What It Takes

Chapter 5- Being Civil

CHAPTER 5

“Mama?” Talan called from where he was sitting in front of the giant television screen.

“Yeah baby?” I asked as I sat down next to him.

“Where is daddy?” I gasped and closed my eyes. I could feel Talan looking at me, slowly i opened my eyes and looked at him also. I knew I couldn't tell him the truth, his innocent soul just wouldn't be able to handle it. I pulled him down onto my lap and stroked his arm in a loving manner.

“He... He’s working.” I told him.

“Is he still at our old home mama?”

“Yes.” That was that Talan redirected his attention to the TV, while I went back to the kitchen to finish making dinner. Just outside the window standing on the deck was Jace and some red head standing closely, not even a piece of paper could fit between them. I rolled my eyes and continued chopping lettuce. He was such a player, sure Ashton told me stories about him getting around but I never truly believed it until now.

Its been a week since we arrived at the beach and Jace has been gone nearly all day everyday hanging out with the red head, I assumed. I started making preparations for the garden on the first day we arrived while Jace didn't help a bit. Mr. Fairfeild was arranging the 5k, and I was working on the garden and playground.

Talan’s energy has been diminishing, he begged and begged to go on the beach but his health was not good enough. So instead he spent most of his time in front of the TV and helping me with preparations. Unfortunately we still had yet to find a donor for Talan’s transplant but I still had hope.  

“Making anything good?” I turned around from where I was standing in front of the stove stirring pasta. Jace was now standing in the doorway smirking at me, his hair was pointing in all directions. I bet he’s been having fun.

“Mostaccioli and salad.” I responded, “Want some?”

“Yeah i’d love some.” Jace answered while sipping on a beer. His arms and face were red, I assumed he forgot to apply sunscreen.

“Your dad is coming this weekend. He wants to get all the planning done as soon as possible.” Jace nodded his head not really seeming to care. I went on, “He mentioned that you are taking over the firm come end of summer.”

Jace slammed his beer down on the counter and looked over at me, his jaw was clenched. Instantly I cringed away from him. Closing my eyes I was not in the kitchen with Jace, I was with Andrew.

“Damnit Isabel how could you be so selfish!” Andrew yelled at me. We had just finished eating dinner and I had asked Andrew to drive me to the mall so I could get some new clothes. At the time I was two months pregnant with Talan. He stormed over to me and grasped my shoulders, shaking me. “I worked all day in the heat and all I want to do is relax in the air conditioning.” He growled.

I was appalled. This was the first time Andrew acted so insane, he was usually calm. So I did what any normal person would do. I stood up to him. I knocked his arms off my now tender shoulders and backed away from him.

“Don’t be such an ass Andrew.” I said calmly, “I have every right to ask you. You are not the boss of me, this is a partnership.” I said gesturing between us, “I’m going to the mall and you are not going to stop me.”

Andrew reached out and smacked me across the face. I looked up at him with pure hate and moved past him in attempt to leave. I knew I needed to leave, under no circumstance would I have this baby with him around. I didn't get far before Andrew caught up to me and pulled me into him. At first I thought he was going to hurt me again, but after trying to get away from him and failing I realized he was crying. He kissed my head and muttered multiple incoherent apologies.

“Please don’t leave.” He wailed, “I love you so much. I’m so sorry i’ll never hurt you again. I’ll take you to the mall, I don’t mind.” I made the biggest mistake that day, I believed him.

I was crying when I finally opened my eyes and realized I was not with Andrew. There was Jace kneeling in front of me with concern clear across his face. I whipped my tears and stood up, my knees knocking. Leaning against the counter for support I looked at Jace, he looked devastated.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” I demanded.

Immediately he looked taken aback, “I... I didn't mean to upset you so much.” He stuttered.

I walked past him doing my best to keep my composer. “You didn’t, i’m fine.” I muttered.

“But you were crying.” Jace called out.

I closed the door of the den so Talan wouldn't hear us talking, then turned around and faced Jace straight on. “Yes Jace I was crying.” I stated. “Yes you frightened me for a moment, wait I take that back not even a moment, you scared me for less than a millisecond.  Your reaction simply triggered a bad memory I have. But remember this, you can’t go acting like that again, slamming stuff around, having temper tantrums. Talan is sick and that kind of negativity is not good for him.”

I could feel Jace’s anger radiating off him, and I suddenly felt like staying here was not the best decision. That fact was I hardly knew the man standing in front of me. The only thing i knew about him was pretty much his first and last name. I couldn't keep putting Talan in these kinds of negative situations.

Jace finally spoke, “You’re right Isabel. Maybe you could just stay out of my business with my father. After all you are only here for the summer then you leave. Sure I put up a good face and was polite to you, but the fact is I don’t like you very much.”

I gasped, we were always civil to one another until tonight. Maybe its because we didn’t know each other enough to actually not be polite. Things became tense that night on between Jace and I, simply business. He was gone most days doing anything under the moon while I stayed back and enjoyed my time with Talan. Tonight was not any different than any other night, that was until Jace came into the den and ask if he could join us. Yes I admit I was a bit shocked that he actually wanted to spend time with us. But after sitting there watching him interact with Talan I realized he was not in there for “us” simply Talan.

“So bud how have you been feeling?” Jace asked Talan as we all watched Finding Nemo.

Talan’s face instantly lit up, “Good! Mama let me go outside to the beach today, but when we got there I was so sleepy.” Jace nodded his head.

“How do you like baseball?” Jace questioned.

Talan adored baseball, him and Andrew would play catch for hours at a time in the summer.

“My favorite team is the Brewers.” Talan said proudly. “Daddy brought me to brewer games all the time.” I smiled at the memory, every summer when we would go visit my parents all the boys would go to a brewers game. Talan would count down the days till he could go again.

“How would you like to come watch me play baseball?” Jace asked Talan.

“You play baseball?” Talan asked with his eyes nearling popping out of their sockets.

Jace nodded his head, “Not professionally. Some buddies of mine from the Navy formed a team and once a year we have a game. It actually pretty fun.”

Talan looked at me with a huge smile across his face. “Mama can we go?” He begged. I studied his joyous face, because deep down I had a feeling this could be the last time I see him so healthy looking. My heart melted, I just couldn’t say no.