Struggles of a Single Father (Book 1 of the Struggle Puff Series)

Chapter 15

Edited – 2/23/2020

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When we walked into Fabiano's Pizza, the booth we reserved was already set up with balloons and presents. Ain's eyes lit up when the realization that this was for him finally set in.

Once at the table, he let Tilisia slip into the booth before following behind her. I could see the ghost of a smile on his lips.

"How'd you get all of this done?" He asked quietly.

"We had Jake set it up while we were at the party. That's why he was so late." Amy explained.

Ain's eyes shimmered as if he were about to cry, and if he was, he didn't let it out.

"Thank you so much."

"Anything for you, Ain. I'm sorry we couldn't do it on your actual birthday. Hell, if it weren't for Carter, this whole thing would've failed." She gave me a pointed look.

"I didn't do anything. Amy planned it and Jake set it up. All I did was bring Tilisia." I admitted.

"That's the best thing you could've brought." He said. Almost immediately, his eyes went wide, and his face turned red when he realized what he had said. "Uh, I mean... about the uh..."

"Your present from me is pretending you didn't say that." I chuckled.

"Thanks." He muttered before recomposing himself, "Anyway, this really does mean a lot to me. I've never had a party like this. I love it."

We all smiled at him, but Tilisia, unaware of the moment we were sharing, decided to say what we were all thinking.

"I'm hungies!"

Ain smiled brightly; the first true smile I've seen him give since I first saw him that day, "Then let's order food."

The night went on without a hitch. We ordered a large pepperoni pizza for the table, sang happy birthday to Ain as the workers brought out a cake that we got for him, and ordered him an ice cream that he shared with Tilisia. When it was around 8 PM we decided to call it a night.

"Do you need a ride home?" I asked.

"No, it's fine. Dad has a car waiting for us." She said with a smile.

"Why would he have a car waiting?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Her tone was coy.

"No, it is not obvious. Care to explain?"

"Wait, dude. You seriously don't know?" Jake cut in.

I was officially confused at what they were talking about, and them trying to imply that I knew wasn't helping.

"Will you guys just tell me!"

"Dad knew what we were doing tonight. That's why he didn't say anything to calm Julia down when she got mad at me. He knew that if she calmed down, we'd have to stay longer to clean up." She explained with a smirk.

I was genuinely shocked. I just thought he was being a spineless asshole. Now I feel guilty.

"Now I feel like a jerk for thinking he was a jerk. Why didn't you tell me?"

"We thought it was obvious." She said with a shrug.

If that was supposed to be obvious than that would make me the most oblivious person alive. Yet, I was happy, regardless of my obliviousness. Because at that moment I knew, Ain did have at least one caring parent. And that's what really mattered.