Days With Zion Dawsey

4. Realization

On Monday the following week, Zion once again visited his mother. But did not stay in front of her house for as long as usual. He realized that only a few minutes after he normally stayed, Ebony would come home from work after having picked up her son from wherever she puts him while she's at work. 

And for some reason, he always stayed until he watched Bonnie close her front door. He knew for a fact now that she lived there, only still had no idea why and for how long. He eventually accepted that he'll never know, seeing as he'd never knock on her door and have a friendly conversation with her. Instead, he watched her house like a fucking creep, he thought that evening.

Zion sighed and mentally prepared himself for driving away, since he normally didn't stay longer than that. He'd feel more like a stalker if he watched her through the windows after she went inside. So as usual, after two minutes of rest, he started up his car again and left the neighbourhood. 

The next day went by like that. And so did the following day. And the day after that. But one evening as he watched Bonnie park her car in the driveway, he frowned. He could see a passenger seated next to her.

His eyes narrowed as he focused on the person that stepped out of the car right after Bonnie did. It was a man, which immediately made Zion clench his jaw. The man looked familiar. Not someone he sees on a daily basis, but one he's- oh, he realized. That man was Cirus Kent. The wannabe business man that was in his office about a month ago. What in the world was he doing with Bonnie? He felt the need to step out of the car and strangle him as he stepped towards the back door of the car. 

Bonnie was by his side as she watched Kent duck into the car and take out her sleeping child. This time, Zion did not avert his eyes. He was too angry to not see what was going on. But he regretted it soon as all of a sudden, Kent and Bonnie didn't matter. It felt like the time slowed down as Zion watched as the boy with the already big curly mop on his head was carried into the house. 

His sleepy head fell onto Kent's shoulder and so his face was facing Zion's direction. Zion was too far away to actually see every detail of his face, but he did see the peaceful slumber his son was in...

Zion did a doublecheck. Did he just think of that kid as his son? That was not his son. It was Ebony Stewart's son and nothing else. The child was just the result of him and Bonnie having sex. He did not want that kid and he was happy with the way it was.

Was he? Then why the fuck was he parked on the other side of the street, watching her like a freaking stalker? What was wrong with him? He was not supposed to even care one bit. Bonnie kept her word and followed every single rule that their deal beheld. Did he too?

Zion shook his head as realization hit him. He had to stop that, whatever he was doing. He had to just keep on with his life and let her live in peace as planned. Their contact was over and he was done with her. 

So with more reluctance than he anticipated, Zion left his parking spot. 

But he couldn't help thinking about the whole scene as he sat in front of his computer. Once he reached home, he decided to completely focus on work, as there was nothing that should distract him form working. But after he turned off his computer, realizing he's worked until the sunrise, he realized that Cirus Kent was now in Bonnie's house. 

It was hard for Zion to believe that their meeting was business related, especially after Kent was holding Bonnie's child. Zion also couldn't believe that the man was just a friend of hers. A friendly visit at that time was unusual. 

And then Zion had a hard time believing that Kent's visit in his office a month ago was unrelated to the fact that he was now friends with Bonnie. Was he planning something? Were they both planning something? 

The more he thought about it, the more ridiculous he felt. How conceited of Zion to believe that everything was about him, wasn't it? But he was also a very clever man and couldn't help but think of all the possible reasons and connections, if there were any. 

In the end, Zion knew he was overthinking. Fortunately, that night he didn't take a drink or two. He was in a clear state of mind as he procrastinated. After almost another hour of brainwork, he finally decided to end his day.

The man stood up from his desk chair and went to sleep, only to wake up half an hour later as yet another nightmare ruined his slumber. Cold sweat ran down his face as his upper body shot up from the bed. His shirt was drenched in the back but he lied back down. 

He couldn't anymore, he thought as he looked up on the boring ceiling. He needed to change something or he'd never be able to sleep peacefully again. But he couldn't think of anything he could change in order to lose those nightmares. 

"I don't know what to do." He said softly, to no one in the room. He let a few moments slide as his first tear left his right eye, followed by another one. 
"I can't anymore, Kai. I fucking can't." His voice was quiet and broken. 

He waited a moment, hoping his brother would respond. Zion didn't believe in ghosts or paranormal activities. But in that moment, he really just wanted to have an answer. He closed his eyes, sobbing as his heart ached again. 

"I miss you so much." He whispered as he curled into a ball, laying on his side and yet another night, crying himself to sleep.