AFFECTION

THIRTY

30

HOPE WELLINGTON

My mom had a way to bring me to her, and this time it was my son and husband, waiting for me, at their place. Their place basically was my own penthouse, but I know well it is no more just mine. They will leave their traces in every corner- so much that it will feel impersonal but homely. I knew there must be some nexus between David and my mother for they decided to meet up without asking me anything about it.

I sighed and rang the bell. My very chirpy mother opened the door, while Edward followed her. Oliver was sitting on his shoulder and very much enjoying the high place, giggling all too beautifully.

I went in and Oliver immediately made grabby hands at me, wanting to be transferred. I held him and kissed his head, "How was my little strawberry doing today?"

In turn, he only kissed my head as a return gift and hugged me.

"Where's Dadda?", he frowned at the question looking here and there, and then shrugged, getting busy in playing with my hair.

"David is upstairs. He's settling your things aside."

That made me stiff. My things? My things from Georgia?

"Mom? Why'd you let him touch that?", I said immediately taking off for my room.

"Because I am your husband.", I heard him even before I reached the end of the stairs.

I looked at him and examined. He looks okay, like nothing happened. He surely didn't see my things and if he did, I am sure he didn't make out anything out of them.

Just to be sure, i went upstairs when all of them got busy. My boxes were all arranged in rows, labelled as 'Important', 'Delicate', 'Waste to all, Important to Hope'.

I sighed as my heart calmed down, and then I sat on the bed.

He probably didn't even look at it all thoroughly. I thanked God, and went down only to see them chatting animatedly, while Oliver trying to imitate them.

I went and sat beside him, and he looked at me, "Are you sure now that i didn't mess up your things?"

I nodded, my heart beating a little faster at his raised eyebrows. This man can give me a heart attack anytime he wants. Since he's acting so normal, it further cleared my doubt about him knowing anything.

*

After dinner, Oliver was already sleeping on my shoulders as I settled in the car. He came and took a place beside me, in the backseat.

His gaze lingered on me for a few moments, making me look away. He didn't joke or make fun, but lightly looked away.
That had suspicion rising in my mind, and so I asked him, "What's wrong?"

Is he angry? Or he decided to ignore me again?

He shook his head, passed me a glance, and then kept his head on my other shoulder.

"Are you tired Dave?"

He hummed, "Not tired. I just want to hug you. But this little gooseberry is occupying my place."

I chuckled, "That little 'gooseberry' is your very own son. And why suddenly you want to hug me?"

He looked up and placed his chin on my shoulder, our faces insanely close, "Is it wrong if I want to hug you?"

I lightly shook my face, "Hugging me is not wrong. But why?"

"Just had a few flashbacks about you and me, back in school. I saw my hoodie in your things."