Chapter 38

I woke up with a zeal to confront Leslie. She had no right breaking into my house and causing a scene. She had done enough of that throughout our co-parenting life and I wasn't about to allow it to stretch to my future life

“What did you expect me to do when I got wind of you spending time with that peasant? You should be sacrificing that for us,” she hollered, poking her fingers on my chest.

Ignoring her name-calling at Shannon, I shoved her hand away from me and said, “You lost the chance to earn sacrifices from me. Were it not for Claire, I would never have let you come anywhere near me. If what you did last night repeats itself, I will file a restraining order against you.”

“Let’s make things up, I will-”

“Leslie!” I interrupted her predictable pleas. I’d heard those lines too many times and was not in the mood to hear them again. “I want you to get out. Right now. Your ride is outside.”

“I’m taking Claire with me. You will never see her again!”

I cracked up at her empty threats. “I’d love to see you try that. She’s not coming with you today.” Amidst protests, I took her hand, dragging her out of the house and into the car meant to take her home. Jim, Claire’s driver gave me a nod before zooming off with Leslie wailing in the backseat.

Going back inside, I went to check on Claire. She was still asleep so I wandered off to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. I was whisking some eggs when Shannon walked in, rubbing her cute brown orbs and yawning her sleep away.

“Can I help?” she asked after exchanging morning pleasantries.

“Sure. I’m cooking pancakes. Is there anything else you will like to eat?”

She parted her lips to speak but Claire beat her to it. “Good morning?”

“Good morning,” we chorused. I had to watch what I was doing around Claire because I didn’t want her to despise Shannon for whatever reason. They were both important to me and I loved them immeasurably but each in a different light.

“This is my friend, Shannon,” I said. A smile graced her lips as she covered the distance between them so they could shake hands. It only meant one thing, Leslie hadn’t corrupted her mind yet.

“I have been dying to meet you. Your father here speaks so much of you.” She wasn’t lying, we talked a lot about Claire before retiring to bed. She wanted to get to know her since she was going to be in our lives sooner or later.

“That’s nice, I guess.” Her eyes moved from Shannon to me. “I can’t find Mom, have you seen her?”

I was quick to make up an excuse for Leslie having to leave before diverting her mind elsewhere.

“We’re going hiking. Do you want to join us?”

Her eyes lit up as she bobbed her head vigorously. It had been a while since we went hiking and I could tell we were going to have fun. The weather wasn’t as bad as the night before and the roads had cleared up, so it was safe to say we were ready for some adventure.

Hours later, geared up in our hiking shoes, excitement, and determination, we trudged uphill. The trail was a straight line that could only fit one person at a time. Shannon was first in line with Claire and me trailing closely behind.

“How is this any fun? I can’t believe I agreed to this.” Shannon’s voice echoed the hills, followed by Claire and I’s laughter. Heights weren’t her thing and we were barely on a high spot yet.

“You’ll take back your words when we get there,” I warned.

“Ha! You wish.” I couldn’t see her face but I knew her eyes were rolling at my words.

“It is a beautiful place, especially the waterfall. You will fall in love,” Claire said, prompting Shannon to give in. “You, I believe. Waterfall, here we come,” she screamed, earning snickers from us.

After a few complaints, multiple stops, and occasional gasps for air, we were finally at our destination. Shannon’s eyes twinkled in delight at the scene before her. The soothing sound of the waterfall had her shutting her eyes and stretching her arms towards it.

“It’s breathtaking. Wow!” Her eyes opened to glance at me. “I take back my words.”

Laughter filled the air at her confession. She was bound to like it. Claire rushed to dip her feet in the lagoon-shaped water streaming from the waterfall. It was shallow enough to swim in.

“I’m going to change,” Claire announced.

“To change?” Shannon raised her eyebrows, looking between us for an answer.

“Yeah, we’re going for a swim,” Claire replied in a duh tone and wandered off to her changing spot.

My lips parted to tell her I got her costume covered but my phone’s ringtone interrupted me. Calvin was calling to notify us that they were coming over so I voiced it out to her.

“Are they joining us here?”

“They will be meeting us at the house because we can’t stay long. The sun may be shining now but could change drastically.” The clouds were quite dull for the sun kissing our skins. It was only a matter of time before the rain would come spewing like last night.

Taking my spare swimsuit, she followed Claire to the hideout. Their sweet voices as they conversed wafted to me, a grin spreading across my face. This was the kind of life I craved for years on end.

“This has got to be the worst outfit I have worn in my life.” She tugged at the loose material dangling on each side of her body.

“You’re being dramatic now,” I joked. “You look gorgeous.”

“Maybe a little,” she said, coming to stand next to me. “I like your costume.”

I encircled my arms around her waist, her light giggles rewarded with pecks on her cheek. Water from Claire’s dive splashed on us, jolting us apart amidst cackles. It was easy getting immersed in our bubble but we had to learn to tone it down for Claire’s sake.

“Are you up for a race?” she asked.

“What’s the prize for the winner?”

Her finger drummed on her cheek, her eyes darting around in thought. “The winner will get to know the other’s dirty secret.”

I knew I would win automatically, getting to know her secret. “We got a deal then. Claire will be the judge.”

Once we were in place, Claire’s whistle indicated the beginning of the race and we took off. The water was cold when we first jumped in, but as I flapped my arms and legs in freestyle, I began to get warm. Seconds later, my arm touched the rock that signified the end of the race. I was about to start teasing Shannon only to find her beside me, a smirk plastered on her face. We glanced at Claire for the verdict.

She shrugged. “It was a tie. Nobody won.”

We turned to each other, a knowing look on our faces as we dived back in the water.