The War on Love

Chapter 23

Thomas's eyes were huge. "But Mum!"

"But nothing, Thomas. You can't see her any longer. I forbid it," Tasha orders.

He looks back and forth between his mother and I. "No."

"What did you just say?" Tasha sneers.

"No. Mother, I am going to be 26 soon! I can bloody think for myself! I don't care if you don't like her because I do! Actually. I don't like her." Tasha gives me a smug grin as the others look at him dumbfounded. "I love her," he finishes, kissing the back of my hand. "And Mother, I don't care what you think. I will love her even if you don't!"

"That's cute, Thomas. What does she think about Ringo?" Tasha presses.

"I think he was very talented. The Beatles are still one of the best bands I've ever heard," I say.

Tasha barks out in laughter. "Very funny, dear. I'm serious."

"I was too..." I say, rather confused.

"Oh, so you haven't told her?"

"What aren't you telling me?" I ask, turning to Thomas, folding my arm over my chest.

"That my mother is trying to ruin my life," Thomas grumbles.

"Thomas," I growl.

He chews on the inside of his lip and stares at his feet. "I have a son...."

"Named Ringo?"

"I was going through a bit of a Beatle phase..."

"So, you couldn't have picked something like John, or Paul? Or even George?!"

"Ringo sounded cool at the time...."

"Ringo Sangster.... Oh my God."

"Ringo Melling. When we broke up, Isabella took full custody and changed his last name to Melling," he explained.

"That doesn't make it better."

"Are you mad?" He asks slowly.

"We'll talk about it later," I conclude. End of conversation. Hopefully.

Tasha scowls. "No, no, dear. Let's talk about it now. I would like to hear what you have to say about my grandson."

"I just wish I would have heard of this child before now."

"I-I wanted to start fresh.... I figured telling you that I had a son would ruin it," Thomas mumbles.

"How would you feel after knowing me all this time if I said I had a kid with Hale?" I counter.

He scowls, trying to remember who Hale is. He looks at me sharply. "You have a random child with him!? And you didn't bother telling me!? What the bloody hell is wrong with you!? Having a child with that man! I honestly can't believe you would be stupid enough to sleep with him!" He yells, his face turning red with rage.

"You do realize that you aren't the only serious relationship I've ever had, right? I was engaged to Hale at one point!" I argue.

"You have a child with him AND you were engaged! Why the bloody hell am I just learning about this!?"

"Because I am just learning about Rambo or whatever you named that poor child!"

"Ringo!"

"Either way, that child is going to have a horrid childhood!" I shout.

"Thomas, is she really the kind of girl you want? Someone who keeps secrets from you? Who goes and sleeps around with other men?" Tasha interjects.