Page 52 of Love By The Falls

“Maybe look and see if he’s solving the equations properly.”

I nod and watch Charlie put on his jacket.

“How are you?” asks Jane. “Are you still feeling sick?”

“Yeah. A little. Maybe I’m coming down with something.”

“Maybe. Or maybe it has something to do with taking Charlie to the park?”

My stomach turns at that very moment. “Maybe.”

“Do you want me to come with you?”

It would be easier having Jane there. “You know what? Sure. I’d feel better if you were there.”

“Let me grab Anthony and Cassandra and we’ll meet you at the park.”

“Thanks, Jane.”

“Are we going to the park?” asks Charlie.

“Yup.”

“And Anthony’s coming, too?”

I nod.

“Awesome.”

Jane and her kids meet us outside and we walk to the park together. As we draw nearer, I spot Jason at one of the picnic tables. He stands and walks toward us. Jane reaches for my hand and squeezes it as we cross the street in front of the park. The boys race to the slide and Cassandra pulls Jane toward the swings. “I’ll be right here if you need me.”

I inhale sharply and nod right before squaring my shoulders and meeting Jason at the sandbox behind the slides.

“I was worried you wouldn’t show up.”

“I keep my word.”

“I know. But we’ve both changed in this time, so I wasn’t sure.”

He looks over my shoulder at Charlie, and I cross my arms. “So, how do you want to do this?”

“I don’t know,” he says. “I’ll let you take the lead.”

I look over at Charlie, and he’s laughing at something Anthony just said. I hate interrupting them, but I want to get this over with. “I’ll call him over and introduce you as my friend. Then, you take it from there. But I’ll be next to you the whole time.”

“Alright.”

I take another gulp of air before closing my eyes, pray that I’m doing the right thing, and turn around. “Charlie! Can you come here for a minute?”

Charlie swings his body toward me, looks back at the slide longingly, but races over.

“Charlie, this is Jason Miller. Jason,” I inhale deeply, “this is Charlie.”

I continue taking large breaths to keep my anxiety down because my heart’s beating like a caged butterfly right now.

“Hi,” says Charlie.

“Hey there, little guy.”

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