BURNING DESIRE

Chapter 21

In the kitchen, I found Jimmy lost in thought. He stood by the counter, stirring a cup of coffee absentmindedly as if it held all the answers he was searching for. His brow furrowed slightly, and his eyes were fixed on some invisible point on the wall ahead—a portal into another world where worries melted away. At the table sat Oliver, my bright-eyed boy, devouring breakfast with enthusiasm that only children possess. Across from him was Taylor, sipping his coffee with an air of calmness that contrasted sharply with Jimmy's turmoil. The atmosphere felt strange and sad today; it hung like an unspoken conversation waiting to be addressed.  "Hey buddy," Taylor broke through our collective silence gently. "Are you ready for school?"

"I am! Mummy is taking me to school today," Oliver chimed back cheerfully before turning his gaze toward Jimmy. "Daddy Jimmy! Are you going to come and take me as well?" His smile radiated pure joy—a beacon against the undercurrent of sadness swirling around us.

Jimmy snapped back into focus at Oliver's words and handed me a steaming mug before replying softly yet assuredly, "Of course, I'm going to take you to school today." There was warmth in his voice meant only for Oliver;

As Oliver's face lit up brighter than any sunbeam breaking through morning clouds, I knew how hard Jimmy tried to mask what lay beneath—a struggle too heavy for such tender shoulders but one he'd bear nonetheless. 
" il go get a shower and get dressed". Jimmy announced, walking away.

"Have you finished all your breakfast?" I asked Oliver while leaning down to kiss his forehead—the sweet scent of syrup lingering on him.   "Yes! Daddy made me pancakes with bacon and syrup!" He beamed proudly as if announcing a grand achievement rather than just finishing breakfast. "Now can I go get my bag?"  "Go on upstairs then!" With excitement bubbling within him.

."Morning babe," Taylor said softly as he took a sip from his cup—his eyes meeting mine with concern etched across his features. "How did you sleep?"  I sighed heavily—the day before had been tumultuous and chaotic—a whirlwind of emotions grappling within me that left little room for peace or rest. "Not great," I admitted honestly.  "I didn't think you would; yesterday was...a lot." he said   "Hey babe," he coaxed gently while placing his hands upon my shoulders,—"Look at me: everything is going to be okay. Me and Jimmy are going to be by your side every step of the way—you are not alone in any of this."
His words washed over me soothingly—they struck chords deep inside where darkness threatened once more—but could never fully extinguish what light existed either—the embrace he pulled me into next sealed promises spoken aloud without needing further elaboration—it enveloped us both amid fragile strength we shared through laughter mingled along tears shed previously over countless struggles faced together already hand-in-hand throughout life's journey thus far...

The patter of little feet came bounding down steps suddenly drawing my attention away again—a tiny head peeked shyly around the kitchen doorframe shortly thereafter adorned in innocence —  "I have my bag mummy!" Oliver exclaimed excitedly now standing proudly upright clutching his backpack straps.

"What would my little man say if we went straight after school—to visit the park first followed closely behind by ice cream?" My voice dripped sweetness effortlessly.

"Yay!" echoed throughout space surrounding us, "But wait!" Oliver interrupted breathlessly bouncing up and down euphorically raising questions curiously. "Can Daddy Jimmy Uncle Tay Tay and my new friend, Lewis come his really cool. Did you know he puts up a ladder and climbs high up the ladder to get a baby cat out of a tree for an old lady?"  " wow he sounds like a hero for all Cats out there" Taylor said laughing. " and I'm sorry buddy, but I have an extra scene to film today," s
He said gently as she ruffled Oliver's tousled hair. "But I will try and meet you for ice cream afterwards."  Oliver's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, his small frame vibrating with anticipation. "Is daddy's little schoolboy ready for school?" Jimmy chimed in from behind us, freshly washed and dressed in his usual laid-back attire.
"Yes! I can't wait to show Daddy, my new teacher and my new friends!" Oliver exclaimed, his voice bubbling over with joy. "And I can't wait to tell my teacher and my new friends that I made a new friend who is so cool! He puts out fires and saves cats from trees!"  Taylor and Jimmy chuckled softly. And we made our way out to the car.

As we walked towards the school entrance. The familiar stares of other parents greeted us—whispers trailing behind us like shadows.

Inside the classroom, Oliver took hold of Jimmy's hand, leading him into a world filled with colourful drawings and excited laughter. With an air of confidence beyond his years, he introduced Jimmy to Miss Mina—a woman whose warm smile had begun to soften under the weight of celebrity encounters—and Mr Elliot, who simply nodded in acknowledgement.  As I observed Oliver navigate through this social maze effortlessly, my heart swelled with pride mixed with nostalgia; how quickly time passed! But not everyone seemed eager to let them be just another family amidst the chaos. Kneeling down beside Oliver while he prepared for their goodbye—the one where he would promise he'd be good all day—Jimmy suddenly found himself interrupted by an eager woman strutting over like she owned the place.  "Oh my gosh, your Jimmy Carter, Can I have a selfie with you Jimmy please?" she gushed flirtatiously while batting her eyelashes.  "Um sure," he replied politely but firmly as if rehearsing lines from some script written long ago. "But can we do it outside the classroom? I'm trying to say goodbye to my son."

I watched as Jimmy managed this moment effortlessly; it was almost charming how used to it we were becoming to these interruptions—noticing how gracefully we navigated through life under such glaring lights. 
Once outside beneath the sprawling oak tree, the woman who requested a selfie followed swiftly on its heels: "Would you take a photo of me and Jimmy together please?"

The woman slid next to him seamlessly before throwing an arm around his waist as if they were old friends posing for prom night photos—a blend of innocence shattered by fame's allure. I snapped that shot—handing her phone smilingly while feeling slightly amused by it all.

The woman slipped a note into Jimmy's back pocket before strolling away without looking back—a token left behind from yet another fleeting encounter in their lives filled with glamour but also unpredictability and another fan.

Jimmy rolled his eyes playfully after watching her disappear into throngs of parents, scrunching the piece of paper up and throwing it into the bin.  "What have you got planned for the rest of your day?" I asked curiously as we approached the car parked nearby—the metallic silver shining brightly against morning dew droplets glistening under sun rays filtering through branches above.  "I'll drop you off at the station," he began casually but then added mischievously: "and maybe hang around watching your film for a while... Who knows? Susan may even offer me a last-minute part."   We both shared hearty laughter echoing sweetly throughout the street.