8. Adam #3
Although, she really did need to start putting that boundary up between her and Asher.
Yes, she was his mother, but that wasn't her whole identity.
If she kept going down this path, then she'd end up smothering Asher and preventing him from having a fun life.
Also, she wouldn't be doing her mental health any favors either if she kept her identity tied to Asher.
"How about this," I started with a cautious smile, "you take Asher with you, do what you need to do, and I'll take the lil' guy when I drop off lunch for you?
That way, I can take him back to a nice and cozy bed for his nap, give you some time to just focus on getting work done, and I'll make dinner with him so you can come home to a smiley kid and a hot meal.
Yeah?" I tried to convince her with a warm smile as I bargained with her in a pleading voice.
Sweetening my smile to try and rope her in more, I added, "You'll still have him for most of your shift today, and he'll get to sleep in his comfy bed for a nap rather than his playpen.
And if you really can't stand to be away from him for too long, then I can drop him back off with you after he wakes from his nap. "
There were lots of other things I could have said, and there were definitely other things to be added in not-so-nice ways, but I didn't want to be a jerk to her.
Not when I could see that she was really trying her best out here in this rotten world.
She didn't need someone harping on her for the wrongs in her life or how she chose to live it. Not that I had an issue with her doing what she did; I didn’t have an issue with how she was doing things, I just saw some better ways to go about them, especially with the help I offered her.
But, again, I wasn't going to soapbox her, not when I had no right to.
We sat in tense silence as Eliza debated for a good while. She almost had me a few times when she looked at me forlornly and opened her mouth, but she always promptly shut it and turned her head away before any words came out.
After she did that a few times, I thought she'd reject the idea, so I found myself looking at her in disbelief and victory when she said, "Alright, fine.
" Before I could celebrate my little victory, she slapped a lid on my budding excitement.
"But! But." She looked at me pointedly, making sure my full attention was on her before she continued, "But, if I want Asher back once he is done napping, I expect you to drop whatever you are doing and bring him back to me, a-alright? "
And here I thought her backbone started to come through. She started off so strong and nice, but her voice wavered in the end.
Well, I was still proud of her because progress was progress, no matter how little.
Leaning in, I pressed my forehead against hers and smiled proudly. " Brava ragazza, sono così fiero di te ," I whispered, appreciating the way her cheeks flared up brightly in response.
Brushing off the short and tender moment, I gave her some space before brightening my smile into an excited grin.
Then, I eagerly nodded in response and switched back to English.
"Of course, whatever you want. You are his mother, after all, and it would just be an asshole move of me to disregard your wishes and wants when it comes to your child. "
I might be an asshole to many people, usually scumbags who never deserve to be treated decently for even a second, but never to a woman. Actually, that would be a lie because I could be a little snappy toward a female if she were a total snobby bitch. That was rare, though!
"Also, you still haven't exactly answered my question from earlier about what you want for lunch, that's not a ham sandwich, and dinner," I reminded her with a cheeky smile, chuckling softly when Eliza rolled her eyes and playfully smacked my arm.
"Again, it's either you tell me, or I'll surprise you. "
Accepting her defeat with an unamused scoff, she gave me an answer, "Surprise me with any sandwich of your choice, but just keep it small. I usually have a small appetite for lunch." She didn't sound too happy about giving in to me, but at least she didn't try to fight it.
Also, she didn't have to tell me that because I’d seen how little she ate at lunch—if it could even be called a meal. Seriously, her lunch portions were so small they qualified as snacks, in my opinion.
"And uhh dinner…" she drawled, and her eyes glazed over with a distant look for a few seconds. "I guess you could surprise me since I'm not really craving anything or have any idea for what to request."
"You're not going to get mad at me for not being able to read your mind, are you?
" I joked with a laugh. "This isn't one of those 'I don't know' moments where you really know what you want but don't want to tell me and want me to figure it out by myself and whatnot, is it? " God damn, that was a mouthful to say.
A soft smack echoed through the area and Eliza rolled her eyes.
"I wouldn't do that to you. I really don't know, nor do I really care as long as it's edible food and somewhat good," she replied truthfully, smiling gratefully at me.
"Besides, the last thing I want to do is piss you off by making you chase your own tail around.
" I think that was an attempt to joke around, but it came out so forced and dry I doubt there was any lightheartedness behind her words.
Which brought another issue back to my mind regarding how skittish and overly reactive she was. To be honest, I wanted to bring it up to her the day at the park, but I dropped it and we moved right past it. The last thing I wanted to do at the park was further dampen the mood.
And it was the last thing I wanted to do now. And I definitely wanted to avoid dampening the mood when I was gaining more ground with her.
I didn't want to stress her out before work either; that'd be pretty fucked up of me.
Besides, we were having a very good morning, despite the fact I'd showed up without warning and let myself. I mean, I could have been in cuffs or behind bars had things gone south.
Okay, maybe not that bad because no cop in their right mind would cuff me, nor would I ever face charges.
Not with how much dirty money I threw the legal system to turn a blind eye to my activities.
The mafia paid good money to ensure smooth operations, so I'd have been really pissed if I had gotten arrested for something as trivial as breaking and entering—not that I did!
Pretty sure it didn't count as breaking and entering if I had a key to the place.
Granted, I didn't have explicit permission to have the key, but that tiny detail didn't matter.
Either way, the subject of her being tightly wound and hyper-reactive could wait to be discussed some other time.
Pulling myself out of my troublesome mind, I asked, "Is there anything you're craving or have an affinity toward right now? Or do I really have full reign? I have mad kitchen skills, so unless you want something extremely complicated, I’m confident I can manage.
" Hopefully, staying on an innocent enough subject would set me straight again.
Once again, Eliza pondered for a second, this time humming to herself softly for a bit.
"Maybe just something savory? I know it may sound weird and not the best, but like something nice and savory.
A nice bowl of actual ramen, or a juicy and fatty steak with mashed potatoes and gravy, or a plate of cheesy and creamy pasta, or just something that would send us into an instant food coma because it's so filling and amazing.
" I loved how her eyes lit up with hope and excitement as she spoke.
"I mean, I guess those are some ideas for you for tonight.
" She chuckled sheepishly with an uneven smile.
Smiling happily and proudly in return, I reached out and stroked the top of her head. "I'll make you something so amazing you'll have no choice but to keep me around," I joked with a hearty chuckle.
"One lovely dinner for my little rose coming right up."