Chapter 33 #3
“I wouldn’t worry too much about it dear. It’s just that I have two children and I had almost six years to learn from my mistakes and believe me, mistakes were indeed made. So, don’t you feel bad about today. Consider it the first of many learning experiences. It won’t be the last, I assure you.”
“Well thanks again. I truly appreciate it. I guess we better get going. I need to get Angelo to the ER and I need to call his dad.” I smile at her again and turn to leave.
“Hey, Elena, why don’t we exchange numbers? Perhaps we could arrange playdates for the kids and we could maybe meet up for coffee sometime when we’re both free?”
“Uh yeah, sure, I’d love that. Though I doubt Angelo’s dad will trust me to take him anywhere again, that is provided I still have a job after today.”
I laugh nervously, thinking about the consequences I know I must face.
Angelo seems much better. He stopped crying and he’s enjoying his lollipop, sticky drool dripping down his good hand and his chin.
Jennifer and I exchange numbers and I promise to keep in touch regardless of the outcome later.
We say our goodbyes and then I walk over to the car.
After I strap Angelo in his car seat, I take out a few wet wipes and clean up his hand and face as best I can, considering he still has a death grip on the candy treat.
I get in the backseat with him and instruct the driver to take us to the nearest ER.
I take out my phone and see I have 4 missed calls from Enzo.
Shit! This day keeps getting better. I sigh, take in a deep breath and hit the call back button.
“Elena!” His voice cuts through from the other end of the line. He doesn’t sound pleased and I’m about to make it worse.
“Where are you? It’s been more than an hour since you told Nicole you were heading to the park. I called the house and there was no answer, so you’re obviously not at home. Explain!”
It’s a command. A very long-drawn-out command.
“Elena? Are you going to grace me with a response or should I just listen to your heavy breathing over the phone, because I feel like I should tell you I’m not in to that sort of perversion.”
“I uh-Uhm. Enzo I… there’s some…” My heart almost jumps out my chest at the sound of his voice when he barks my name.
“Elena! Speak! Now!”
“Enzo… Angel was playing in the sandpit. I took him to the park. That’s why he was playing in the sandpit. He was lonely and wanted to play with the other kids, you know, like the time we took him there together. I thought I’d ask you but you didn’t answer your ph-”
He cuts me off. Shit-shit-shit-shit. He’s pissed and I’m rambling on.
“What happened Elena? Where is my boy?”
“He’s right here, I just-” Cut off again. Oh, this is bad, this is very bad.
“What have you done? ANSWER ME DAMMIT!” I’m openly crying now; ugly loud sobs tear from my throat as I try and fail to find the words to explain what happened. I know my reaction is making it seem far worse than it is, but I’m terrified of his reaction.
“Elena, so help me God if you hurt one hair on my boys head…” I don’t hear the rest, seeing my obvious destress Angelo starts to cry too.
“I’m sorry Enzo, I’m so sorry. I was watching him the whole time until Jennifer started talking to me and before I knew it, he had a piece of glass in his hand. I’m sorry-”
He cuts me off again. Honestly why am I surprised?
“Who the fuck is Jennifer and what did you do to my son?”
“I didn’t do anything to him Enzo, I swear he was just playing in the sand. I swear to God it was an accident. I would never intentionally hurt him. You must know that right? I love-”
“Where are you now?” He growls over the phone.
“I’m on my way to the ER to make sure Angel is ok, I wanted to call you first.”
“Jesus fucking Christ Elena! The ER? Is he hurt that bad? My God, I trusted you with my child. You better pray that my little boy is okay because you won’t be once I deal with you. I told you not to leave without me.”
I swallow hard, trying not to choke on the lump in my throat.
He isn’t going to listen to anything I have to say.
That trust I worked so hard to gain is gone, in the blink of an eye.
We can never go back from this. He thinks that I was neglectful, that I would intentionally hurt Angel.
That’s what cuts me to the core. He already had the knife in my heart but now he’s gone ahead and twisted it, severing any chance we may have had.
“I understand. I’ll meet you there.” That’s all I say. There’s nothing more to say. It’s done.
“Fine! I’ll be there in thirty minutes.”
I cut the call before he can say anything further.
Turning to look at Angelo, I reach over and wipe his eyes with a tissue.
He’s stopped crying again and has returned his attention to his lollipop.
Almost sensing the change in my demeanor, he looks up at me and I smile at him.
He smiles back at me and I whisper those words I never wanted to say to him.
“I’m going to miss you, my Angel.”