Retribution

Chapter 35 - Cute Little Poems

I had to take some time out, just for a few minutes, after Harvey's stinging comment. In my short absence, Jake talked him off the bed and out of his room with the use of his iPhone and Google. Satisfied that spiders weren't harmful to humans, Harvey apologised to me, visibly upset and confused.

With Jake having rehomed the spider outside, Harvey went back to bed but refused me tucking him in.

"I'm nearly nine, Mum. I'm a big boy now."

Any other day, those words would have made me smile, but today, it just cemented in a little firmer that my baby boy was outgrowing his mummy. Maybe it was time I stopped treating him like a baby and fussing over him constantly.

I clambered back in bed and flopped down on the pillows. "Do you think I baby him too much?"

Jake climbed in next to me and put his arm around my waist. "Given the circumstances, no. You're trying to reassure him that you're there for him. This is nothing you've done, Lou. You're a fantastic mum."

I smiled and cuddled closer into him. "Tell me though—if you think I'm mollycoddling him. Please."

"I will." He ran his hand up and down my back and kissed me. "Last night was incredible. How are you feeling?"

I blushed. "A little sore but it was more than worth it."

"I don't have to leave for work for another hour..."

"A whole hour? Well, I am a lucky girl."

He chuckled before melting his perfect lips to mine.

***

Before Jake left for work, he surprised me with something I'd never expected.

"I'm taking you both down to my house for the weekend," he said, smiling. "Be packed and ready to leave for early afternoon."

I stared at him, dumbfounded. Words were stuck in my throat.

"It's not that shocking is it?" he asked, chuckling. "I just thought you could both use a bit of time away to chill out and relax. Forget as much of this as you can."

Tears welled up in my eyes. Not only was it incredibly sweet, but very much needed. "Thank you. That would be perfect."

Leaning down to kiss me goodbye, he simply said, "No need to thank me, baby. It's my pleasure."

After he left, I laid in bed, dozing in and out sleep. To just rest and do nothing was starting to become a friend of mine. It almost felt as if each hour I spent just being was another piece of my tattered self being stitched back together.

Once the spring sunshine illuminated my darkened eyelids, I gave in and forced myself away from the comfort of my bed. Getting Harvey ready for school, we were both silent. His eyes were red and shadowed by bags underneath. He didn't make eye contact with me once. I suspected he was feeling as awful and awkward as I was. Despite his age, Harvey was a sensitive lad who always thought of other people's feelings.

He trundled downstairs for breakfast, mumbling a 'Morning' to Marco. I grabbed my phone from my bedroom, pulled a brush through my hair, and tried to think positively for the weekend ahead. I wasn't even thinking as far ahead as Monday when I was due to go back to work, and also when Jake would be leaving for his promotional tour in France.

Sorting out bowls of cereal, I hummed to myself as I sat down and started eating. Like any other morning, I tapped my phone screen to bring it to life so I could take it off silent. My heart stopped dead in my chest. A breath lodged in my throat.

Fifty-six text messages, seventeen missed calls and three voicemails.

"Marco...," My voice trembled as I called for my walking mountain.