Page 55 of Dare You to See Me
“So I said listen, my son comes first in my life. And if you can’t understand that, then I don’t think we can continue this relationship. Needless to say she was not pleased, but as a single parent you have to put your kid first. You know that. I feel like only another single parent understands how important that is.”
Wesley has droned on and on about himself for the last forty-five minutes we’ve been at the park, and I’m about ready to shove an ice pick through my ear. It is abundantly clear that he thinks very highly of himself and he wants me to feel the same. I can’t tell you the number of times I have zoned out only for him to ask me a question that I smile and nod my head at. For all I know, I’ve agreed to move in and wait on him hand and foot, which I can tell he would enjoy.
Once again I have lost all touch with reality when he says, “Is that Mr. Dare?”
I blink and begin looking around the park. It doesn’t take long for me to spot him waving at the kids as they play on the swings. Mason waves haphazardly from his swing, while Dahlia jumps off and goes running straight for him.
She jumps and he catches her, wrapping herself around him and kicking her feet.
“Does she always hug him like that?” Wesley’s voice is condescending.
“Uh, pretty much. She thinks he’s the best thing since bubblegum ice cream.” I watch the two of them interact and can see how much joy each brings out in the other.
“Isn’t that a little weird? Him always hugging and talking with her? I mean, if it were Mase I’d be concerned.”
I turn to look at him as he watches the two of them with a discerning eye. “I don’t think so. He’s very passionate about teaching and it shows by how much his students love him. And when little kids love, they don’t know how to censor it for certain people. They see him more than some parents probably do, so it’s natural that they would develop a feeling for him like they would their moms and dads. If she was fifteen and he was hugging on her teacher like that, yes, I’d be quite concerned. But she’s five and doesn’t have a father around, so she’s taken to him as a male role model. And if that is who she looks up to, I couldn’t pick someone better.”
My rant has Wesley staring at me speechless and I’m glad I could silence his yakking mouth.
Directing my attention back to the play area, I notice Dahlia point a finger in our direction and Malik waves. I lift my hand to wave back, but Wesley does not. And when Malik walks over to us I stand while Wesley keeps seated. Jackass.
“Ms. Brooks. Mr. Collier. Funny running into you here.” Malik has a tight smile but doesn’t look even a little bit amused.
“I’d say it’s more surprising to find you here, Mr. Dare.” Wesley arches a brow and crosses his arms over his chest, eyeing Malik suspiciously.
Malik barely flinches at his judgement and replies, “I’m supposed to meet my brother here for a ride.” He points to a black motorcycle parked at the curb.
The sunlight shines making it look like it sparkles. “I didn’t know you ride a motorcycle.”
Did I?Maybe somewhere along the way I heard that, but I guess I can only see him as a teacher and not the kind of man that rides a dangerous motorcycle.
“Next to teaching, it’s my favorite thing in the world.” When he speaks, he looks light and carefree and like all of his happiness sits parked on the street.
“I used to have a bike before I had a family and responsibilities. Once Mason came along, it was time to grow up and be a man. No more playing with toys.” Wesley hmpfs at Malik, but I don’t think he even bothers to listen to him.
“I know plenty of men who have families and ride bikes or race cars or climb rocks. It’s important to have a passion. Without it, you’re just another body walking the earth.”
Wesley’s jaw works side to side and my eyes ping pong between the two men. They’re like fire and ice. Malik has a fire that burns for the things he loves, and Wesley looks like he’s only ever known cold and dankness.
I open my mouth to say something, but a piercing wail shatters the peaceful afternoon. When we look over to the playground, we see Mason sprawled out on the wood chips holding his arm and Dahlia kneeling down, patting his shoulder.
“Mase!” Wesley shouts and takes off running.
I move as if I’m going to follow, but Malik grabs my arms and holds me in place.
“What are you doing here with him?” His tone is something I’ve never heard before.
It’s accusatory and almost angry.
“The question is, what areyoudoing here? Why would you be at this park out of all of the ones in Cattywump?”
He steps back like I’ve slapped him and now I feel awful for even thinking something like that.
“I’m supposed to meet Henny here so we can ride. Imagine my surprise when I saw you here, cozied up with that asshole. I thought you had plans?” I swallow down my guilt for assuming.
“He called me this morning to meet after school. I’ve run out of reasons why I’m always so busy when he asks. I figured we’d meet, the kids would play and hate it, and that would be the end of it.”
My words that I thought would put him at ease seem to only make him more tense. I can hear his jaw clicking with tension and his fists are balled up.
