you're safe with me

21

important question at the end

things have been going very well for me recently. i've been doing very well in college, football has been great, im scoring and assisting a lot.

i got back in contact with james. we've been messaging back and forth and we've planned to meet up at a cafe for brunch today.

leah dropped me off and i saw him looking through a menu at a table.

i went and sat down with him.

"hi alex, how are you" he asked.

"i'm great, you?" i said.

"i'm alright" he said.

we got straight into a chat. he asked me about college and i asked him about university. we got to know each other a bit better.

we ordered food and ate and then went on a walk.

he wanted to know a bit about dad so we sat in the park and i told him many things about him and stories of what we did together.

"he was the biggest arsenal fan i know. maybe besides leah" i said. "he was the best. he took me to a few matches and taught me all the chants, bought me the kits and everything"

"that was until he got ill" i said.

i got teary and james put his arm around me. i accepted the hug and wiped my tears.

"sorry" i said and tried to compose myself.

"it's okay, take your time" he said.

i'm glad he's so understanding and caring.

"i really wish i could have got to spend more time with him yknow. get to know him a bit" he said. "maybe find out why things ended between him and my mum"

"you could ask your mum about that" i suggested.

"i have. she won't tell me" he said.

he asked me to take him to our dads grave so i did. we stopped at the shop to buy some flowers. i took white tulips again.

i always take white tulips because he always gave me them on my birthday or special occasions.

we arrived and i walked towards his grave.

"hi dad. this is james, your son" i said as i placed down the flowers.

i gestured for james to come closer as he was lingering further back, unsure on his boundaries.

we both sat at his grave and i spoke to my dad about things that have happened recently in my life since i haven't visited in a while.

james also spoke to dad. he spoke about how he wishes that he had a chance to meet him properly and have a proper relationship with him.

my phone started ringing so i looked. it was leah.

"hi le we're just at the graveyard. we're coming back soon" i said.

"okay love. just checking up. you okay?" she asked.

"yeah im fine, ill be home in half an hour" i said.

"okay darling see you later" she said.

"bye" i said.

i let james finish speaking to dad and then we got up and walked the short way home.

i opened the door and james said bye before walking away.

i went inside and leah asked me how today went.

"yeah it was great" i said. "we had a nice chat"

a little while later, lauryn came over and we sat in my room watching a movie.