Readers: This will be updated tonight. Get ready for a surprise.
Ch 8
The next few days were full of nothing but smiles. Mark and Eric seemed to be growing closer with each lesson taught while I grew more confident as a mom. I no longer felt the stinging pain from Andre's death and I could see that Mark was feeling a lot better about his loss. The more time we spent with each other, the closer I felt with him.
"Hey mom, do you like being a caterer?" Eric asked me.
He, Mark and I were taking a walk in a park located downtown. The sun was setting in the distance giving the entire area a warm glow.
Mark chuckled, "No wonder you're a great cook."
I giggled and flipped my freshly curled hair. "I've always known how to cook, even when I lived with my parents."
"And do you like it?" he asked with a glance at Eric.
I gave it some thought, "It gets the bills paid and helps me take care of this little rug rat."
"Hey!" Eric said.
I giggled and wrapped my arm around his shoulder, "I'm only kidding sweetie."
He laughed and wrapped his arm around my waist. "I know mom,"
Mark sighed, "So tell me Eric, what are you planning to do when you go back to school next week?"
Eric stopped walking, "I have to go back to school already?"
"You sure do," I said.
His face completely changed, "Oh…well I was hoping we could stay here."
I raised my eyebrow at him, "What?"
"I like it here mom. I mean we're still in the same state and I like hanging out with Mark." He said.
I was somewhat speechless. "Oh…well Eric that sounds good and all, but I can't really afford for us to move right now."
He sighed, "Aw man."
Mark stepped up and bent down in front of him, "Hey man, I think your mom is right. I think it's about time for you two to go home and test out everything I taught you."
"Will you visit?" he asked.
He nodded, "Any time I can man, I promise."
Eric smiled and hugged Mark. I couldn't contain the sudden urge to smile brightly at the sight. This was the happiest I had seen Eric in a long time and it warmed my heart.
When we got back from the park, I stood on the porch and watched them pass a football back and forth. Eric was laughing so much that I soon began to giggle with him. Later on, Mark came in the house and I took my time teaching him how to make spaghetti with meatballs. At one point we both reached for the mixing spoon and his hand landed on top of mine. We looked at each other for a moment before I gently slid my hand from under his. He licked his lips and fought off a smile as I walked away to start the dessert.
That night, we enjoyed our dinner in the living room where we talked to Eric more about his new attitude and his future. The entire time we were talking all I could think about was what Eric was saying earlier. I was starting to notice how happy he seemed here and being around Mark really seemed to help him open up about things. He was sitting there telling us how he was planning on getting better grades and wanted to go to college to play football.
"Do you know which college you want to go to?" Mark asked.
Eric shrugged, "I was thinking the University of Texas or maybe even leaving the state."
I raised my eyebrow, "I didn't think you would want to leave the state."
"Oh I do mom. I've always wanted to see other places." He said before taking a bite of his spaghetti.
"Why haven't you told me?" I asked.
He shrugged, "Well you were always busy working. I didn't think we'd have time for vacations."
I frowned and looked at Mark who smirked, "Well you could call this a vacation."
Eric laughed, "True, I feel like a new kid again. Thanks to you Mark."
"Well that's good. Just make sure you stay good for your mom." He said.
I glanced down at my lap trying to find a way to thank Mark for all of his help but I didn't know how.
When the day came for us to leave I found it so hard to say good-bye to him. "Will you call?"
He nodded, "Everyday if I have to."
I smiled and hugged him tightly, "Thank you so much Mark…you've done so much for us."
"You did a lot for me too baby girl and for that, I promise to always be in your life."
"Good, because I can't really see myself without you in our lives." I said.
"Same."
After one last hug the two of us got in my car and headed for home. I was sure going to miss Mark and I hoped that things wouldn't go haywire without him.
