Chapter 43
43
Days passed without a word from Jonathan
After his mention of a blind date Teresa found herself thinking about him particularly when she entered her new lock code each evening a reminder of the night he d stumbled into her home completely intoxicated
Miriam sent her a puzzled text one day Teresa the code isn t opening the door Have you changed it I thought it was all sixes
With a chuckle Teresa typed back Yeah It s Mike s birthday now
Miriam s reply came quickly Oh really Everything okay No break in s or anything
Teresa thought for a moment avoiding mentioning Jonathan s involvement
As she set her phone aside, Teresa sighed, her thoughts drifting to Jonathan’s date. She guessed it was with Simona, but she shook her head, reminding herself it wasn’t her place to wonder.
Thankfully there was good news to focus on Teresa s online store was booming She d already paid back the 30 000 Miriam had invested in and now she was reaping the benefits
One weekend, Teresa took Michael to the cemetery to pay respects to his great–grandparents.
As they stood by the graves Michael looked up at Teresa Mommy are my great grandparents resting beneath the ground
Teresa nodded smoothing his hair Yes sweetheart they re resting peacefully down there
Curiosity
filled Michael s eyes as he pressed on Do they have blankets Will they be cold in winter What about snakes
Teresa smiled her voice gentle and reassuring They re safe from the cold and d if there are snakes your great grandpa would keep your great grandma safe because he loved her so much
Michael tilted his head his brow furrowing slightly Mommy does love mean you protect someone He was a bundle of questions but Teresa was never tired of them She always took the time to answer
Yes she said hugging him close Love means doing everything you can to keep your beloved one safe
Michael seemed to grasp the meaning nodding in understanding
As they headed back home Teresa s gaze landed on a face from her past
Teresa Truman Garcia a man with a kind look and wearing a crisp white shirt greeted her warmly It had been ages since their paths last crossed
Michael, clinging to her leg looked up at Truman with curiosity. “Mommy, who’s he?” he asked.
Teresa looked down at her child and said This is Truman Garcia a friend of Mommy s She gently prompted Wave hello to him Michael waved and said Hi Mr Garcia
Truman s smile grew as he started to ask Is this your son with
But Teresa didn t let him finish He s my son she said cutting him off and avoiding the mention of the boy s father
Truman with a warm grin asked Hey it s been ages How are you holding up
Teresa managed a small smile sensing the deeper meaning in his question A lot had happened since they d last talked her marriage the rough patches with Yvonne and Irene and the tough loss of her grandparents
She maintained her emotional turmoil to herself not wishing to burden Jonathan despite their marriage
She had discreetly sought therapy fighting depression without using it as a tool to keep Jonathan close as Yvonne had done Truman her physician was privy to her unspoken struggles
Pretending to glance at her watch Teresa said I ve got to take my son for some errands but let s plan on having lunch or something
soon.
1/2
12:39 PM
13
up for it he offered
Truman nodded his eyes following her as she got ready to leave Just give me a call when you re up
Mommy Michael gazed up at Teresa curiosity sparkling in his eyes That tall thin man is nice right Can he be my dad
Teresa chuckled at her son s straight forwardness Patting his head she replied We ll discuss it later kiddo
2/2