Love In a Maze

The Bitter Love-Song IV

The Bitter Love-Song IV

1993

"Oh fuck." Athina frantically whispered as Kid felt her lips ripped away from his. The warmth of her body gone replaced by the shuffling of furniture and the stillness of air. Looking up he found her almost instantly halfway across the living room. In a panic she wildly darted her eyes to the front door. As he followed her gaze, he understood why... the asshole that stood there.

Kid's demeanor shifted; his body once soft, flirtatious as it arched over Athina's on the back of the couch. The whites of his eyes widening innocently, the pink of his lips flushed, beautiful and alluring. He always knew how to get women's attention, especially hers. That was one thing that hadn't seemed to change. But as soon as the other man came into view, Kid became rigid. His shoulders squared; features hardened as if staking a claim to a space he had occupied first.

Kid had only met him once, and he hated him. He was the messenger at the time, but he hated the message that was delivered... Athina was gone. He was a harbinger and here he was again bringing more news Kid wasn't ready for. As the tall young man with long dark hair held a carbon copy of Athina in his arms. The little girl wiggled with all her might to get out of his hold. He couldn't believe that's who she chose, that's who she decided to share her DNA with. He was an idiot and apparently so was Athina.

But as Kid turned to her, he watched their silent frantic conversation unfold, it seemed maybe he was mistaken. Her eyes widened as she gestured pleading with him, asking him to leave and not say a word or acknowledge Kid who stood between them as if he owned the space. Silently he put down the child that was in his arms and backed out the door, before briefly holding up a hand to his ear asking her to call him. She tilted her head with a desperate nod before the door snapped shut.

The little girl in a green froggie rain slicker ran as fast as she could into her mother's waiting arms. Her tiny rubber boots squeaking with each step against the wooden floors as she picked up pace. The tight spools of her dark hair bouncing as she reached for Athina.

She had once told him she never wanted to have a baby. How it didn't feel right, it seemed unnatural to her. She had never had a mother so she thought she couldn't be a good one. But as he watched them in the corner, the softness of the similarity in their giggles as they whispered, it seemed like a natural state for her. A sudden pain gripped him when he realized her life had continued without him. He wasn't sure what he was expecting but he wanted her to have put her life on hold. Sealing herself up like he had done with her memories in a time capsule. But she hadn't waited for him, another man had come along and finished the dream they had started. Another nameless, faceless lover to add to her pages.

"I like his swooshy hair." The small voice brought Kid out of his reflection. He looked to them, Athina stood with the little girl in her arms. Holding her tightly, gently swaying her body back and forth. She looked concerned, pensive, chewing the inside of her cheek. The toddler on the other hand smiled brightly as Athina always had, a tinge of mischief hiding just in the corner of the curve. There was no doubt the pair belonged to each other. He mirrored her smile, his shoulders rounding as he perched on the back of the couch. Shifting awkwardly, he put his hands in his pockets as he waited patiently for Athina to decide. Finally, she nodded giving him the okay to come and join them.

With every step he took Athina let out a small, labored breath, refusing to meet his gaze she buried her face in her daughter's hair looking for comfort. Just like her smile moments before, the little one had taken a completely different approach than Athina to their meeting. Her eyes wide, pooling like honey as sunlight from the window poured across them. A small hand kneading her mother's curls as she curiously surveyed the stranger in their space. "Hey."