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?”
1/5
+15 BONUS
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.
place some
coming mommy” he
close. Then his footsteps as he runs down the
kitchen door. He comes
visitors.
NCH TH
someone” he hesitantly takes a step until he’s standing next
me.
W
before you get to know him better. When he sheds
believe that he’s the same boy. He’ll talk your
door and Gunner, this is my son Noah.
telling you about”
I’m being honest, I thought things will be awkward between them at
Gunner smiles “Hi”
in my room?” Noah asks at the
“Sure”
bunch of cookies and hands them to Gunner. Then he goes to
couple
new game to show you” Noah says
it would
I guess
I’m surprised Gunner made the first
2/5
I had completely forgotten that he
+15 BONUS
is like that too at first. He has to
is reserved I mean, he likes his own company. He doesn’t like
himself”
“Seriously?” I ask shocked.
point I think Rex and
but I was a teacher. Even I knew that that wasn’t typical behaviour for
a child to be that withdraw, then there is probably a problem. I know it doesn’t lie with
at them to know
Gunner is as withdrawn as Cal
that way.
him out of his shell” I
island. Taking one of the barstools, I exhale in
the cupcake. My mind completely
Calvin says after
“For what?”
off as rude
face him. “In your defence, I was
about it”
about that day reminds me of the pain I saw in his eyes.
trying to hide
but I can tell he is not. I recognize the
through the same
someone who’s been hurt to see the pain others are trying to hide. Especially if
315
+15 BONUS
a living?” He asks, probably trying to
a teacher, but I’m on leave for the next few
about going back, but I decided against
to myself. Not only because of
my mental state. O
with Rowan? Noah is his
damn city knows what happened with Rowan. I didn’t
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
The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!