on the way. He comes around and let’s her out. Their hands are entwined as they enter the park.

“Oh, it is so lovely.” A canopy of pink cover them.

“It is and you are beautiful under it.” She blushes again, turning her tan skin red. “You know we did this right.” She looks up at him, her head tilted with a frown, “dating. We became friends first. There is none of the awkwardness of a first date. We know each other.”

She smiles and squeezes his hand. “So true. I know you hate action movies and you know I am crazy about old films.”

They walk on, swinging their arms. “You know my biggest secret and what to do if I,” recalling they are in public, “ ah leave.”

“Yes. But you don’t know mine.” He stops and turns to fully face her.

“You have a big secret Emily?” She nods chewing on her lip. “Will you share it with me?”

“Yes,” she nods towards the bench to the right of them and they move that way. After they take a seat, she continues, “I have a child. He is five now.” Saul’s mouth drops open. “I was sixteen, way to young to keep him. I gave him up for adoption. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But,  I know it was the right thing to do.”

He finds his voice. “Wow, just wow. How brave you were!” She lets out the breath she wasn’t aware of holding.  “Did you think it would affect us? Come my darling Em, you should know better then that.”

“I do it is just, well, it was a major secret.” He laughs and puts his arm around her, drawing her against his side.

“And mine wasn’t? We are each living unique lives. I think that is beautiful.” She rests her head on his shoulder.

“Unique and beautiful. Yes. I call him Isaiah, in my thoughts.”

“Beautiful.” He kisses her head, “Do you know what they named him?”

“Yeah, Noah Thomas.”

“Also lovely. You thought about keeping him, didn’t you?”

“I did. I held him, called him by my name for him, kissed him, told him I loved him, all I wished for him and, then handed him to his mommy.”

Saul swallows, his throat full of tears. They sit there leaning against each other. “You are a wonderful mommy.” He finally whispers. He feels the shiver go through her.

“It is the first time I have been called mommy.” Her voice cracks.  “Thank you.” By unspoken agreement, they raise and start walking again.