Memory

Chapter 21

Present time.

David P.O.V

There were very few chances my and Jackson's lunch schedules matched up, so we usually had lunch together at Johnny Rockets or any fast-food restaurant we felt like driving to.

I got the Rocket Chilli dog with a side of fries and a large cookies' n cream milkshake, while Jackson got the Crispy Chicken Club sandwich with a side of fries and a large Sprite.

"You know I forgot to say this, but I'm happy as hell you finally asked her out on that date," he said, slapping me on the arm. I'm also glad you had a good time."

"How could you tell?" I asked, picking up three fries and placing them in my mouth.

"Cause you had that same grin on your face like the one you had four years ago, except this one was much bigger than last time," he laughed, patting me on the back. "The instant I saw that look, it automatically reminded me of the first time you met Jennifer. You were like a damn puppy meeting their future owner".

"Ok, now you're exaggerating." I roll my eyes.

"No, I'm not. It's the truth," he says with a smug grin.

"No, it isn't."

"Yes, it is."

"No, it isn't."

"Yes, it is."

Flashback

"I'll take it that this teacher was hot as hell for you to be glancing out the window grinning like a creep," My friend Jackson said as he stopped at a red light.

"Hot is an understatement," I scoff, glancing at him. "She's breathtaking. The moment I walked into that classroom and saw her, everything around me slowed down, and it was like she was the only other person in the world.To top it off, she's good with kids. Isabella is usually shy with new people, but it's like they just clicked."

"Damn, is my man David back in the game after all these years" he chuckles.

"No, I slightly flirted with her, but that's it. I didn't go over the top like you do all the time".

"Ouch, you make it sound like it's a bad thing," he fake cries, placing his hand over his heart. "I'll have you know my "over-the-top" flirting has worked on women plenty of times."

"Surprisingly," I mumbled, hoping he heard that.

"You know I heard that right".

"Good, I was hoping you did."

After stopping by McDonald's to get the food I promised Isa, we finally returned to my apartment complex.

Walking inside, I throw my keys into the essential bowl and plop on my couch after having a long day.

"Isa, do you want to watch a movie while you eat?" Jackson asks, reaching for his phone and pulling up the YouTube app. "You can watch that Lilo and Stitch movie you love so much."

"Yea," she says, jumping in excitement.

He puts the phone down in front of her, hands her his headphones, and then turns the movie on since Isa is still learning how to operate technology.

Making his way over to the couch to sit next to me, I noticed the expression on his, and it began to make me feel nauseous.

Jackson is usually a goofy, carefree type of guy, so I know it's something important when he looks serious.

"I know this is a touchy subject for you, but do you still not know who Isabella's mom is?"

I knew it.

I don't really like talking about this all that much because it is embarrassing as hell. I mean, who forgets the whole identity of their child's mother? 

Whenever I do try to remember, I get these awful migraines along with these nightmares, so I'm just trying to move past it.

"What's making you ask me this again?"

"Well, this is the first time in the two years I've known you that you've talked about a woman, the only other time you did was when you were telling me you don't have a shit clue who your daughters' mother is, so it kind of made me curious to know if you have any idea who she is yet" he answers leaning back on the couch. "I also don't need you calling me saying that your crazy baby mama, whoever the hell she is, is trying to harass you because you are dating this gorgeous teacher.

Classic Jackson, cracking jokes to lighten the mood.

"Well, to answer your question, no, I still don't know who her mother is. All I remember was waking up in the hospital with Isabella next to me when she was a baby and the nurses saying they found me passed out in the hallway intoxicated and looking beat the fuck up, holding little Isa in my arms, anything else before that is a blur".

"Okay, so either you're involved in the cartel, had an amazing one-night stand, or a crazy lady got you drunk and had sex with you."

"I'm not involved in shit like that, so it isn't the cartel. I don't have one-night stands, and as for a woman getting me drunk just to take advantage of me, I doubt that because once I feel even a bit tipsy when I'm in public, I stop drinking".

"Hmm, right. Hopefully, you'll find out who she is someday or move on from it, whichever is better for you and my niece."

"I feel it'll be better for us to find her one day for closure. At least tell us why she just left without explanation, rather than me being clueless and Isabella wondering why she doesn't have a mom."

"Do you think it bothers her not to have a mom?"

"A little. Whenever one of Isa's friends talks about their plans with their mom, she has this sad look in her eyes, but the moment she sees me, she lights up, and it looks like she's completely fine." I answer, feeling guilty that she has to go through this. A child deserves to have a mother and a father, and because of my stupid decisions or whatever reason her mother isn't here, she can't have that. "I just don't want this to affect her in the future."

"Well, we will do everything in our power to make sure it doesn't bother her anymore," he assures me, resting his hand on my shoulder. Or we can give her a new mother if you ever decide to go out with that teacher," he smirks, a devious glint in his eyes.

"What do you mean a new mother?". I asked, worried he'd devise some stupid scheme like usual.

"Ok, let's say you ever go out with this teacher. It'll be good for you because you haven't been with anybody in centuries and deserve to be in a happy relationship. With Isabella, it'll be good for her because then she'll have a mother figure, which means no mother issues."

"I mean... yeah, those are some good points, but what if she isn't into single fathers, or she thinks I'm not in her league?".

Retracing his hand from my shoulder, he facepalms himself, shaking his head in disbelief.

"I can tell that this is going to take a minute."