Checkmate

1

"Samy! Come on baby, breakfast's ready!" I shouted and grinned at the sound of his footsteps.

When he entered the kitchen, I chuckled as my eyes landed on his snickers, "Hunny, your shoes are not the same."

"But they have the check on them."

"I know but look at the shapes. This one is a bit pointier than this one. Also, the bottom for this one is black while that one is brown."

He examined both shoes for a moment before speaking, "I didn't see that," he said in a small apologetic voice and lowered his head.

"It's fine. Trust me, even grown-ups mix things up sometimes. I'll go get the right one for you."

   He gave me a cheeky smile while I took off one shoe and went upstairs. While I was in his room, I checked his backpack and pulled out his ninja turtle hoodie since it was pretty chilly outside. I made sure that he wasn't forgetting any books or notebooks before heading downstairs with the right shoe in hand.

   After placing the plate of egg sandwiches with a glass of orange juice in front of him, I went back into the kitchen to finish cleaning up. For a while, I stood by the counter sipping on my hot coffee admiring the sight of my little angel. I couldn't believe he was almost eight years old. It felt like just the other day I was holding his tiny body in my arms as I fed him. Celine did say they grow up fast and I was learning day by day how accurate that statement was.

   At the thought of my aunt, a wave of sadness washed over me. I missed her so damn much. When I found out I was pregnant, she was there for me as she always had been. If we'd met sooner, I could say that she supported me my whole life and she never stopped until her dying breath, and even then, she still had my back.

   I was only twenty-three when I got pregnant and had just started law school. Sam's father, Colton, was my boyfriend at the time and we both had no idea what we would do. The thought of giving up on my dreams terrified me, but that option was quickly off the table when I got a taste of what life would be like if I had to rely on Colton. Thankfully, I had Celine by my side and her presence and encouragement made it possible for me to make it through.

   She would watch over Sam while I was at school or working and gave us a roof to live under. It was devastating when she passed away from a stroke. Sam had just turned two years old at the time and that was also around when Colton and I went our separate ways. Thinking back, I wouldn't have done things differently. Colton was my first love, and unfortunately still is the only man I ever got involved with romanticly. Back then I was too young and naive to fight against the emotional abuse he put me through. I kept finding excuses for him when he'd cheat and always welcomed him back.

It wasn't until one memorable morning that I finally kicked him out for good and I haven't seen him since.

"Mom?" Sam's small voice brought me out of my thoughts.

"Yes, sweetie."

He quietly walked to the sink and placed his plate in there before turning to me, "Do you think my dad will come to my birthday party this time?"

   My heartbeat quickened as I looked at him. It was the same thing every year. I never hid Colton from Sam. I'd shown him pictures and videos of him but since we broke up, I had no clue of his whereabouts. Still, every year Sam would save him an invitation to his birthday party. We never had an address to send it to, so in the end, it remained in a drawer with all the others. I had the means to find him. I could track him down and force him to deal with his responsibilities towards his son, but what good would that do? There's a reason why he never looked back. Why is a question that has yet to be answered, and I honestly doubt I want to know.