Making a promise
“Noah, are you done with your homework?” I call, but I don’t get an answer.
It was Friday afternoon and I was dead tired on my feet. I had forgotten when you’re pregnant how
easily you get tired. Every single thing tired me out.
The only thing I’m grateful for is that I never experienced morning sickness unlike when I was
pregnant with Noah. 1
“Noah?” I call him again.
I wonder what the hell he is doing. I usually get an answer immediately. Unless something has
caught his attention and distracted him.
Before I can carry my tired body to go upstairs to check on him, my doorbell rings.
I release a heavy sigh. It’s not that I didn’t want to see anybody, I just wanted to take a break.
Maybe have a long bath.
I spent the whole day at the Hope Foundation going through tons of documents that needed my
attention. My eyes were dry, My mind was burnt out and my body was aching all over.
Dragging myself, I open my door and I am surprised to find Calvin and Gunner at my doorstep. It’s
been two days since that day in my backyard.
When Gunner didn’t show up when Noah got back from school, I assumed that maybe Calvin
didn’t want anything to do with us. After all, he was really grumpy during our whole encounter.
“Hi” shock was clearly in my voice and I couldn’t hide it.
“Hi Miss Ava” Gunner tells me sweetly with a smile. “These are for you”
It’s then that I notice he has a bouquet of flowers. Pink roses to be exact. He hands them to me and
I take them gratefully.
“Thank you Gunner. These are beautiful” Without thinking, I bend down and kiss his cheeks.
When I straighten, he gives me a shy smile. Just like with Noah, I could already tell that Gunner
was a sweet boy.
I shift my eyes to his father, “Would you like to come in?”
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He looks hesitant at first, but when Gunner pulls his hand, he agrees.
I lead them straight to the kitchen where I had been baking cookies and cupcakes. Noah had
requested for them and though I was tired, I couldn’t refuse him.
“You’re just in time to eat some goodness” I tell them as the oven timer pings.
I look for a vase and place the beautiful flowers Gunner brought me.
I call again as I place some cookies in
mommy” he
footsteps as he runs down the hallway and then the
breaks through the kitchen door. He comes
visitors.
NCH TH
love. I want you to meet someone” he hesitantly takes a step
me.
W
at first glance. That is before you get to know him better. When he
that he’s the same boy.
and Gunner, this is
telling you about”
being honest, I thought things will be awkward between them at first, but I
Gunner smiles “Hi”
my room?” Noah asks
“Sure”
and hands them to Gunner. Then he goes to the
couple
new game to show you” Noah says as they
super surprised by his actions. I thought it would take
Gunner. I guess I
well. I’m surprised Gunner made the first move. He’s usually
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face him. I had completely forgotten that he
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like that too at first. He has to get comfortable with someone
that Gunner is reserved I mean, he likes his own company. He doesn’t like making friends or meeting new people. Even
himself”
“Seriously?” I ask shocked.
point I think Rex and I are his
I was a teacher. Even I knew that that wasn’t typical behaviour for a child
withdraw, then there is probably a problem. I know it
at them to
Gunner is as withdrawn as Cal says, then something’s made
that way.
of his shell” I mumble, handing him a
barstools, I exhale in
of the cupcake.
wanted to apologize” Calvin
“For what?”
off as rude the other
dismissively, I face him. “In your defence, I was being
about it”
that day reminds me of the pain I saw in
to hide
he is not. I recognize the struggle
through
the
315
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what do you do for a living?”
I’m on leave
thought about going back, but I decided against it. Even
I needed this time to myself. Not only
my mental state. O
together with Rowan? Noah is his
in this damn city knows
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