Long nights and street lights

Angel child

10 months later

I was happy. Connor was happy. We had a dog, Millie, we had everything we needed to stay happy and healthy. It was actually working between us. Not to say that everything was perfect, that there were no fights, because of course there was, but I was happy at the end of every day. 

This lifestyle was now my lifestyle. No more old me, I was a more mature me. Connor had little things that annoyed me, but I guess we find that with everyone. He chewed loudly, he always had to know what was going on and he was kind of lazy when it came to cleaning, but that was him, those traits made him who he is, and I liked that.

My phone buzzed. I ignored it without even looking at the screen. I had to work in less than an hour and I needed to get ready. 

It buzzed again about 40 minutes later and again, I ignored it and got in the car and drove to work. 

"Hi Aisha, I didn't know you worked here?" Before me sat one of my Dad's colleagues. 

"Mark, hi. How are you?" I hoped with my fingers and toes crossed his name was Mark.

"It's Graham actually haha but yeah I'm alright I guess." My face went slightly red. "The place isn't the same without your Dad." 

I grimaced. Hearing he was missed from someone else wasn't anything I'd heard before. I smiled politely and tried to look calm and collected, reminding myself I was at work. "Yeah, he's definitely missed...Well I have to get back to work now, but I'll probably see you around I guess."

"Oh okay, see you." He said as I turned my back and hurried off. Before I'd even taken five steps he called out. "Aisha! I forgot to tell you, Jake is back in town." 

My whole body froze, including my heart. Without turning around I said "Thank you." Possibly not even loud enough for him to hear. 

That news shook me. He wasn't supposed to be back for another year. A sinking feeling in my stomach made me realise my days were numbered with Connor. My head told me I could stop myself and get away from him, but my heart knew better, this was a lost cause, and it showed. 

"Hey, how was work?" Connor asked not looking up from reading his newspaper. The way he sat on the couch and read the newspaper reminded me of Dad.

"Alright I guess." I said sulkily. 

"What happened?" He asked, still not looking up from his paper.

"I just ran into one of Dad's old mates." He finally looked up, but for only a brief amount of time.

"Oh darl, I'm so sorry." Silence. 

I made my way to the kitchen and pulled out a meal from the freezer. I didn't know how long this was going to last and I wanted to make the most of it but I also didn't want to affect Connor in any way whatsoever. 

"Babe, your phone's ringing."

"Who is it?" I called from the kitchen. There was a decent pause. 

"Well, ermm. Jake? Do I know this Jake?" I froze, for perhaps too long, making him suspicious, which he of course had the right to be. 

"He's a police man that was working on my parents' case." It was the truth but I could tell he wasn't 100% convinced. 

"Fair enough. Do you wanna answer it?" I sighed. 

"Nah, I'll call him back later." I concentrated on eating my butter chicken. 

I texted him later that night from the shower. "Jake, what do you want? I know you're back in town but please just stay away, I can't afford to lose Connor. I don't want your interference, so please, just leave me alone." 

No reply came, even when I crawled into bed, so I left it be. 

Connor was shaking me to wake up. "Aisha. Should I be worried?" 

I rubbed my eyes and sat up in bed, he had my phone in his hand.