"Hey," Kate whispered, tucking a brown curl behind her ear. She wore white skinny jeans and a black tee shirt with leopard print flats. She had her hand on top of Aaron's head and playfully used it to steer him into Jack's apartment.
"Ready for this?" He whispered, returning the smile she offered.
They moved to the living room where Aaron sat, arms crossed, waiting for a punishment.
"Grandma isn't here," Aaron glanced around. He knew she'd be the one in his corner. He also knew she'd take the blame.
"Grandma is in trouble herself," Jack promised. "But you've got to let us know what's going on, Buddy. Talk to us."
Aaron knotted his fingers nervously, the same way Kate always did. Observations like that always warmed Jack's heart; he wondered if Kate knew how deeply Aaron loved her or how much he tried to mimic her.
"Aaron," Kate spoke softly, "you said you wanted your dad and I back together…"
"Why can't you?" Aaron cried out. "You loved each other! We were happy! All of us!"
"I'm sorry," Kate said calmly. "I'm sorry our breakup has had such an affect on you. But sometimes people who love each other are still happier—"
"But you aren't!" The boy wailed. He looked at Jack. "She cries at night, Dad. She's not happy; I know she's not."
"Is that true?" Jack asked, his attention on Kate.
"I mean… no… I didn't…" she stammered." She felt Jack's eyes on her. "I didn't cry," she repeated. "Maybe once or twice… if a sad movie was on or something…"
"You can't see it anyway," the child grumbled.
"What do you mean?" Jack asked.
"Grandma says everyone can see it but you two."
"I'm going to talk to her," Jack gruffed.
"Aaron, honey that is only your grandma's opinions," Kate added.
"You would have fallen in love if you hadn't come back early."
"We came back early because we love you," Kate fixed his hair, her fingernails gently scratching his scalp. "Even if your father and I were falling in love at the lake house, you still come first. We would have left if you were sick anyway."
"Can we go back there?" Aaron's eyes were wide.
"Absolutely not. You're still in trouble," Kate reminded him.
"Grandma, too." Jack added, trying to hide his amusement. "Go play, I want to talk to your mom."
When Aaron was in his room, Jack poured two glasses of wine, handing one to Kate.
"Sometimes I'm not even sure if I'm winning or losing at parenting," Kate laughed nervously.
"We," Jack corrected. "And we're winning. This whole thing is because he didn't want to see his mom sad."
"I'm not sad," she lied. As she finished her bottle of wine she looked at the time "I should probably go…"
Jack nodded. He hated the awkwardness between himself and Kate; he didn't know whether it was his fault, her fault or both but he wasn't sure how to fix it. He let her walk out without another word.
"Dad?" Aaron asked a short while later, "you know how you and mom said not to meddle? If I talk to my teacher and try and make him call Mom, would she be mad at me for meddling?"
"I thought you didn't like her dating him?"
"I don't. But… I wasn't lying. Mom cries at night; I hear her. If you don't love her anymore—"
"—who says I don't love her anymore?"
"If you loved her how could you stand to let her cry?" Aaron asked. Jack stared at the boy, his words sinking in. His son was right, how could he stand by knowing Kate was in pain. He racked his brain trying to remember if she'd ever let on, if he'd ever blatantly ignored her hints for help.
"I think you might be right, Buddy." Jack realized he'd failed Kate and in doing so, was failing Aaron, too. "Maybe we should drop you off with Grandma…"
"Do you want to see Mommy?"
"Yeah," Jack chuckled. "I really do want to see your Mom."