Chasing Destiny

3

Lloyd quietly played with his pasta before he looked at his mother who had a worried look on her face.

After dinner, Lloyd began to search for something to read in the bookshelf while Misty began to think of ways for today's incident to never repeat again.

If moving cities was the only way she'll do it.

No matter what.

Misty was taken back to from her train of thoughts when Lloyd walked towards her and asked with a puzzled face "Who are they, mom?"

Misty took the book out of Lloyd's hands and was surprised to see it was one of her old college journalism class books. She opened it to the page Lloyd showed her and almost dropped the book to the floor when she saw the taped picture inside the book.

The picture was her in her freshman year of high school with her two best friends...

They were all laughing and hugging in the picture.

Misty has tears streaming down her eyes and forgot that Lloyd was standing right beside her.

"Who is he mom?" Lloyd said pointing to a man in the middle.

"My love." Misty whispered.

"He was my love..." Misty replied more loudly to Lloyd who could only flash her a sad smile.

Days turned into weeks and any signs of the grocery dude were gone.

However now Misty struggled to make ends meet. She struggled so hard to pay rent and food while having a solo job which wasn't going good as every magazine headquarters rejected her issue.

Misty's mental and physical health began to suffer even more to the point she would get headaches frequently.

After five months Misty was officially broke and on the verge of getting kicked out of her apartment. She didn't have any money nor food on her and if she continued in this path social service would take custody of her child.

Lloyd wasn't aware of any of the issues Misty was going through and she wanted to keep it that way.

Misty smiled weakly at the cashier in front of her and got her bag of fruit and was surprised to see Lloyd was missing.

"Not again," Misty muttered before she started looking for him.

Misty found him 3 minutes later outside the store on the porch. He was petting a big golden retriever with the name tag "Pikachu".

As soon as Lloyd saw Misty he came rushing towards her. Misty's face lit up and scooped her son while she kissed his cheeks.

However, Lloyd's attention was behind her as Lloyd stayed still, staring at the person behind them.

The man looked at the kid in Misty's arms and was shocked when the kid extended his hand towards him.

His heart fluttered. He was captivated. Something from this boy made him drawn to. Something about him was so familiar.

The man just smiled softly at the boy.

Lloyd continued to outstretch his arms to the man. Wanting to touch the man.

"He's your love." Lloyd whispered in Misty's ear as he tried to reach him.

Misty froze in place as her son kept trying to outstretch his arms even further.

"Enough Lloyd." Misty said sharply which caused Lloyd to yell,"NOOO. IT'S HIM."

"WHO ARE YOU?" Lloyd yelled at the man before he burst out crying. He was so confused as to why one of the men in the picture was right behind his mom but she didn't want to see him.

"I'm so sorry if I made you cry. Please, buddy, let's just go home." Misty said quietly as she began to walk away.

"Misty..." she heard the man say in a weak voice behind her.

Misty bit her lips and didn't dare to turn around. Her eyes were already red from the tears making their way down her cheeks.

"Misty.. please."

Misty now hugged Lloyd tighter as she felt the man stepping closer to her.

"Misty please give him to me."

Misty shook her head. Lloyd's head was softly against her shoulder as he was still crying silently.

"Please Mist."

Misty turned around slowly and now really looked at the man before her.

He changed much since the last time she saw him. He grew taller and was more well built. He had nice tan skin and damn it, he still made her weak to her knees.

The man took this opportunity to scoop Lloyd out of Misty's arms to which Misty allowed.