"Why aren't you married?" Aaron asked, glancing up from his scrambled eggs.
Kate let out a half laugh in amusement. "Aaron, you need a boyfriend to get married," she reminded him.
"Why can't you get a boyfriend? You're pretty. I mean, my friends all think you're hot."
Kate choked on her coffee, struggling not to spit it out. When they were together, Jack had teased her about Aaron's friends having crushes as teenagers. She didn't believe him then and she was ill prepared for them to think so at 7 years old.
"Why didn't you marry Dad?"
"We just broke up before the wedding—"
"But why didn't you marry him before that? You were together a long time."
"I guess," Kate sighed, trying to think of how to explain such complicated things to a child. "Your father and I were so happy to have you and each other that it didn't seem as important as just being together as a family."
"Dad said you met when your plane crashed."
"We did," she released a sad smile as memories came rushing back. The island, their relationship, their fallen friends. "We lived on an island until we were rescued. That's where we fell in love."
"Why did you breakup?" He pushed.
"What is this all about?" She asked, holding her coffee mug with two hands to warm her hands. "Did something happened at your dads? Did he say something? Does he have a new girlfriend?"
Aaron noticed the slight change of tone in his moms voice when she asked if he had a girlfriend. "I just don't want you to die alone," he shrugged, not realizing the gravity of what he had said.
His words hit Kate deeper than she'd expected. She hadn't realized that Aaron was worried about her; she had no idea he had wanted a stepfather. She hadn't so much as looked at a man since Jack. The idea of opening up to someone, giving herself to someone and even touching someone else was unappealing. Maybe Aaron was right, maybe it was time for her to start dating again.
"Finish up, we've got to go," Kate said quickly. She was slightly relieved that Jack had Aaron tonight; his words really sank in. For the first time, she imagined dying alone.
While Kate was getting dressed, Aaron ran outside, constantly checking to make sure his mom didn't see. He carefully held the kitchen knife; he wasn't allowed to touch the knives but he needed to get his parents together.
They had only gotten halfway to school when Aaron felt the car vibrate intensely. He knew his plan had worked, half of it anyway.
"The tire is slashed!" Kate cried once she had pulled over. "Someone had to do this on purpose." She stood staring in disbelief.
"Dad knows how to change a tire!" Aaron yelled. "Let's call him!"
"I know how to change a tire, too. But, you've got to get to school…" Before she finished her sentence, Aaron had taken the phone from Kate's purse and dialed his father.
As expected, Jack dropped everything to get to them.
"Hop in," he said, opening the door from the inside. "You too, Kate."
"I have to call a tow truck and wait for them."
"Not alone. You hear horror stories about that. I'll come with you."
"You have work," she reminded him.
"I already told them I won't be in today. Come on, Kate."
"Yeah, Mom. You can stay with Dad today. You'll be safe!" Aaron cried. He hadn't expected his plan to work out this well. His parents would spend time alone together. He wondered if they'd reminisce; he'd tried to get each parent to think of the other.
At her son's urging, she joined them. She stole a few glances at Aaron during the trip. What had made him so afraid for her lately? She glanced out the window, thinking of the romantic invitations she'd received. For the first time, it felt like holding onto hope for a reconciliation with Jack was like waiting for a miracle.
As they pulled up in school, Aaron carefully removed the car keys from his mom's purse, silently praying the keys wouldn't jingle. When he got them, he quickly slid them into his pocket. He hated that his mom would be upset, but he needed them to spend time together if they'd ever fall back in love. When he got to school, he dropped the keys in the main office. "I found these in the parking lot," he lied, pretending he didn't know who they belonged to. That should buy him some time.
"I just had them," Kate said through gritted teeth. She'd emptied her purse three times and couldn't find her keys. She knew she had them, because she was now locked out of her car. And her house. Tears of frustration started to build and she struggled not to let Jack see her cry.
"Let's take a break," Jack offered. He knew Kate well enough to know when she was frustrated. He also knew her well enough to pretend he didn't notice the tears. "Let's get some breakfast."
Kate nodded. Jack tried not to take her defeated look personally. He hoped after all these years they could share a meal awkwardly but he wasn't sure. After all, he still loved her just as much after all these years. He knew she didn't feel the same, but she would always be the one that got away. All these years and he still thought it must be fate that she'd literally fallen out of the sky and into his life.