This Love

The Park

Adam kept walking towards me. He looked me right in the eye and wouldn't break his stare. He reached me and stood 2 feet away from me.

"Hi Syd," Adam said. "Hi Adam," I said. "What have you been up to lately?" He asked. "Taking care of my 3 year old son," I said. "Did you and Vince get married?" He asked as he pointed to my ring. "Yeah, 5 months after you left," I said. "Wow, congrats," He said.

"I should say the same to you. I saw your tweet," I said. "Thanks," He said. "When did you get back with her?" I asked him. "Around the same time you and Vince got married," He said. "I'm happy for you," I said. "Really?" He asked. "Yeah," I lied. "I'm happy for you too, Syd," He said.

"Mommy!" Bentley shouted as he ran up to me. I picked him up and kissed his cheek. "Who's that?" Bentley asked as he pointed to Adam. "That's mommy's friend. Remember the picture in the family room with your sister?" I said. "Oh yeah! Hi mommy's friend," Bentley said as he waved at Adam. I watched Adam's facial expression turn to upset.

"Bentley, this is Adam," I said. "Hi Adam," Bentley said. "Hi Bentley," Adam said. "Can I go in the sandbox mommy?" He asked. "Sure," I said as I set him down and he ran off. I sat down on the park bench and Adam sat next to me.

"He looks just like you, Syd." He said. "Except for your dimple," I said. "Yeah. You've done a great job of raising him, Syd." He said. "Thanks. He's my pride and joy," I said. "You're a great mother, Syd." He said. "Thanks," I said. We sat there in silence, watching Bentley play in the sandbox. He giggled and smiled, which warmed my heart. "He's a great kid," Adam said. I nodded my head and gave him a slight smile. "Syd, I...." Adam said before I cut him off.

"Bentley has ADHD," I said.

"What?" Adam asked as he looked back and forth between Bentley and I. "Bentley has ADHD, Adam. He got your gene for it. We found out last year," I said. "Wow. Why didn't you ever tell me?" He asked. "You didn't ask about him, come to see him, or even contact me, Adam. I wasn't about to just call you and tell you that your son has ADHD." I said.

Before Adam could say anything else, Bentley ran over to us. "Can Adam push me on the swing, mommy?" Bentley asked. "Sure baby. If it's ok with Adam," I said. Bentley looked at Adam with his puppy dog face that I could never say no to. Adam gave in right away.

I sat on the bench and watched Adam push Bentley on the swing. He had the biggest smile on his face. Bentley was smiling and laughing. After 10 minutes, Bentley got off the swing and ran over to the slide. Adam walked back over to me.

"I better go. Anne needs me home," He said. "We better get going too," I said. "Bentley, come on it's time to go," I said. "No!" Bentley shouted. "Bentley Adam Levine, get over here now!" I shouted. Bentley dragged himself back over to me. I looked at Adam and he had a shocked look on his face.

"What? Just because he has ADHD doesn't mean I have to treat him any differently," I said. "No, that's not what I'm shocked at. Bentley, what's your name. Your full name?" Adam asked. "Bentley Adam Levine," Bentley said. "Your name is my middle name!" Bentley exclaimed. "Yeah, it is," Adam said.

"Can Adam walk home with us, mommy?" Bentley asked. "If Adam wants to," I said. "I would love to," Adam said. Bentley started walking ahead of Adam and I. "Why didn't you change his last name?" Adam asked. "Honestly, I don't know. Vince always tried to convince me to, but I just didn't have the heart." I said. "You're still his father, no matter what I say or how I feel. He will always be your son. He just doesn't need to know. When he gets older, he'll find out and I'll tell him everything. But not now. He won't understand," I said as we approached our house.

I picked Bentley up. "Bye Adam," Bentley said. "Bye Bentley," Adam said as I opened the door. I set Bentley down and he ran inside. "Bye Adam," I said. "Bye Syd," Adam said. I walked inside and shut the door.

I walked over to the kitchen counter and saw a note from Vince.

Hey Syd, had to go to New York for a movie meeting. I'll be back in 3 days. Love you. Love Vince

I grabbed the note and ran back to the front door. I opened it and saw Adam walking on the sidewalk. "Adam!" I shouted. He looked back at me. "Yeah?" He asked.

"Do you want to comeover for a bit?" I asked.