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Lance’s day was pleasantly lazy. Knowing he would have a few days to get his life organized before he was forced to maintain regular job hours, he did some errands and ended up at Jenna’s house for lunch. It wasn’t his intention to do so. After the intense discussion the night before, he wanted to take a break and give her some time for reflection—his heart desired something else.
He stood in front of her door, unsure if he wanted to ring the bell.
Jayden opened it. He held a basketball in his hand. Obviously, he was going out. His expression seemed unfathomable as he stepped aside to let him in.
“Good afternoon,” Lance said. “How was your first day of vacation?”
“Okay.” Jayden shrugged. “I was just going out with my friends to do some practice.” As if on cue, two kids turned up. “Mom, I’m going to Jason’s house to practice.”
She came out of the kitchen, wearing an apron. No one ever looked as good in a pair of old, faded jeans and a plain, crimson-red t-shirt. Tendrils of her hair sneaked out of the bun and licked her skin.
Her beauty took his breath away.
“Bye, darling. Be home at four o’clock.”
Jayden strode out after casting one last look at Lance.
Her gaze shifted to him. “Hi. When did you get here?”
“Jayden opened the door.”
“Let me just make sure they’re walking to Jason’s house.” She marched to the gate and watched her son until he stepped into another house. A minute later, she came back in. “Sorry about that. It’s right at the end of this street but one can’t be too careful.”
Lance closed the door. An awkwardness seemed to stand between them after the phone call. Well, he did give her lots to think about. Although he was willing to be patient, he didn’t know why she was bent on stretching this out. Couldn’t she see how much he loved her? What did he have to do to make her realize he would be here for the long haul, even for life, if she let him in? He wouldn’t go away tomorrow or a month, a year from now. His happiness was entwined with hers...too bad she couldn’t figure it out on her own.
It hurt him to think that she wasn’t able to judge him accurately. Then again, she was trying to protect herself and her son. He was willing to give her all the time she needed. Other than that, he didn’t have an option. He loved her and wanted her and Jayden in his life. Sooner or later, he would be able to convince her that his feelings were genuine. “Is it a bad time?”
Her smile looked friendly. “No, actually, I’m glad you came. Jayden announced his plans only a while ago and then wolfed down a sandwich, so I’m alone for lunch. If you’re free...maybe we could have it together.”
Pleasantly surprised, he nodded. Maybe this was a peace offering? He would take whatever she gave out. “Sure, thanks.” He took a seat while she fiddled with pots and pans in the kitchen...such a normal scene. If anyone looked in from the window, they would see a couple and probably assume they were married. The reality might be far from it, but he sure hoped to win her over soon for a lifetime of happiness together. Patience was a virtue he greatly admired and it would be in his best interest to practice it.
A while later, she sat across the table from him.
Much to Lance’s delight, the conversation was smooth and pleasant. It flew easily, flitting from topic to topic. He’d expected some stiffness or reservation in her demeanor, but she was chatty and amusing. Feeling relaxed, he ended up staying longer than he planned. Around three thirty, he stood to leave. “I should go home and check on Lisa. She left before I woke up and I still haven’t seen her.”
She stood. “I’ll walk you out.”
He opened the door, cast a glance back at her and then muttered an oath with his frustration. Lance pulled her into his arms and kissed her. The kiss was soft and slow, despite the desire careening through his system like a hot ball of fire. Her body became pliant against his, her skin under the pads of his fingers felt smooth and creamy. He wanted to take her upstairs and make wild, passionate love to her, savor the delights of her body. Reluctantly, he stepped away.
Jayden might come back any time and it was important to be careful.
“See you,” she said in a breathless voice.
He took solace in the knowledge that the kiss seemed to affect her the same way it did him.
Lance drove home. His mood was buoyant. With Jenna, he always felt light and free as if he were a leaf floating on wind. Maybe it was time to talk to Lisa again. If they didn’t manage to sort out their issues before the baby was born, they would be stuck in this loveless marriage for a long time. She wouldn’t be able to get her life back together when she had the baby in her arms. He needed to nudge her along, but she wasn’t willing yet.
He unlocked the door and pushed it open. The house seemed quiet. His heart pounded against his chest. “Lisa,” he called.
She didn’t answer.
His unease grew. Her car was out in the garage with no sign of her in the house. Where did she go? Lance checked the kitchen, the living room and the guest room where he slept. She wasn’t anywhere. “Lisa!”
No reply.
He ran upstairs to check the master bedroom. Much to his relief, she was in the room, taking out stuff from her closets. Two bags sat on the bed.
“I was worried—I....” He shook his head. “What’s going on?”
Her eyes were red and dark circles lined them. “I’m going to my parents’ house.”
“For how long?”
Her smile was wary, quiet. “Only you would respond like that. If it was another man, he would’ve said good riddance.”
“What are you talking about?”
She gestured towards the papers sitting on the dressing table. “I’ve signed the divorce papers. You can start the proceedings. I won’t contest.”
“You what...?” Walking over, he picked up the papers with hands that trembled. Sure enough, her signature was there. “Lisa—I don’t know what to say.”
“Then don’t say anything.” She put a few items in the bag. “Maybe I should talk some. I’m sorry I gave you such a hard time. It was unforgivably selfish of me. I didn’t want to do this alone, but this child isn’t your responsibility and never was. I’m the one who conceived her and I need to figure out a way to raise her.” She took a few deep breaths as if she was steadying her thoughts and then took out some more clothes from the closet. “I talked to my parents last night.”
He sat on the bed and mentally braced himself for the news to come. “What did they say?”
She dumped the clothes into the bag, took out her purses and lined them neatly in the bag. “They were disappointed, but they’re my parents. And you know how they always indulge me. So, they’ve told me to come and stay with them until the baby is born and probably for another few months until I get things sorted out. I’m going to get a job and raise this child and hopefully, make her a stronger woman than I ever was.”
He couldn’t bear to see her in such distress. It was unlike her to look so defeated. “You’re strong, Lisa.” He marched over to hug her. Just like that, his marriage was over. Even though he wanted it and felt like he’d been mentally prepared for it, Lance hated to say goodbye. She’d been an important part of his life for a long time. Eight years of marriage and of course, the two years they’d dated. He didn’t have anything but good wishes for her. “And incredibly beautiful and sweet.”
She hugged him back. “No, I’m not. You’re all that and more. So stupid of me not to realize it until I lost you. But I have this baby now, and I’m going to do the right thing for her. You’ve been amazing, Lance. I wish you all the best. Jenna is a lovely woman and I know you’ll both be happy.”
That reminded him of what she’d done earlier. “I didn’t get a chance to thank you for sending that message to Jenna. It was kind of you.”
“It was the least I could do.” She moved out of his embrace. “Can you help me take these bags down to the car?”
“Sure.” He’d never felt so terrible. This was more her home than his. For him, anywhere he could be close to Jenna would be good enough. “If you want, Lisa, I would be happy to move out and you can live in this house.”
“No, you bought it and I want you to have it. I don’t need money, Lance. Never did. What I needed was a wakeup call—which I’ve gotten. I’ll be all right, don’t worry about me.”
Knowing that he didn’t have anything else to say, he picked up the packed bag and carried it down. Lance had to make two more trips before all her stuff was loaded into the car. “I could drive you to your parents’.”
“No. They offered to pick me up, but starting right now, I’m determined to be more independent. When the baby is born, I want her to come home with a mother who’s not running to other people to solve her problems. Moving in with my parents will give me enough breathing space to figure out the rest of it.” Her voice sounded determined.
“And you’ll do a fine job.” He raised her hand and kissed it. “It was a delight to share my life with you for so many years. I wish I’d been around more often. Perhaps we would’ve been together if that was so.”
“Sweet Lance.” She put a hand on his cheek. “You’re always a gentleman. Good bye.” She reached up on tiptoes and kissed his cheek. Tears flooded her eyes and she swiped them away with the back of her wrist.
“Bye, Lisa.” He waved as she took a seat, closed the door and drove the car out. His cell phone rang and he picked it up. He grinned when he saw Jenna’s name pop up on the screen. It was perhaps a sign. “Hey, Jenna! Guess what news I have?”
“Jay—Jayden’s missing.” Jenna sobbed.
It took him a few seconds to comprehend her words. Then the bottom dropped out from under him. “What? Missing? How?”
“He didn’t come home at four like I told him to, so I called Jason’s mom. She said he left two hours ago—ten minutes after he came in, because he said he wasn’t feeling well. She watched him walk towards the house and he entered the gate. She then went back inside. But he never came in. He never came in!” she shrieked.
“Jenna, stay put, I’m coming right over.”
“Wha—What should I do, Lance? I—”
“Call all the moms in your neighborhood whose kids he plays with. Maybe he went to someone else’s house. I’ll be over at your place in a few.” Lance rushed to his car and drove to her house. When he got out, the main door stood wide open and she was pacing the floor while she talked on the phone. He listened to the conversation, knowing she hadn’t found Jayden. At least, she seemed more composed than she’d sounded a while ago.
“Thanks, Angie. Yeah, I’ll let you know. Bye.” She shook her head as she clicked off. “He’s not there.” She began to pace the room. “Where’s my baby? Where could he have gone?”
Lance went over to hug her. “Let’s call the police.”
“Yeah, we should.” Tears escaped her eyes. “I’ve called all his friends, even those who live far away. He’s nowhere. Why would he go away? Maybe—he saw us together in the house, when we were kissing and he didn’t like it?”
Even though Jayden was having trouble adjusting to the idea of having a man in his mother’s life, Lance felt sure that the boy wouldn’t run away for that reason. He loved his mother and would never do anything to hurt her intentionally. “Let’s just go talk to the police and see what they say.”
She stood rooted to the spot.
This was the first time he saw her look so lost.
“I shouldn’t have invited you for lunch. Maybe if I didn’t push him so hard to accept you—”
“Let’s just go, Jenna. Leave a note at the door for him in case he comes back.” Talking to her right now would be futile. She was lost in misery and there was no way he could set it right until she found her son.
“Yeah, yeah...” She searched around, as if she wasn’t sure where she could find any paper. Finally, she took a notebook out of her purse and began to write.
“Did he say anything or ask something that struck you as odd? Maybe last night or in the last few days?” Children didn’t just decide to walk away from their homes without a plan. Jayden didn’t have clothes or a bag when he stepped out of the house.
“Nothing, he didn’t say anything. We talked about you and he seemed—not happy but okay. I thought he would come around.”
“What else did you guys talk about?”
“Not much. Not much.” She swiped away the tears as she signed the note. “He asked me the name of the bank where I sent an application for the loan.” Jenna shrugged her shoulders. “Oh! And he talked about his friends during dinner.”
“Wait a minute.” He raised a hand and took the note from her. “He asked you about the bank? Why?”
“He was just curious.”
Lance remembered the survey that Jayden was computing. Was it possible that he’d gone to the bank to talk to them? “Maybe he is at the bank,” he told Jenna as he stuck the note on the door with the tape she gave him.
“He would never do something like that. And he doesn’t even know where it is.”
Lance wasn’t so sure. Jayden seemed like a determined kid. If he wanted to find his way to the bank, it wouldn’t take him long to figure out where it was and how to get there. “Why don’t you go to the police station and I’ll head over to the bank. If he isn’t there, I’ll join you at the station.”
“But—”
“Let’s not waste time,” He nudged her through the door. If Jayden were alone out on the streets, he would be vulnerable. Anything could happen to a kid this age and Lance didn’t want to take a risk. His priority was clear; find Jayden and get him home. “You go on and I’ll meet you.”
Together, they left the house. Lance watched as she drove off. He jogged towards his car, climbed in, switched on the ignition and headed towards the bank. If Jayden wasn’t there, he didn’t know what he would do. Jayden was Jenna’s life. Without him, she would be a mess and Lance couldn’t afford to let that happen.