I went to work, and when I arrived, I found Hazel in the locker room. She was preparing herself to go home.
"Hi!" I greeted her with a smile.
"Hey! How are you?" Hazel said and looked at me while she was putting some things on her locker.
"I am doing great."
"Really? Why do I feel like your eye is a bit puffy?"
"You know I am a mom of a toddler. I don't have much time to sleep."
I lied. I had been crying after I received a message from Acwell that he would send our divorce documents. It hurts me a lot.
"Yeah! I have been there. Oh, you know what? Earlier this evening, there was one customer who looked like Kai. I almost felt like he was the dad. But Kai's father is in Dubai, right?"
"Yeah. It's probably a coincidence. Sometimes we could be similar to someone unrelated."
"True! But for him, he was like Kai's big version."
I just laughed at what Hazel said. But to be honest, it made me think of what if Acwell flew here to LA. He now knows our address. But it's impossible; he already asked for a divorce. Why would he fly all the way here?
I went on my shift like usual. There was nothing special that night. And not many customers so, it was not tiring, but I still did receive $200 tips for tonight.
Before I left, I extended ten minutes for an old couple. They were very chatty and sweet. And they have given me $50 tips that made my overtime worth it.
I took the subway so I will arrive home early. I don't want to be late for Selene. She might have classes today, and I don't want her to be late.
When I arrived, Selene and Kai were playing in the living room.
"Hey, you guys! I am sorry I am a little late," I said.
"That's okay, Kamiah. My classes for today start at 02:00 PM, so I still have time."
"I was worried you would be late. I got stuck with an old couple at the diner. Would you like to stay for breakfast?"
"No, thank you! I have an exam later, so I will go home to study a bit."
"You're a smart girl; you will pass it."
"I hope so. By the way, ten minutes before you arrived a man came looking for you. But he immediately left when I told him that you are not here and I forgot to ask his name."
"Hmm.. Who could that be? Maybe the lawyer I wanted to talk to regarding getting a green card."
"He doesn't look like a lawyer to me. He somehow looks like Kai. But Kai's father is not here. He is in Dubai, right?"
I was surprised when she said that. Two people now have told me almost the same thing. Is Acwell really here? That can't be possible.
"You know what? One of the waitresses served a customer last night who looked like Kai, too. Weirdly, this is the second time I have heard this."
Selene laughed and said, "We might have problems with our eyes and maybe lack of sleep. We are seeing people we should not be seeing."
"Maybe. Anyway, thanks a lot, Selene."
Selene left, and I played with Kai. Five minutes after, I heard a knock on the door.
"Did Selene forget something?" I said before going to the door.
But when I opened it, I got tongue-tied. It was Acwell.
"Hello, Kamiah!" Acwell said with a smile.
"What are you doing here?" I exclaimed.
"I came for my wife and son."
I tried to close the door, but he managed to stop me.
"Please! I know you are angry, but please let us talk."
I don't want to talk to him. I tried to close the door, but I heard Kai cried. I ran towards Kai leaving the door open. And I saw that he had climbed the table, but he was afraid to go down.
"It's alright, sweetie!" I held him so he would stop crying.
"What happened?"
I turned and saw Acwell already inside. Shit! The voice on my head yelled.
"He climbed the table and could not go down."
"Oh, sorry. It's okay, baby. You will learn how to do it soon."
Kai turned, stopped crying, and smiled. Then, he said, "Daddy, daddy!" He clapped his hands, and I smiled.
"Could I hold him?"
"Sure."
Acwell held Kai, and he started to laugh. Kai must have missed him a lot.
"Have you eaten?"
"No. I just got from work. I was about to prepare something, but you came."
"Can I take you for breakfast?"
I wanted to tell him can you leave but when I looked at Kai my mind changed.
"Let's just eat here. I will cook something. You can play with Kai while I do that. I think he missed you."
"I missed him, too. Thank you!"
I went to the kitchen while Acwell stayed with Kai. I stood there with a lot of questions in my head.
I heard Kai laughing while they were playing. It made me smile. Kai needs that, but what is going to happen now. I was so confused. I don't know what I will do. I came all the way here so I could be away from Acwell, but he followed me. What does he want? I agree with the divorce without any complaints, so what is his reason to be here? Does he have to get married and stay here as well? Why can't he let me be alone in peace?
I could not start myself from cooking. But I needed to cook because Kai would be hungry. I decided to cook pasta. I want something fast and easy because I won't be able to focus on it.
Who had told him where we were? But I remember giving my address to him. I regret doing that; however, it was also necessary for our divorce.
I was standing in front of the stove, looking blank, when Acwell and Kai appeared.
"Are you okay?" Acwell asked, and it startled me.