Without You

Two

My mom and I sat in my dining room as I took care of my bills for the month. She had a look on her face as if she was deep in thought about something. "What are you thinking so hard about?"

She shook her head, "Nothing, dear." I peered my eyes at her. She was tapping her fingers on the glass table as she looked up at the ceiling. I gave her a look. "Fine. I don't mean to insult you, I know it's a touchy subject about but umm..." She paused as she tried to find the right words. "Didn't Evan have life insurance that was written in your name? If I remember correctly it was about one-"

I cut her off, "I could care less about the money. I would trade it all in for him back." My body unconsciously stood in shock and narrowed my eyes at her identical ones. "His son won't be able to meet him, touch him, he won't be there for his games, or won't be able to go to work with him." My eyes began to water as I thought about Ian's future without him. "Ian doesn't have a father. I could care less about the money, Mom. You know this. Do you really think that when he died I was thinking about his god-damn life insurance? No! I was thinking about Ian. He's what matters, not how many zeros that are in my bank account." A tear slid down my cheek and I rushed to wipe it away.

"I'm-" She began but a figure in the doorway diverted both of our attentions.

Ian stepped into the room, wiping the sleep form his eyes. "Hey momma, hey nana." He smiled lazily and walked over to us. "I'm hungry mama." I nodded and stood and walked toward the kitchen where I had made sandwiches.

"Mya, just. Just go down to the insurance company, just check. I have a weird feeling about this." She smiled softly and I nodded. I didn't want to talk about this.

The next weekend, Ian and I headed to the insurance company. I didn't necessarily want to do this but my mom did have a point. Plus, I needed her nagging to stop. As I stepped into the office, I remembered my first time in here with Ethan.

Evan and I's fingers were interlocked as we walked into the insurance office. "Do we have to do this? I mean we're not going to be dying anytime soon. Insurance is for old people." He laughed and we sat down on the chairs in the foyer.

"Mya, insurance is for security, what if I get shot and am in the hospital. How are we going to pay for it? I know that you're stubborn but think about it babe." He held my hands and made me look into his green eyes. "Just listen to the agent and if you don't want to, you don't have to get a claim. Okay?" I nodded and leaned forward so our lips touched.

That day, I had given into Evan -as I did with everything and gotten a claim. A small tug on my skirt brought me back to the present. I held Ian's hand as I walked up to the desk, "Hello, I was hoping to talk about Rodger about my husband's claim."

The blonde smiled, "I'm sorry, you can't do that without your husband present."

I narrowed my eyes at the woman, "Unless you want me to dig him up from the grave and drag him in here, that's impossible." I raised my eyebrow, challenging her.

She looked a bit uncomfortable, "Uh, you can walk right in, his office is the first on the left."  I nodded. I walked passed the desk and to the small office where I knew Rodger would be sat with a warm smile on his face. I knocked on the door before opening the door. The room was completely different from the last time I had come in. The dark wood desk was now one of glass which sat in front of two stylish chairs instead of Rodgers crummy seats.

I looked up to see a seemingly handsome man in his late forties with salt and pepper hair and warm brown eyes. "Uh, I think I've gotten the wrong office." I swore the sign has said Rodger Harrison. "Where's Rodger Harrison?"

The man chuckled as he stood and rounded his desk. "Mr. Harrison was fired for various reasons." He paused and smiled at me. "I'm Erik Rodriguez, I will be taking over all his clients." He gestured for the chairs, "Have a seat." I sat down and Ian sat in the chair beside me, playing with an action figure that my mother had given to him before she left to go back to New York.

He sat behind his desk, "So, what did you come in here for, Ms. Davenport?" I raised my eyebrows, how did he know my name? He laughed at my surprised face, "There's a file I was given with all his clients along with their photos and situations." He retrieved what I assume to be my file and scanned it. "Unfortunately, I have not had the opportunity to look through yours Mrs. Davenport." He smiled at me before closing the folder and putting back in the cabinet. "Can you please explain your situation to me?"

I nodded and twiddling my thumbs as I thought how I should word this so I didn't seem crazy. "My mother-in law told me that my husband died a few years. I was accused of cheating on him with his brother thus, excluded from the burial and service. My husband and I had gotten married in secret. When he died I wasn't thinking of the money, I'd just lost the love of my life. My mother brought it up last week and to satisfy her I am here today to acquire the money."

He nodded and began to type into his computer. "That's his son?" I nodded. "He's cute. I remember when I had my first child." He paused and gulped. "My wife died during childbirth, so I can understand your situation" I nodded silently as he continued to type into the computer.

"How-how do get over it?" He stopped typing and raised a brow at me. "How do you move on? It's been five years yet I feel as if he's going to walk in at any moment, saying that this was one big joke." I gave a pained smile.

It was quiet for a while he spoke. "I would tell you if I knew but, I simply don't." He continued to scroll and type into his computer. What felt like forever, he stopped and stared at his computer in confusion. "Looks like Rodger Harrison your former insurance agent was granted the money, are you related?" I shook my head, knitting my eyebrows together, why would Rodger be given the money? "Maybe your husband." He suggested.

I shook my head still confused. "Rodger was in no shape or form related to either of us." I ran my hand through my hair. I stood and grabbed my bag. "Can you look into this, I would hope I don't have to end up suing the company for some simple mistake."

Mr. Rodriguez stood and smiled. "I honestly do hope this is all a mistake. I will call you." I shook his hand and gave a tight smile.

Ian stood and smiled at the older man. "Have a nice day sir!" He waved and followed me out the door to the exit.

I really hope that this was some big mistake. I closed my eyes and wished Evan was here so I wouldn't have to be going through this.