When I was finally getting ready to move in with the man I love, I started packing up my belongings. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and everything changed. My ex-husband, Tom, the man who had left me many years ago, was the person in question. I had not yet totally healed my wounds, which were still fresh. In an instant, Tom presented me with an offer that completely flipped my world upside down.
During that moment, I found myself standing in the midst of my living room, surrounded by cardboard boxes, each one representing a different aspect of the life that I was leaving behind. During the time that I was folding the rest of my clothes, my thoughts began to drift to the new chapter that I was about to begin with Eric.
He wasn’t perfect, but he was stable, a man who had managed to put the pieces of my heart that had been torn apart back together again. Eric’s calm fortitude and his steadfast support gradually filled the empty gaps that my ex-husband, Tom, had left behind. Tom had left behind a lot of empty spaces.
Suddenly, I was jerked out of my thoughts by the knock on the door. The tone was resolute, demanding, and strangely reminiscent. Feeling a peculiar unease grow into my chest, I wiped my hands on my jeans and continued to rub them.
At this hour, who could it possibly be?
There was no one I was anticipating.
My heart was beating a little bit quicker than it normally does as I made my way to the entrance. I could feel the world tilting ever-so-slightly on its axis as soon as I opened it.
He was standing on my porch, looking like a ghost from a past that I had worked so hard to leave behind. I had tried so hard to leave that existence behind. The messier his hair was than I recalled it being, the creases that had appeared on his face were ones that had never been there before, and his eyes…
I couldn’t quite put my finger on the reason for the sadness that was visible in those eyes.
His voice was scratchy and almost cracked as he began to speak. “Linda,” he said. Could I please come in?
My hand became more firmly gripped on the doorknob as I hesitated. The man who had torn my heart out and stomped on it without giving it a second thought was the one who had done it. On the other hand, here he was, requesting something.
For precisely what reason?
I gave him permission to enter the area that I had almost finished packing away by nodding and moving aside, despite the fact that I should have known better.
Tom made his way in slowly, gazing about as if he were looking for memories, his attention seemed to linger on the boxes that were just partially packed.
Although the answer was self-evident, he inquired, “Are you moving?”
No, I will be moving in with my partner. Dear Tom, what is it that you desire from me?
It appeared as though the mention of another man was like a punch coming to him. A little wince appeared on his face, but he quickly covered it up with a feeble smile.
“Oh, that’s… that’s fantastic. I’m happy to hear that you’ve found it.
A period of awkward silence ensued for a brief period of time. It continued on for a long time, bringing a level of intensity into the room that had been lacking for many years.
Linda, I am… If I didn’t have a reason to be here, I wouldn’t be here. I am aware that I do not have the authority to request anything from you in light of what I have done, but… I require your assistance.
He gazed at me with a desperation that can only be exhibited by someone who is completely hopeless.
When I left you for another woman, she has disappeared. A fortnight ago, she passed away.
Embarrassed, he averted his gaze.
As for me, I am now a mother to a girl. It’s Ava. My name is Linda, and she is a young girl, and I am the only thing she has. But I can’t pull it off by myself. I was under the impression that I could, but I am unable to. I can’t function without you.”
At this moment, the individual who had broken me was standing in front of me, pleading for assistance—for the sake of his daughter. I did not fail to recognize the irony.
Because of me, Tom? My voice was hardly audible above a whisper when I inquired. “What am I doing here?”
“Because I am familiar with you, Linda. You are courageous enough to do this. There is no one else that I am aware of who does.”
I was able to sense the ground beneath me shifting, and the life that I had painstakingly crafted began to shake under the pressure of his words. Everything in me wanted to slam the door in his face and tell him to find someone else. I wanted to tell him to find me.
However, there was a faint voice within me, a whisper of the woman I used to be. This was the woman who had once loved Tom with all her heart, the one who had longed for a family. It was that whisper that caused me to hesitate.
The seriousness of the decision that was in front of me was brought home to me as I looked at him, at the broken man that he had become. to long last, I had arrived to a state of tranquility; nevertheless, with just a single knock, Tom had returned the pandemonium back into my life.
To be more specific, it wasn’t just about me this time. The situation involves a child who had no right to be subjected to any of this.
I had a long-standing desire to have a kid, but Eric was unable to provide me with that child.
“Tom, I’m not sure if I’ll be able to pull this off. Nevertheless, I’ll give it some thought.
It is my pleasure, Linda. That is the only thing I may ask for.
I knew that nothing in my life would ever be the same again as I watched him leave, the door clicking softly behind him. I knew that nothing would ever be the same again.
****
So I made the decision to talk to Tom. I was aware, on some level, that the past would not allow me to leave so lightly. It turned out to be a shadow that refused to disappear.
There was a lack of noise in the café. I had selected a table that was close to the window. As I waited, my hands were fidgeting with the napkin that was sitting on the table.
As soon as the door was opened and Tom entered, I experienced a little bit of anxiety. And then I came across her.
While clutching to Tom’s hand, it was Ava, who had her eyes wide and innocent and her frame was very small. I was the focus of her gaze.
What’s up, Linda? Ava was led to the seat opposite me by Tom, who then sat down himself after guiding her there.
I whispered, “Hello, Ava,” as I met her. “What an absolutely stunning dress you have on. It appears that you are a fairy.
Despite her timidity, she offered me a small wave with her fingers curled.
When Tom started talking about the challenges he experienced in raising Ava by himself, I found it impossible to concentrate on what he was saying. My gaze kept meandering to Ava, who was calmly playing with a toy that was on the smaller side.
In addition to the fact that she seemed so charming and innocent, there was something about her that pulled at the most profound aspects of my heart.
I hadn’t experienced being a mother in many years, yet the idea of becoming a mother sparked something deep within me. On the contrary, it was a yearning that had never really vanished.
“This may be a second opportunity for us, Linda,” she said. a means of reestablishing what has been gone.”
Ava was placed in my arms by Tom before I had the chance to respond. At the instant when she positioned herself against me, I experienced a connection, a warmth that swept through me like a wave.
As I glanced down at Ava, whose face was so small and so trusting, I felt tears prickling at the corners of my eyes.
At long last, I hushed Tom and said, “I… I need time.” In order to find things out, I need some time.
In the end, I called Eric.
“I just need some time, Eric,” I murmured, unable to keep the tears from falling out of my eyes. “I have to figure out what we are doing.”
Upon hanging up the phone, I came to the realization that nothing was straightforward anymore.
****
A whirlwind of events transpired in the days that followed our encounter at the café. In an effort to determine whether or not I could really contemplate Tom’s proposition, I spent an increasing amount of time with Ava. She was a really kind and kind child.
Every moment that I was able to spend with her, whether it was playing games at the park or baking cookies in Tom’s kitchen, made my heart feel a tugging sensation.
Is it possible that this could actually work? Do you think I could be the mother she needs?
She glanced up at me with those huge, innocent eyes one afternoon as we were drawing together. Ava and I were working on our drawings together.
Is it possible that you will become my new mother?
When I heard the question, I was taken aback.
“I’m not sure just yet, my sweetheart. The only thing we are doing right now is spending time together.
With all sincerity, she expressed, “I enjoy being with you.”
My chest hurt as a result of her comments.
Even I enjoy being in your company.
I had that thinking, but I refrained from uttering it aloud. I simply smiled at her and offered her a fresh crayon instead of doing anything else.
Nevertheless, in spite of these brief moments of familiarity, there was something that continued to nag at me. It was impossible for me to agree to this arrangement because Tom was so eager and so anxious.
On a particular occasion, I was unable to shake the feeling that something was not quite right. It was eerily silent inside the house after Tom had left to run some errands as he had gone out.
While Ava was dozing off on the couch, I was left to my own devices to think about things.
What exactly is he lying to me about? I don’t understand why he is being so persistent with this.
My thoughts were filled with a whirlwind of questions that would not let me rest. By the time I realized what was happening, I was standing outside the door of Tom’s office.
My hand was resting on the doorknob as I pondered the situation.
“What exactly am I doing.” For a moment, I hushed myself.
I was in search of answers. What was it that my eyes were looking for as they surveyed the room? Not even I was aware of it.
After that, I saw that one of the drawers of his desk was slightly ajar. Without putting any thought into it, I opened it.
All of a sudden, there it was, in black and white: an inheritance that was connected to Ava’s guardianship and that could only be completely guaranteed if Tom had a family!
There is no intention of providing Ava with a mother. Money is the issue here!
When Tom arrived home at a later time, I was waiting for him in the living room. What he had been concealing was plainly visible on the coffee table, where the documents were laid out in a disorganized manner.
My voice yelled out, “Tom,” as he entered the room. Is this something? “Had you ever planned on telling me the truth all along?”
His complexion became drab.
“It’s not what you think, Linda,” my friend said.
“Are you aware of what I believe?” My voice became louder as I interrupted him.
According to Tom, these papers say it all. Are you sure that you were using me to ensure that Ava would receive her inheritance?
Although he opened his mouth to speak, he was unable to produce any words. His eyes, which were filled with a look of remorse, were all the explanation I required.
There was complete silence in the room. My eyes began to brim up with tears, but I couldn’t bring myself to let them fall. There was no way I could stay there.
As soon as I retrieved my phone, I phoned Eric’s number, but the call was immediately transferred to my voicemail. Panic began to set in at that moment.
Could it be that I’ve also lost him? Imagine that everything has been ruined because of this issue with Tom.
While I was standing there with the phone clamped to my ear, I came to the realization that Eric was extremely important to me. During our time together, he was the one who restored my faith in love.
“Eric, I would appreciate it if you could call me back,” I hushed into the phone. “I need to chat with you,” she said. Sorry, I’m so sorry.
During the time that we were talking, one thing became quite clear: I needed to fight for what was genuinely important, and that was Eric.
****
While the taxi was speeding across the city, the memories of saying goodbye to Ava kept playing over and over in my head. Her teeny-tiny hand was firmly grasping her frock, and her bewildered eyes were roaming over mine.
At the same time that I was holding back tears, I hushed, “I have to go, sweetie.”
“However, keep in mind that you will always hold a special place in my heart.”
My heart felt like it was being torn in two as I left her, yet staying could pull me back into the darkness that I had worked so hard to escape.
In a state of panic, I sent Eric dozens of SMS while the cab was speeding through the streets that were wet with rain.
I will be there. I truly apologize. Oh, I was such an idiot. Permit me to elaborate, please.
I eventually caught a glimpse of him as the taxi finally turned the corner to his street.
Despite the pouring rain, Eric was waiting there with a bouquet of white roses in his hand. These roses were the kind that I adored.
Despite the fact that he was completely drenched, he continued to wait as he had done in the past.
