A PURPLE DESIRE

THE TRUTH

Frank frowned at what he heard. He looked at Lea with a questionable face.

Lea forgot the time that she was tired enough to tell her story about her past relationship with her ex-boyfriend. After the two spend a moment with two bottles of beer in the living room. The topic suddenly flashed on her mind.

"Ahh, it's about Andrei's father. He is gone and I don't want to talk about it." Lea answered immediately. To think that Frank should never mind about her status.

"What do you mean by "gone"? Frank wanted to clarify. Seemed that he is interested to know about the father of her son.

"You should tell him. It's about the exact time." Anne initiated the topic and looked at the two people in front of her.

Now Lea realizes her regrets why she kept telling Anne about Andrei's father. But she was right, Frank had a right to know the truth.

Frank's head snapped toward Lea with a deep inhale. Her eyes anxiously darted back and forth, her heart pounding with fear, as she confirmed the truth.

With a fierce growl, Frank clenched his teeth tightly and strode down the narrow hallway, covering the distance to the bedroom in just two steps. The hurried footsteps of Lea echoed behind him, adding to the tension in the air.

Andrei slept in a bed that didn't fit with the depressed state of the apartment. His bow lips were slightly parted, and his long eyelashes lay against rosy cheeks. His black-as-night hair was tousled with curls.

Frank gazed at Lea with astonishment, fully aware of the undeniable truth. The serene slumber of this little boy confirmed without a doubt that he was Frank's son. Thus, Frank's initial judgment had proven to be accurate.

"I had a son.." he said. He walked back into the living room, and Lea followed him.

Frank was livid with rage but kept his voice low and even, "So, if not Anne you weren't going to tell me?"

Lea's arms were folded across her chest, her chin lifted in a defiant stance.

"How much longer will he sleep?" Frank's next question.

"Maybe a half hour," Lea mumbled.

Anne surreptitiously tuned in to the conversation while organizing the vegetables in the refrigerator. Her attention was inevitably drawn to Lea's body language as she engaged in discussion with Frank in the living room.

"Pack your things." Frank pointed as he urged Lea to do it immediately.

He took out his cell phone, dialed a number, and spoke in the English language. Frank finished his call then texted a message. Shortly after that, his phone pinged. He glanced down at the screen.

Andrei came out of the bedroom rubbing his eyes. When he saw Frank he grinned. "You're here! Papa..."

Lea blew out her breath and rolled her eyes. "Come, let's go to the bathroom, so you can brush your teeth.."

"Can I play with my toys, Mama?"

"Yes, after your teeth" Andrei scooted ahead of Lea into the bathroom. He brushed his teeth while Lea combed his hair. When he was done, he ran toward the living room.

"No running," Lea said.

He walked into the living room, climbed onto the sofa and got the two toys in the plastic bag.

Frank hunkered down on his haunches next to Andrei. He put one arm over the back of the sofa and asked, "Do you want to ride in my car again?"

Andrei held his toys in both hands, his eyes round. "Your car."