Walls Between Us

18 | you hung the moon

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C A R T E R

"Can we go for that ride, Dad?" my son asks from overhead, pointing in the direction of the famous Dumbo carousel of the Funland Amusement Park which recently had its launch a week ago.

"Sure, kiddo," I say, lifting Parker from above my shoulders and putting him back on the ground. "Here, Uncle Dawson will help you up."

On cue, Dawson trespasses us immediately, giving a hand to Parker as they both walk to the counter for the tickets. With his new guitar in one hand, Parker looks brighter than the sun dressed in a pair of jeans and a light shirt. He keeps turning and smiling at me every two steps.

This is perhaps the happiest I have ever seen in the days I have known about him and the credit for that goes to Amaya.

I smile, throwing a glance at Amaya who stands frowning by my side. She has changed from my shirt into a simple yellow sundress with white polka dots, the length of which stops above her knees, leaving her sexy legs on display for prying eyes. She has minimal make-up on and her hair is tied in a high ponytail. As she looks on at our son with her arms crossed and a pout on her baby-pink-painted lips, I have half a mind to bring her closer to me and spank that attitude out of her if she gives me the chance.

"C'mon, Am, stop giving me that cold shoulder. It's not my fault Parker liked my offer more."

She remains silent, making me feel guilty about everything that went on this morning.

After Amaya was done introducing me to Parker, I was quick to blurt out that I would take him to the brand new amusement park for his birthday just as Amaya had finished making the pancakes for him. Parker must have been too excited to finally have a Dad because he didn't even look at his favorite dish and jumped back in my arms.

We spent the day going shopping for new toys and clothes, with Amaya and Dawson tagging along, before heading for the park. We even had lunch in the park's family restaurant.

"Dad, look!"

I turn to the sound of my son's voice to find him already settled on a ride. He has his arms thrown around an elephant seat as the music plays and the ride starts to twirl. I wave at him as he laughs, while Dawson begins running along with the carousel too to make sure nothing happens to Parker. The man in the suit looks kind of comical among the other colorful children but I don't stop him at all.

If Dawson wants to take care of Parker, then there is nothing I say which would make him stop. He is always protective of everyone I happen to love, be it my son or the woman near me who has no idea how much hold she has on me.

"Screw this," Amaya grunts out.

I look in time just as her ponytail hits me on the face as she turns. Her hips sway as she struts out of the crowd gathered around the carousel, leaving me behind.

"Am, wait!" I shout after her, glancing between her and Parker who is now enjoying his ride too much to be bothered with me.

Wetting my lips in nervousness, I meet Dawson's eyes from the other side of the carousel. He gives me a nod, a sign for me to know that he wouldn't move his eyes off my son while I go and see what went wrong.

I leave Parker under his care as I follow Amaya, walking through the crowd of excited people. I spot her ponytail flipping from side to side as she enters a space of the park which is mostly used as a picnic spot by people. I run to her just as she drops her sling bag on the freshly cut grass and then props herself down, settling with her legs spread out, crossed at the ankles.