Chapter 317

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Jonathan texted back : [ You at a sports day ? ) The playground was visible in Benny’s photo .
Benny : [ At some preschool . So that is your signature , right ? ] Then he grabbed a better , full – body shot of Michael and sent it so Jonathan could get a proper look .
Benny : [ Do you recognize this little guy ? Your signature is literally on his shirt , and honestly , he looks kind of like you.j
Jonathan quickly replied : [ Teresa asked for that signature . You in Everport ? ]
Jonathan remembered Teresa mentioning that her colleague’s son was a huge fan and was dying for his autograph . ‘ Could that be Mike ? ” he wondered.
Benny was floored and sent a voice message : [ Wait , you knew Teresa was here ? Damn , I thought you had no idea . I was just debating whether to tell you she was here . ]
Jonathan replied : [ You ran into her ? ]
Benny didn’t hold back and replied honestly : [ Yeah , she’s at this exact preschool . Talk about small world , huh ? ]
Jonathan went quiet for a few beats , then texted back : [ Is she by herself ? What’s she doing there ? ]
Benny replied : [ She said she came with a friend . Sherry , I think . I even asked if she was seeing someone new , but she didn’t say . Anyway , she’s alone right now . ]
Jonathan took another few seconds before replying : [ Send me the location . I’ll come over when I’m done here . ]
Benny texted Jonathan the location of Acorn Preschool , then glanced over at Teresa , feeling a bit guilty .
The sports day was over . Michael had snagged two gold medals , one for the sprint and one for the relay . He looked so thrilled . Just as he was about to dash over to Teresa to show off the medals , a man called his name .
Michael spun around to see Benny heading his way . “ Oh , hello , Bunny . ”
Benny grinned and bent down to give his hair a friendly ruffle . “ Well , look at you . You still remember me . That makes my day . ”
Michael chuckled . “ Bunny , what are you doing here ? ”
“ I came just to watch you race . I was up in the stands , you know . You’re such a fast runner . Amazing ,” Benny said , giving him a big thumbs – up .
Michael’s grin got even bigger . “ Did you come by yourself , Bunny ? How’d you get here ? Still don’t have a girlfriend ? ”
Benny played along , “ Nah , I just can’t seem to find one . If you know anyone good , you could set me up , you know . ”
Michael puffed out his little chest proudly . “ Leave it to me , Bunny . Check out the girls in my preschool . See if you like any of them .”
Benny burst out laughing and waved him off . “ Nah , I’m way too old for your friends . But hey , let me ask you something , kiddo- ”
But before Benny could finish , Sherry called Michael over . Benny wanted to press Michael for an answer , but Michael was already running off to her . Just then , Teresa walked up behind Benny and gave his shoulder a tap .
“ You didn’t tell Jonathan I was here , did you ? ” Teresa asked .
“ Nope ,” Benny replied , looking her straight in the eye . He casually draped an arm over her shoulder . “ You told me not to , so how could I ? Chill , seriously . ”
Teresa couldn’t shake her worry . She decided it was best to leave now , especially with Michael here .
Benny stepped in front of her . “ Where are you going ? Let me give you a ride . Or we could grab something to eat . My treat . We could even call Miriam ,
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she’s not far from here , you know . ”
Teresa sighed . “ Thanks , but no , thanks . ”
Benny looked a little worried . “ You’re not , like , being held hostage in Everport or something , are you ? Don’t freak me out . Miriam told me you’re doing fine . I didn’t even know you were in Everport . I told Jonathan I thought you might be abroad .
“ Jonathan said you’re probably hiding out in a city near Nareigh . He still gets you , huh ? Nareigh’s great . Why not go back ? Is it because of your sister ? ”
“ You know about my sister ? ” Teresa asked , surprised .
“ Miriam told me all about it , ” Benny admitted . “ She said you’re staying away from Nareigh because you’re trying to avold her . ”
Teresa stayed quiet for a beat , then said , “ I’m doing great , honestly . I can just pick up and go wherever I want . It’s not like I’m gonna stay in Everport forever . I’ll be moving on soon enough . ”
Michael was Teresa’s real worry . With Benny still suspicious about who Michael really was , she couldn’t risk hanging around . She didn’t dare gamble of what might happen if Benny figured out Michael’s identity .
“ My friend’s waiting . I gotta go , ” Teresa said .
Benny wanted to stop her but knew he couldn’t . He just said , “ I’ll go get the car-
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Teresa was already striding out of the preschool gates . Sherry had pulled up with the car , ready to take Teresa home .
Just as Teresa yanked the passenger door open , a black Rolls – Royce Phantom glided up across from the preschool . The crowd erupted in whispers and
gasps .
Once the car stopped , the driver opened the back door , and a man in a crisp designer suit stepped out . Teresa froze when she realized it was Jonathan . In that same instant , something shot past her like a bullet .
Michael had leaped out of Sherry’s car and was racing toward Jonathan . “ Mr. Lime , Mr. Lime ! ” he called out .
Jonathan caught that familiar voice and turned his head slightly . There was Michael , wearing the T – shirt with his signature , racing toward him .
“ Hey , Mike , it’s been a while , ” Jonathan said with a relaxed smile . He dropped to one knee , letting Michael crash into his arms before scooping him up .
“ Mr. Lime … ” Michael choked out between sobs , his tears quickly soaking Jonathan’s expensive suit shoulder .
Jonathan raised an eyebrow , confused . He gently ran his palm over Michael’s head , checking his face . “ Hey , what’s with the waterworks ? ”
“ I missed you so much , Mr. Lime , ” Michael clung to him like a koala , refusing to let go .
Jonathan felt a strange tug in his chest , a feeling he couldn’t quite name . He just patted Michael’s head again .
“ Mr. Lime , look . I won these at sports day . ” The tears were forgotten as quickly as they came . Michael was already eagerly showing off his gold medals .
Jonathan praised him . “ Nice work , champion . ”
“ Oh right , why are you here anyway , Mr. Lime ? ” asked Michael .
Jonathan said , “ I came all this way just to wish you a happy Children’s Day . ”
“ You’re the best , Mr. Lime . Happy Children’s Day to you too . ” The little guy held up his hand for a high – five , and Jonathan gave him one right back .
“ Mr. Lime , Mr. Lime . ” Michael seemed to have endless things to say . “ Look at my shirt . Mom said it’s got your autograph . Is this really yours ? ”
“ Yep ,” Jonathan said , “ that’s definitely mine . ”
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“ Mom wasn’t fibbing this time . I’m the luckiest kid ever .” Then Michael plopped his head back on Jonathan’s shoulder .
Jonathan heard footsteps behind him . He turned slightly to see Teresa striding toward them . Their eyes locked .