Jailbird

~Part 2: Chapter 31~

Sienna

Another year passed and I couldn't push this off any longer.

This was going to be one of the hardest conversations I would have to have with Zedlin...

I waited patiently with Nathan on my lap, squirming like a little worm.

He was always super excited to see his dad and it made my heart warm, but also ache as I thought about how much harder it had been to make that physically happen.

I just hoped Zedlin understood my reasonings.

Suddenly, video popped up of Zedlin sitting in his seat as usual, eyebrows furrowed as he stared at the screen, scratching at his head.

I could always tell the connection was slower from his end, because he'd go from looking confused to having a wide smile stretch across his face within seconds.

Just as always, his expression changed drastically as the connection strengthened on his end.

"Hello my wonderful family!" He chuckled lowly, causing Nate to squeal with glee.

"Hi, Daddy! I miss you!" Nathan shouted at the camera, causing Zedlin to laugh.

He scratched his hair vigorously, "I miss you like crazy, man. Give me a fist bump, daddy's feeling a little sad today."

Nate eagerly reached out his little fist to touch Zedlin's huge fist nearly covering the whole camera.

"Don't be sad, Daddy! Maybe mommy can tell you a joke. Her jokes are really funny!" Nathan explained to him as if everything made sense that way.

Zedlin finally acknowledged me and looked directly into my eyes and I just stared back.

Things had been rocky, to say the least. The closer he got to finishing his sentence, the more hectic life got and the more we didn't go and visit him.

He was píssed and I was out of excuses. I just didn't put forth enough effort, but I also had been working on myself while he'd been away.

Thinking about a future with Zedlin in it was easier without Zedlin being around to cloud my mind. He sometimes could be overbearing and make me lose sight of what was best for me and Nathan.

I really had to slow down and think of better solutions for the both of us and making our family function properly.

Right now, Zedlin and I were way too toxic and it wasn't what I wanted around Nathan.

I watched Zedlin stubbornly say nothing, but he reached for his head again and scratched like a dog with a bad itch.

"Zedlin, do you have lice?" Were the first words I said to him.

"I don't fùcking know," he muttered, scratching at his dàmn head again.

I frowned, "You haven't stopped scratching your head since we started. I think you need to get that looked at."

"I'll get right on that when they actually give a shít to call the doctor in."

"Do I need to have Nathan leave the room? Your mouth is ridiculous today," I said, raising an inquisitive brow his way.

He shook his head with his fingers still digging around his scalp, "No. Sorry."

"It's okay, daddy. I don't want you to be sad," Nate interjected, making Zedlin smile even sadder.

"Thanks, buddy. I'll try not to be. I love you."

Nathan got closer to the camera, "I love you more, daddy!"