Antoine & Chloe
Even though I knew my son was okay, pulling up to the hospital knowing I was there for him was earth shattering. The knots in my stomach twisted continuously, forcing me to fight with nausea. The universe was not on my side today, because not only was Ashanti not out of town she picked up on the first ring. Her condo was closer to the hospital so I’m sure she was here already. Wouldn’t you know it, I walked past a brand new Bentley on the way inside, I knew had to belong to her. Shit.
Once inside I checked in with the front desk to get my visitors pass and Axel’s room number.
“Hello, I’m here for my son Axel Imere.”
“Oh, yes. You just missed mom, she already went up. He’s in room 730. And what is your name? For your pass.”
“Antoine Imere.”
“Great, wear that where they can see it, and have a nice visit.”
The elevator ride up to the seventh floor was peaceful. That was one break I was able to catch. Those few minutes of solitude gave me the time I needed to collect myself and get my thoughts together.
I tapped on the door and stepped in to not only find Axel and Ashanti, but her fiancé Ben as well. Damn.
“What’s up?” I offered to everyone and no one in particular. I made my way to my sons bedside having a seat so I could find out what the hell happened.
“Okay, see what had happened was.” He tried to diffuse the situation.
“Axe.” I pierced him with a do not play with me stare, straight out of my dad of the year playbook.
“Okay, Jaimie came over and asked if I wanted to practice football since tryouts are on Thursday. I only had one homework assignment so I figured I could just go out while it was still light outside, throw the ball around and still get my work done before you got home.”
“And how’d that work out for you?”
“Well not good obviously…”
“So how did you actually fall?”
“Jamie threw this mean pass, I jumped up to catch it, but my feet checked out on the way down and I lost my balance. I ended up falling and all of my weight went on my arm. Worse part is I didn’t even catch the ball. It slipped right through my arms.”
“Damn son. It’s a horrible lesson to learn, and I wish more than anything I could bare the burden for you, but this is what our saying is for. You tried to take a short cut, doing things out of order, and now your arm is broken and you cannot try out for football at all.”
He hung his head, I know he was hurting but these were his choices and he had to deal with the consequences.
Conveniently I had forgotten Ashanti and Ben were standing there until she cleared her throat.
“Can I talk to you outside please?”
Oh boy, here we go.
We stepped into the too bright hallway, between what I knew was coming, the bright light, and the strong smell of disinfectant I felt a headache bloom behind my eyes.
“We agreed that Axe needed to be raised by his father, and so I gave you full custody. We also said that you would be working more consistent kid friendly hours in order to make this work, which does not seem to have happened. Do I need to reconsider our agreement?”
I pinched the bridge of my nose in frustration, and to gain some relief from the pressure starting to build behind my eyes.
“Ashanti, I’m really not trying to fight with you on this. Axe has maybe an hour two at the most home alone. He’s fourteen for Christ sake. He’s not a baby. Let’s also be honest. Our marriage is over because you were not happy, and needed to see the world. Do you even have time to raise him? I’m not trying to be nasty, but you cannot come in here throwing around empty threats. I know you’re a good mother, you don’t have anything to prove to me. And despite this current situation Axe is perfectly fine. We’ve been working it out for two years now.
I was so busy making my point I hadn’t noticed how quiet she had gotten or the sad look on her face.
“What is it?”
“I’m pregnant. Ben doesn’t even know yet.”
“Well that’s irresponsible. Look honestly thats not my business. Pregnant or not Axe is my son and I will be raising him the end. Good luck with your situation though. I’ll send Ben out here to you.”
I turned to go back into my sons room, there’s no way I could process that now in a healthy manner. When I walked in Axe and Ben were in the middle of some awkward forced conversation thing. Axe looked like I saved his life when I stepped back in.
“Where’s mom?
“She said she’d see you later big guy she had something come up.”
Ben a pro Baseball player was not a total air head. He took the hint, silently walking out to leave. It was hard for me to be cordial when this man was able to make my wife happy, when I couldn’t. I knew it wasn’t his fault. Too bad shit rolls down hill. Axe didn’t care too much for him either just off the strength he wanted things to be how they were.
“How long do I have to be here?”
“Probably until tomorrow, they have to get a doctor to set and cast your arm. Since you waited to pull this stunt on Fourth of July weekend pickings are slim.”
He puffed in frustration, and I could feel his pain. He had been looking forward to tryouts all year. After not making the team last year, he had practiced every chance he got. And now we’re here. I Felt his pain. I know he wanted to cry. Hell the disappointment on his face made my chest hurt. I wanted to cry. I decided to give him a moment alone to let it out.
“Hey, I’m going to go talk to the nurse to see if I can bring you in some food, because I know you don’t want to eat what they are about to serve you. What do you want?”
“Fish tacos extra sauce from Reel Catch.”
“Alright youngin keep your head up ok. I love you.”
“Okay, love you too,” he muttered.
I walked up to the nurses station, there was only one nurse there and when she looked up at me I was taken aback. I forgot what I even came up here for. She was beautiful. My eyes roamed. Taking in those beautiful brown eyes. Down to that cute button nose. Then those soft full pink pouty lips. As if the perfect alignment of her features wasn’t enough Her face was perfectly framed by huge bouncy curls. All wrapped in skin the color of the smoothest milk chocolate. And body. She wasn’t lacking in either department. I had to stop myself from biting my fist looking at her.
“Can I help you”
She finally asked when it was obvious I couldn’t use my words in this moment.
“Ughh yeah, I’m here with my son Axel Imere, I just wanted to make sure there are no dietary restrictions before I go get him food.”
“Let me check his chart to be sure, but I think he is good.”
Lord why did she have to turn around and give me a better view? I’m not staring. No. Nope. I refuse to be one of those creeps.
“Yes, you are good. Axel and I had a time before you and his mother got here. I have a fifteen year old, so I know how it is. I’m Chloe Baker by the way, I was the one to call you.”
Her melodic voice, her sweet fruity scent, all of it was causing serious brain fog.
“I thought your voice sounded familiar.” I offered my hand, nice to meet you officially.”
She took my hand, “nice to meet you as well.”
She smiled at me. The most perfect smile I have ever seen. In that moment all I could think about was keeping it there. Forever. Where the hell did that come from?