Forever and ever 2. The adventure starts now.

Part 13

"Please!" He shook his head.
"Just one fork baby!" I had tears stinging in my eyes, trying desperately but hopelessly to get Tom to eat.
"I'm serious Tommay! I won't let you go to Paarl if you don't at least try!" The suitcases were already packed for the last trip he had to make tomorrow, but I would hardly send him away eating as little as he did, knowing that he would actually have to go to hospital instead.
"I told you I'm not hungry!" He lifted me off his lap with a fork full of scrambled egg in my hand.
"You haven't eaten since yesterday morning!"
"So what?! I am old enough to know when I need food." He scolded and walked over to the kitchen island, didn't give me a second glance as he reached for the whiskey, only to put it back in the cupboard, open the fridge and take out the orange juice.
"But too stubborn to see that you are fading away!" I yelled, the tears of anger flowing down my cheeks. Unfortunately, we were often at each other's throats lately, ever since he told me about Paarl, and always for the same reason. Tom was irritated because he wasn't eating, and I was desperate BECAUSE he wasn't eating.

He stopped in the middle of his tracks, glass raised halfway to his mouth. His eyes wandered up, eyebrows drawn together as he gave me a look of devilment. A look that should have made me apologise immediately, but I stood my ground, looking at him with such a anger, my tears only drying instead of running. Luckily Parker was in his room, used his ipad time, which I gave him, to take care of Tom in peace. It was hard to keep our thoughts on him lately when all I was worried about was Tom. My little Parks really deserved to have a few more good days, and I hoped to give him that as soon as Tom was in Paarl.

He shook his head slowly, drank his orange juice in one gulp and put the carton back in the fridge.
But instead of talking, he just shook his head in annoyance afterwards and sauntered up to our bedroom in a slumped posture.
Fucking- stupid- shit! I hated swearing but had to try really hard not to shout it at him.
It was only 11 in the morning and I was already exhausted from the day. That was not my aim considering that we were invited to Nikki and Dom's for dinner in the afternoon. -Ciara and Harry- and -Sam and Lily- were also going to join us. A last little autumn gathering, so to speak.
When Nikki had invited us a week ago, I immediately accepted, but didn't know things with Tom would get so complicated. The last few days consisted of arguing, taking care of Parker, arguing, hoping Parker wouldn't notice, making up, only to argue again over dinner. It was exhausting and I didn't know how to help myself.
I put my plate with the little bit of scrambled egg that Tom didn't want to eat into the dishwasher, and then went into Parker's room, wanting to get him ready. I knocked twice on the open door so as not to startle him, and watched as his little head rose from the floor and he gave me a quick glance before looking back at the ipad, unbothered. Okay, enough ipad for today if he couldn't even say hello to me. I pulled the ipad out from under his face and immediately put it on a cupboard where I knew he couldn't reach it.
"Mommy!" He whined and gave me a nasty look.
"Enough for today baby. We're invited to grandma and grandpa's for dinner this afternoon, and you're allowed to take two toys with you, so go ahead and choose." I tidied his room a little while he immediately went to find the right toys. It was a new rule of Tom's and mine which allowed him to take only two toys with him since we both hated it when the car was full of  incredible annoying noises. Like siren wailing fire engines, Toy Story toys with built-in talking functions and cuddly toys that squeaked when you pressed them. I tried not to be a strict mother, but I also didn't want my son to be too spoiled and forget to have manners.
"Finished!" He shouted and held pawty and Buzz Lightyear in front of my face. I was satisfied with the choice and gave him a kiss on the cheek for him to know I was proud of him.
"Great, now can you put them safely away and go to the bathroom? I'll be right there." So while he did what I asked him to do, I picked out a suitable outfit for the afternoon and ran him a bath.

~

"And uncle Sam?" He asked while I combed his wet hair.
"Yeah, he'll be there too sweet face."
"And- and aunt Cara?" I chuckled.
"Yes auntie Ciara will be there too."
"Dadday!!" I raised my eyebrows, confused but yet I said-
"Yes, Daddy will come too." And before I knew it, Parker ran past me and jumped into the arms of Tom who, as usual, was standing in the doorway watching. I still hadn't exchanged a word with him since breakfast, so to say there was an awkward silence between us was the truth.
"Hey my little fellow. Are you excited?" Parker nodded, hugged his father, while I stood up and put the comb aside.
"I think I'll stay home today." Eyes on me, he confirmed his attention. It took me by surprise. Didn't expect him to pull something like this now.
"What?!" I cursed in a low voice, didn't want my son to hear how angry I actually was. And then he shrugged his shoulders like it was no big deal, whereas I wanted to turn his head, that's how bad my blood was boiling.
I knew exactly what he was doing, telling me this news in front of Parker so I wouldn't throw a tantrum. But it wasn't even just anger that boiled up inside me, but sadness too. Why couldn't he behave like an adult anymore? just arrogant, as if we were enemies instead of allies.