Redemption(90)

Evan nodded. “Thanks.” He saluted to Katie and Jeremy, and walked towards Bobby’s bed. I watched him, then turned back to Jeremy and Katie.

“He loves you,” Katie observed. “He got all nervous, like how they get in books sometimes. He kept fidgeting and acting funny.”

I shook my head with a smile. “I think I’ve been reading you too many stories, Katie.”

She just shrugged. “I’m just telling you what I see.”

I didn’t offer any more, despite knowing how right she was. It was a bit too difficult a conversation to have with Jeremy sitting on my knee.

“I hear you could be going home soon?” I smiled and Katie smiled right back.

“Yes, I can’t wait. I’m feeling so much better now. Doctor Kendal says I’m in remiss… remiss…”

“Remission.”

“That’s right!” she shouted, causing us all to giggle.

“How have you been, Jeremy? I hear you have people staying over at your place?”

Jeremy smiled. “I have Dean, Big Uncle Jimmy, and Auntie Tara staying over. It’s been fun. Dean and Jimmy keep throwing me in the pool. I like it when they throw me in the pool.”

Well, Tara had now been upgraded. I knew it wouldn’t take long.

“That’s sounds cool. I would love to get thrown around in a pool.”

I placed my hand on hers. “Well, when you get better, you’re more than welcome to come over and splash about in our pool as much as you like. Isn’t she, Jeremy?”

Jeremy beamed and nodded.

“That sounds awesome. Thank you.”

Her big smile warmed my heart. “You’re very welcome, Katie.”







We left the hospital and took a trip to the mall. Jeremy was running out of new shoes and clothes. It seemed like he went through a pair of trainers a week. He would always get them scuffed within the first hour of wearing them, and I never knew how the hell he did it. He was growing fast, too. It seemed like the summer sun made him shoot up. He was going to be tall, just like his dad, which made me smile. Unfortunately, the store didn’t have Jeremy’s shoe size in stock. The gentleman there told me they would be getting another shipment in the next day. It looked like another trip to the mall in the morning.

“Can we go get some ice cream, Mommy?”

We had just come out of a clothing store after spending close to a hundred dollars in new outfits for Jeremy. He had been good the whole time we were there, so I guessed an ice cream should be his reward.

“Yes,” I smiled. “Why not.”

“Yay!” he beamed, taking my hand and practically dragging me to the escalators. Once we reached the first floor, we walked towards the ice cream parlor and ordered chocolate ice cream for Jeremy and frozen yogurt for me. We paid for them, then found a table to sit at. I dumped all the bags and sighed in relief. I enjoyed shopping like any other living, breathing female, but it did tire me.

Jeremy scooped a huge dollop of ice cream into his mouth and got chocolate all around his lips. I laughed, pulled some tissues out, and wiped his mouth off.

I shook my head. “I don’t know why I’m doing that! You’ll only get chocolate around your mouth again on the next scoop.” We both laughed and it was then that I looked up and noticed a man at the next table smiling at us. Well, more like a boy as it looked like he wasn’t out of diapers that long ago. He must have only been twenty-one at the most, but he looked very smart with his grey suit and tie. His presence screamed money, and his perfectly-styled blonde hair screamed it even more so.

I nervously smiled back and averted my eyes. I saw him move out of the corner of my eye and looked back at him. His smile was even wider now.

“Forgive my staring. It’s just nice to see such a loving mother and son moment.”

I noticed his English accent and laughed. “Well, suck it in because you don’t get to see many of them.”

The guy laughed and leaned forward. “My name’s Charlie.”

I smiled. “Tyler.” I saw him look at Jeremy. “And this is Jeremy.”

“How are you doing, Jeremy? Enjoying your ice cream?”

Jeremy nodded and I laughed. “He’s eating. You won’t get much conversation whilst he eats ice cream. He loves the stuff.”

Charlie winked at Jeremy. “I do, too. It’s one of my weaknesses. I’ve just finished three scoops of Chunky Monkey myself.”

I smiled, averted my eyes, and looked at Jeremy.

“So, whereabouts in England are you from? I can immediately tell that we’re both not from around here.”

I looked across at him again and smiled. “No. I moved here a few years back. I’m originally from London.”