CHAPTER FOUR — A MADE UP MIND.

Chapter 4.

A MADE UP MIND.

Valerie's POV.

“Where are you going to this early, Valerie?” Nora asked, with a tinge of curiosity in her voice as she stepped into my room with a hand on the doorknob “Last I checked, you don't have a job yet. So, where are you going to?”

Glancing at her reflection on the full-length mirror beside my bed as I dressed my hair into a topknot, she shuffled some steps towards me and then perched up on the edge of the bed.

“Good morning to you too, Nora.” I said, sarcasm rang deep in my voice. “Now, to answer your question. I believe I told you that I would be going to see him today.”

“And by him, you mean?” she asked, narrowing her gaze at the words. “Don't tell me it's who I think it is, Valerie.”

“Well, it's exactly who you think it is.” I said, with a note firmness in my voice as I retired my hands from my hair and turned to face her. “Did you really think that I was joking when I said that I would be going to see him today?”

“Of course, I thought you just said that.” she said, crinkling her face in confusion. “If anything, I thought we were over this already. Besides, weren't you listening to me last night? What if he's a married man now? Don't you know that showing up at his doorstep would complicate things for him?”

“In as much as I would like to consider the fact that he could be married, but what if he's not, huh?” I asked, with a raised brow. “What if he's not married?”

“Can you listen to yourself right now?” she asked, letting out a laughing scoff. “Are you expecting him to stay single after twelve solid years? Valerie! That's not possible. I'm sure he probably has a wife and two or three children. What would you say to him when you get there? If you ask me, I don't think this is a good idea.”

“Thank goodness I didn't ask you.” I said, with a shrug of my shoulder. “I knew that you would say this and that's why I didn't bother to ask for your opinion. Just to be clear, there's nothing you say or do right now that's going to make me change my mind. I have thought about it, Nora, and I can't keep living this way anymore. I mean, this is your apartment. If anything, I should have mine, but look at me. I have no job yet. So, how in the world am I going to get an apartment and start my own life?”

“I am not complaining, Valerie.” she said, shaking her head as she righted herself from the bed with a meaningful look in her eyes. “You can stay here as long as you want.”

“It is only a matter of time before you begin to complain, Nora.” I said, with ice in my voice. “No matter how good it seems now, it can't be like this forever. I need to find my own life too. Malcolm needs his father.”

“Do you really think that his father would help you get the kind of life you want?” she asked, using a carefully controlled tone. “Do you really think that he would just accept you if you decide to show up in front of him with your son and tell him that he's the father? There's no guarantee that he would.”

“Well, if he doesn't believe that Malcolm is his son, then we can always run a DNA test to prove that he's the father.” I said, with a shrug of my shoulder. “That won't be a problem. If anything, I've been searching for him for the past twelve years and now that I have the chance to meet with him, you want me to throw it away? I'm sorry, but I can't.”

“Valerie—”

“Mom, when are we leaving?” Malcolm asked, cutting Nora off. “Are we leaving soon, or do I return to continue playing with my toys?”

“Really?” Nora asked, with an edge to her voice as she turned to face me with a raised brow. “You are bringing him with you? Do you have any idea what you're doing right now?”

For one, I thought that Nora would acknowledge Malcolm's presence and pretend that there was nothing going on between us. However, it was rather obvious that she'd allow her emotions get the better of her. But then, the last thing I would want would be for Malcolm to watch me exchange words with her.

“Sweetheart, why don't you give mommy a few minutes? I'll be with you shortly.” I said, forcing a smile through my lips. “You can return to play with your toys just until I come for you.”

That said, he turned around and left the room. When I was certain that we were earshot, I turned to face her.

“What was that for?” I asked, speaking through my teeth with forced restraint. “Do you want him to know that there's something going on between us? What then would you have me say to him?”

“He is going to find out sooner than later.” she said, with a meaningful look in her eyes. “Besides, you're taking him to see his father. So, what's there to hide?”

“Well, until then there's no reason to say anything about it.” I said, shaking my head. “I made a mistake by leaving when I learned that I was pregnant for him. Now, it's time to correct that mistake.”

“Look, I know how much you want this.” she said, framing my face with her hands as she stared into my eyes with a knowing look. “However, I don't want you to get hurt. This might actually be a lot more complicated than you think. Are you sure you're ready for this?”

“We are never ready, Nora.” I said, gripping her hands as a smile pushed my lips to the side. “We are only prepared. For the past Twelve years, I've been preparing myself for this day. And I believe that I've prepared well enough. So, there's nothing to worry about.”

“Valerie—”

“I will be fine.” I said, cutting her off as I flashed a smile across her worried face. “Trust me. I'll be back before you know it.”

“I just hope you don't return with a long face.” she said, sweeping a tumbling hair back off my brow. “I will be waiting for you.”

“Thank you.” I said, barely breathing the words.

“Come on, Valerie, there's no need for that.” she said, shaking her head. “Besides, Malcolm must be waiting else you want him to scatter his toys all over the place again.”

“Of course not.” I said, ambling towards the door while she followed behind.

Locking my room shut, we proceeded to the sitting room where Malcolm was having the best time of his life with his toys.

“Sweetheart,” I said, wrapping a hand around his shoulder as I sat behind him. “It is time; we need to get going now.”

“Alright, mom.” he said, turning to face me with a smile and a few toys in his grip. “I will just keep them and return to you.”

“No, you don't have to worry about that,” Nora said, gathering the toys scattered on the couch. “I will keep them for you. All you have to do right now is to go with your mom.”

It was rather surprising to see Nora agree to keep the toys after almost bringing down the roof of the house last night because he scattered the toys all over the place. However, I guess she understood the situation of things.

“Thank you, Nora.” I said, righting myself from the couch. “I owe you a lot.”

“There is no point wasting any more time here.” she said, stating the obvious. “If anything, you should be on your way right now.”

“Give me your hand.” I said, extending mine towards him to receive his.

Gripping his hand, I walked him towards the door and then out of the house. Fortunately, there was no need to flag down a taxi because the man in question, who we're going to see and also happens to be Malcolm's father lives across the street.

“Mom, where are we going to?” he asked, turning to face me with a raised brow. “You haven't said anything about it yet.”

“I chose not to say anything about it because I know you love surprises, sweetheart.” I said, stroking his hair gently as we strode on the sidewalk down the street. “If I tell you, then it wouldn't be a surprise anymore. So, just wait a little longer.”

“How much longer, mom?” he asked, making a face. “I have already broken a sweat.”

“We are here, sweetheart.” I said, halting my steps as we arrived in front of a single-family detached home.

Although, it was late when I followed him down here last night, but I was certain that I wasn't at the wrong place. Drawing in a deep, calming breath, I stood on the porch and then rang the doorbell.

But then, it was as if Malcolm could sense that I was nervous given the look in his eyes. To put his mind at ease, I smiled at him. Suddenly, the door creaked open. Immediately, I turned back to face front.

“How did you find me?” he asked, as a flash of surprise lighted his eyes. “Besides, what are you doing here?”

I knew exactly what thoughts must have crossed his mind, but before I could open my mouth to reply him, a soft voice came from a distance.

“Honey, who's there?”

As the words fell upon my ears, I felt a sudden coldness that hits at the core. Honey? Nora was right after all; he was married. As I stood there trying to wrap my head around the words, the sound of footsteps approaching was heard. And before long, a rather familiar figure showed up at the door. However, as my gaze fell upon the woman that joined him at the door, my heart plummeted into my stomach.

“Stacy?” I called, to be certain that I wasn't mistaking her for someone else.

“Valerie?” she responded.

“Wait, you two know each other?” he asked, darting his gaze back and forth as a look of confusion seemed to mask his face.

“Yes, of course.” she said, with an excited catch in her voice. “Can you remember when I told you that I have a younger sister, and I've been searching for her for so long? Well, she's the one. It's such a small world isn't it?”

I noticed his lips move, but his words were barely audible.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, turning to face me. “How did you find me? And, who is he?”

“This is my son, Malcolm.” I said, ruffling his hair. “And, I'm here to see his father.”

“His father?” she asked, narrowing her gaze at the words. “It seems you're mistaken sis; you've made the wrong stop.”

“I am sure he's in a better position to answer that.” I said, holding him firmly in my gaze. “Have I really made the wrong stop?”