Page 22 of Blinded By Forever
Junior is laying on the couch watching some sort of fight on the TV, Easton is laying on the floor building legos, and River is at the table, drawing.
I’m grateful for them.
Grateful for the mess, the noise, the life they bring into me whenever I feel like darkness strikes. Because the minute they get quiet, my overthinking gets worse.
I try not to let them see it. The way I keep checking my phone, waiting for a text from him or the way I stared out the window every time a car drove by like maybe it was him and he came home early.
He hasn’t.
I’m putting the kids’ mashed potatoes on a plate next to the homemade Romanian recipe my mom gave me that has a red sauce and chicken with other seasonings.
“Mom!” Junior yells from the couch. I check to make sure the stove is off before I walk towards the living room, looking at Junior. “Look at the TV!”
I turn and look at the flat screen TV and see Hayden on the screen, in the middle of a boxing ring.
Hayden mentioned that he had a fight during his trip. I wish I could have come to watch him, but I know this fight wasn’t the only reason he went to California.
“Daddy!” River exclaims in the background.
I watch as Hayden wipes sweat from his forehead and breathes heavily into the mic someone gives him.
“Hayden! That was a great knockdown. You never fail to disappoint us. What would you like to say to your fans tonight?”
He licks the sweat falling on his lip and places one of his hands on his hip. “I’d like to thank my fans for the constant love and support they show me, in the ring and out of it. I’m glad that I’m able to do what I love for a living, it’s a blessing.”
“And I noticed your family isn’t here with you tonight, they usually are. Anything to comment on that?” another interviewer asks.
He nods. “They’re at home supporting me.”
“Any honorable mentions tonight, Hayden?”
Hayden nods. “I’d like to mention my family tonight. I always do when I win fights but I want to honor my wife who is taking care of our kids at home, waiting for me to get home.” He’s looking straight into the camera, as if he’s looking straight at me. “This win is for you, princess. All of my wins are. For every day you take care of the kids while I train or work. For every time you forgave me when I didn’t deserve it. For loving the man underneath the bruises. You’re the strongest person I know. Every time I step in the ring, I fight like hell to be worthy of you.” Hayden exhales through his nose, his lips twitching into a soft smile. “I don’t need a title or the rush. I’ve already got the only thing that matters waiting at home.”
I stand frozen in front of the TV, my heart clenches so tight it’s starting to hurt.
Junior grins. “He’s talking about you, Mom.”
I can’t help but smile as I watch him on the TV. Reporters come closer to ask him more questions but he tries to get away.
The doorbell rings and River squeals, “Mama! The doorbell!”
I shake my head and walk out of the living room to go towards the front door.
And when I open the door, I freeze again.
They were everywhere.
Peonies.
Hundreds of them.
Soft pink petals overflowing from massive arrangements that lined my front porch like a fairytale exploded outside my house.
River comes out and gasps with a huge smile on her face. “Mommy! It’s flowers!”
I blink. My throat goes tight and my heart clenches again.
There were more than just a few vases, there were boxes, wrapped bouquets, and baskets.
