Finding Happiness

Leon?!

When I looked up and saw exactly who it was, I froze. What was he doing here? I moved away three years ago from my hometown so this exact thing wouldn't have happened.

"Ameria? Are you okay?" I turned to see my best friend looking as worried as I felt on the inside, " Is this man bothering you?" I turned back to look at Leon and immediately shook my head no. I looked at the time and saw that only two minutes went by. Damn, there goes my exit plan. Leon was still as attractive as he was before and my heart, even though it was beating wildly with anxiety, also was happy to see him. God, how I have missed my best friend.

Leon and I were best friends in high school, we did everything together and no one could talk shit about us without us talking that shit right back. We were very protective of each other. Even back when we first met, I was 13 and he was 14, I should have known I would have fallen for him. The night we made Raphael together was the best night of my life, before we both went our separate ways for college. Two months later, I found out I was pregnant. With no one to help me, I had to drop out of school to take care of my little bundle of joy.

I didn't want to ruin his life by dropping a baby on him.

I walked around the counter with an uneasy smile on my face, but a smile nonetheless, "Leon?! What are you doing here? Last I checked, you were studying at Berkley." He wraps his arms around me as I go in for a hug, damn it feels even better than it used to. His muscular arms made me feel safe and stilled my beating heart to where it is bearable.

"Oh yeah, I graduated early and decided to come back home to New York. Now I'm here in Boston for awhile because of my new job. Sure it's kind of entry level but it pays very well," Leon smiles at me and I couldn't the feeling that I had in my stomach, all those butterflies. I was still in love with him.

Leon was always the smartest person I've ever met and continues to amaze me. I should have kept good tabs on him. Maybe this is a good thing though, I don't want Raphael to question where his Dad is. That would hurt me to find that he would grow up in the same way that I did. My mom did all she could and was definitely disappointed when I got pregnant but there is nothing she could do. She could barely take care of me. Once I graduated high school, we moved down to a one bedroom apartment. She kicked me out months later. I can't really be mad at her, I should have been more responsible but this is what happens when sex education is minimal and kids are all alone all the time.

I smiled at him, "That is so great. I'm really happy that you're living the life you've always dreamed of. How long have you been in the city?"

"For two weeks now. I was getting my new apartment set up. They helped me find one."

I almost wanted to cry, maybe I really did do the right thing. We started catching up after that, found out he still doesn't have a girlfriend and hope flared up in my chest before I quickly shoot it back down. He is not going to want me after finding out that I have his kid after all these years.

I looked at the clock and started taking my apron off, "Oh I have to go pick up-" I stopped. I almost blurted out the beans, "I have an appointment I can't be late for. I'll see you late, Lee." I hurried to the back of the restaurant to clock out, not even processing anything that just happened out there before I ran out of the door. I cannot be late to pick up Raphael on his first day of school.

I don't know how I did it but I made it in 7 minutes, huffing and puffing, just to find out I was ten minutes early. I must have clocked out early or maybe I just needed to get away. Leon, I'm so sorry.

"Mommy!"

Damn, I must have been in my head too long. I turned from the gate I was leaning on and opened my arms just in time to catch my little munchkin.

"Hey baby! Did you enjoy your first day of school?"

"It was so much fun. I made so many friends and there's this girl, she let me have one of her cookies. It was my favorite, chocolate chip!! And we went outside and played. We learned the number song. It was the best day ever but Mommy, I really missed you."

My eyes watered but I didn't let the tears fall, "I missed you too, Rafee." I kissed his forehead before finally putting him down, "Alright, time to get down my beautiful son." I grabbed his hand as I started walking, "What do you want for dinner tonight buddy? We do have leftover chicken and I can make some rice and broccoli with cheese." Knowing he's going to say yes because he loves him some rice, I tell ya.

He started shouting, "Rice! Rice ," over and over again which made me laugh.

~~~~>>>>>>WHEN THEY FINALLY MADE IT HOME

I took my hair down from its bun before turning to Raphael, "Okay, go ahead and play with your toys in your room." We stay in a one-bedroom apartment so I let him have the bedroom while I slept on a pull-out bed couch in the living room. I heard him run upstairs to his room.

"No running, Rafee," I yelled down the hall before hurrying to the kitchen to clean. I never liked to cook before I had a clean kitchen. It just seems...cleaner for lack of a better word. I started with sweeping then washing dishes then drying. Finally, it was time to make the things necessary.

First, the oven to preheat to warm up the chicken then starting the rice and next the broccoli. I took out some cheese and started melting it.

Once everything was done, I plated our food.

"Rafee, dinner's ready!! Make sure to wash your hands." I got him a step-stool last week so I wouldn't have to help him wash his own hands. He wanted to do it himself anyways.

We sat down to eat, finished, I washed the remaining dishes and ran a bath for Raphael. We got him cleaned up and ready for bed.

Finally, we both were sleep.