The Story Of Us

- Chapter 18 -

Roseanne

Purpose is a funny thing. Last week I spent my time with a woman and it felt like it was exactly what I was supposed to be doing—as if fate had stepped in and taken care of everything for me.

Yet this week, I will be spending my time with a little man who is the reason I am here.

He's my purpose.

He's my world.

The make believe world I had up until yesterday was just a smoke screen, an optical illusion of happiness.

Lisa doesn't even know who I really am.

Last week I arranged to take the day off work today. Now I sit in the crowded arrival lounge at LAX airport, deep in thought. I'm an hour early. I couldn't sit still at home. Lisa didn't come back last night and she didn't answer her phone when I called her after a few hours, either.

The more I think about it, the angrier I become. She has no right to judge me the way she did.

She had no fucking right to be furious just because she wasn't getting her way.

Distraught, disappointed, and unable to go to sleep in the coldest bed of all, I stayed up and cleaned my house from top to bottom in celebration for my two favorite people arriving home today.

My people.

My real people.

"Coffee for Roseanne," the girl calls.

I smile and step forward as I take my coffee, and then I go and sit near the window and stare out over the runway.

I need to talk to her. There's so much to say. I take out my phone and stare at it for a moment. I'm not playing games. I was in the wrong and I know it. I should have told her, but I didn't expect to fall in love, or that she would return my feelings. I didn't know the connection we had would escalate at the rate it did. We were together for a total of ten days, for Heaven's sake. Every day I knew I had to tell her and every day I chickened out.

I deserve this.

I click on her name and hit call. It rings and then goes to voicemail. I close my eyes, knowing she rejected the call.

I leave a message anyway.

"Lisa, it's me." I pause for a moment as I look around. "I need to talk to you, Lisa. I need to explain a few things." My eyes tear up. "Call me back... please," I push out over the lump in my throat. "Can you come over tonight after work?" I glance around and then realize where I am and swipe my tears away angrily. "See you later, I hope." I hang up. I blow out a deflated breath.

I did it. I just hope she comes over tonight before I have to see her at work tomorrow.

* * *

"Mommy!" Owen calls as he runs and jumps into my arms. I laugh as he nearly knocks me off my feet, and I squeeze him tight.

"Oh, baby. I missed you so much," I whisper as I start to kiss him all over his face and hold him close.

I feel myself instantly relax and I know I'm going to be alright... because the only one that matters in my life is Owen.

I stand and grab Ashley in an embrace. "Oh, I've missed you, Ash." I smile through tears.

She stands back and cups my face as she studies me. "Are you okay?" she asks.

I smile through my tears. "I will be."

She frowns.

I take Owen's bag from her and sling it over my shoulder. "We got a lot to talk about, kiddo." I smile as I take his hand. "Let's go get your suitcase."