Safe?

Chapter 37

 “And what are you doing here by yourself, Mattie?” I asked him.

“I’m waiting for my Daddy.” He said with a huge smile. “He’s taking me to the park and then, we’ll get ice-creams.” He said excitedly.

“Well, that’s nice!” I said.

“Yep.” He said. “Want to see my room?” He then asked me. “Daddy did it for me with his friends. It’s awesome.” He exclaimed proudly.

He was holding his hand out for me to take it. How could I say no to such a cutie?! So I took it, and he led me to the room after Luke’s.

The guys had indeed done an awesome job of redoing the room.

The walls had been painted navy blue. One, had that huge glowing in the dark spider web spun in the middle and on the side, a larger than life Spiderman who seemed to be protecting the whole room.

A moon and stars had been spray-painted on the wall adjoining the balcony.

In front of Spiderman, a pirate boat bed had been built, complete with a white and black flag and a spotting scope at the front.

Many colorful boxes contained enough toys to entertain an entire kindergarten.

“Awesome, isn’t it?!” He repeated excitedly.

I had to close my gaping mouth.

“It’s awesome alright, Mattie boy…”

“I don’t know what to tell my Mom, though…” He looked sad all of a sudden.

“What do you mean?” I motioned for him to come to me.

He looked on the edge of tears.

“Well, she’s really unhappy about my Daddy…” One tear started rolling on his cheek and my heart broke.

“How so?” I asked him softly.

“Because he doesn’t love her anymore…” He broke into tears.

“Hey, come here!” I pulled his shaking little body to me and hugged him. “I’m sure your mother will meet someone who loves her and whom she loves someday, and she’ll be happy again… That’s how it works, you know?”

“But she says it’s because of me if he doesn’t love her!” He cried out in despair.

“Shhhh. Mattie, listen to me…” He was trembling in my arms. “It is not your fault. Do you hear me?!” I pulled away slightly so that we were looking at one another. “It has nothing to do with you! It’s between the two of them, you know adults’ stuff… And the only thing that matters is that they love you, Mattie.” I pointed to his room. “That’s evidence enough of how much your daddy cares about you…”

“You think they love me?” He managed to ask between two hiccups.

“I don’t think it, Mattie. I know it!” I stated firmly looking at him straight in the eye.

He crashed his little body into my arms.

“What’s your name?” He whispered.

“I’m Lily…”

“Are you Daddy’s Lily?” He asked, looking startled.

“Ready, Mattie?” Luke interrupted us. His voice sounded different. I looked up and saw the unshed tears in his eyes.

He had witnessed his son’s breaking down. I felt like running to him to erase the pain from his handsome face.

“I’m ready, Daddy.” Mattie answered.