One Day You'll Be Mine(20)

“Stop blushing, woman. Seriously, you’re a wonderful person. You cook, you clean, you’re much focused and family oriented.” She looked over my figure, clad in a heather gray sundress with pink flowers. “And I know you don’t like the weight you claim you’ve gained since having Jordan, but get over it. You have a very sexy shape, more of a feminine figure. Women would kill for your breasts and hips.”

“Mom, can I play outside until Dad gets home?” Jordan interrupted. It was after seven in the evening. If the past week was any indication, Hollis wouldn’t be home until close to midnight.

I looked over my son, whose body seemed to be getting lither by the day, and nodded. “Make sure you take the trash out first, okay?” He nodded, excitedly changing the trash. “Mom I’m going to do the dishes for you too, okay?”

“Thank you sweetheart!” I beamed. My son was the light of my life. Since Hollis got home whenever he felt like it, I figured this one time wouldn’t hurt, especially since Kelli was spending time here for once. We cooked lasagna, made garlic bread, and enjoyed some sangria while Jordan had a non-alcoholic version made just for him. In my mind, he’d play outside until tiredness kicked in at nine, and take himself to bed at ten.

Kelli looked at me incredulously. “You know Hollis is going to flip out if he comes home late to see Jordan outside playing past his curfew.”

I shrugged. I was devoted to my husband, and my family, but I couldn’t care less. “Jordan’s getting ready to start school in a few weeks. He’s been on top of his personal studies, he’s never given me any problems, and he’s been well behaved at daycare all summer. He’s a good kid. I’m not going to tell him no just this once.”

“As for Hollis,” I added. “He’s already not speaking to me. Maybe seeing his son waited up to see him come home will make him realize this is bigger than what we’re going through because we have a child to raise.”

Kelli’s eyes were proud. “Look at you, being all rebellious. Keeping roses from another man on display, and then letting your son play until his father comes home. Just breaking all the rules today!”

“Oh hush! Jordan’s a good boy.” I eyed the roses on the counter. They still looked like they were picked yesterday. “As for those flowers, they’re beautiful. And since they’re not from my husband, I tell myself they’re a reminder that even if I’ll never know who, someone else wants me.”

“Whatever makes you smile, makes me smile,” she said, taking another sip from her glass.

***

We sipped on sangria and chatted about whatever as we half-watched television. Eight came and went. Nine came and went. Jordan crawled inside at 10:30 PM, completely sweaty and tired, without me having to tell him.

“Mom, have you called dad to see when he’s coming home?” he inquired. “It’s like 2 AM right now!”

“No, darling, it’s not even midnight yet. You’re just up past your bedtime. I spoke to your father, and he’ll be home a little later than usual.” I lied, because I didn’t care to speak to Hollis. His pattern had become relatively obvious. He would stay out as late as possible to avoid the both of us for the time being.

Jordan groaned. “I’m too tired to wait up.”

“Take your shower, and prepare for bed,” I encouraged. “We’ll give him a little extra time to show up. If he’s not back by the time you’ve put on your pajamas, you’re free to go to sleep.”

An audible groan escaped as he complied with my request. I chuckled, because usually he was the one that wanted to stay up all night, and I had to convince him to go to his room. But I held out silent hope that Hollis would walk in by 11, just to see the exhausted yet hopeful look on his Jordan’s face, and realize just how much he missed spending time with his dad.

At 10:45 PM, the doorbell rang. Kelli and I looked at the door. “Who’s that?”

“I don’t know. Nobody comes over – especially at night. And nobody ever rings that doorbell either.”

The doorbell rang again, prompting me to lift myself from my comfortable spot on the couch. Wild thoughts filled my head as I tried to figure out who was at my door, and why. Was Hollis hurt? Was he in an accident? Was someone looking for him? Is there a fire? Do we need to evacuate?

Whoever was behind the other side of the door was impatient. Rapid taps replaced the doorbell.

“I’m coming!” I yelled out. I was frustrated that my husband disappointed his son yet again by not coming home on time. I was concerned that someone I didn’t know was knocking on the other side of the door. But their impatience brought out my annoyance.