CHAPTER THREE — A LONG DAY.

Chapter Three.

A LONG DAY.

Valerie's POV.

“Oh, please don't give me that look.” I said, ambling towards the couch. “I have had a rough day and the last thing I want would be to exchange words with you.”

“Really? Tell me, why shouldn't I give you this look, huh? Tell me.” Nora said, her voice almost rising to a scream. “I thought you said you only wanted to step out for a moment and that it wouldn't take long, or isn't that what you said? But look at the time you're returning. Or haven't you checked the time yet?”

“Look Nora, I'm not in the mood for all these right now.” I said, settling on the couch as I swept a strand of hair behind my ear. “Like I said, I've had enough for today already.”

“I don't think you have yet.” she said, shaking her head as the words left her lips. “Do you think I'm in the mood to babysit anyone? If anything, I've had more than you did today babysitting your child.”

“For goodness’ sake! You aren't babysitting him. Malcolm isn't a baby.” I said, using a measured tone. “I don't think he will trouble to you like a two-year-old would. I mean, he's old enough to do things on his own and keep himself company.”

“Oh, right! I forgot that he's old enough to do things on his own and even keep himself company.” she said, with a hint of sarcasm edging her lips. “Now, do yourself some good and take a look around. Just look at how he decided to keep himself company and tell me if taking care of him isn't synonymous to babysitting.”

As I swept my eyes all over the room, especially behind me, I let out an incredulous scoff, blinking my eyes rapidly in confusion. I'd told him countless times that he had to put back in place whatever items he used to play. But looking around now, his toys were littered all over the place, and he even went as far as tearing some pieces of paper. Heaving a rather depressing sigh, I returned my attention to Nora, who glanced at me with a raised brow.

“Aren't you going to say anything?” she asked, with a shrug of her shoulder. “Or does it look good to you?”

“I am sorry. I've warned him several times to keep his toys in place when he's done playing with them, but he wouldn't listen.” I said, with an apologetic look in my eyes. “However, I will scold him a little so that he won't make a mess of the house again.”

“You will scold him a little?” she asked, sounding as if she expected more from me. “And how is that going to be of help? If you scold him a little as you've said, it won't make him realize that what he did is wrong. If anything, he will keep at it.”

“Then what would you have me do?” I asked, with a shrug of my shoulder. “You know how fragile he is. He sobs whenever he is yelled at. And you know better that he doesn't stop crying until after a few hours. I do want him to change; but, what I don't want it is for him to bring down the house with his noise while crying.”

“Look, I am not angry with you.” she said, taking my hands in hers as she settled on the couch. “I am only saying that Malcolm wouldn't stop being a kid if you don't help him understand that what he's doing is wrong. It'll be a lot worse if he should grow up in this way. And when that time comes, it will be more difficult for you to correct him. I've also tried to correct him a few times. But, it seems like he only listens to you and that is why I'm talking to you right now, so that you'll talk some sense into him. This isn't me complaining because it's my house. If anything, you're like a sister to me. Likewise, he's like a son to me.”

“I understand, Nora.” I said, with a subtle nod of my head and a knowing look in my eyes. “I will talk to him first thing tomorrow morning. Now that I think about it, he needs to start acting his age because he'll turn twelve by Friday.”

“Really?” she gasped, her hands flying to cover her mouth. “So soon? I mean, I could remember when you brought him here the first time, he was still so very little. How time flies. Have you thought about how to celebrate his birthday yet? Or do you need ideas for it? I can help you with that.”

“No, I haven't thought about it yet.” I said, heaving a rather depressing sigh. “I guess I will figure it out somehow.”

“Hey, is there something wrong?” she asked, her voice laced with concern as she angled her body towards me in curiosity. “What happened back there? Did anyone harass or molest you?”

“No, that's not it.” I said, holding a picture of the man I bumped into earlier in mind. “It is just strange.”

“I don't understand, what are you talking about?” she asked, as a look of confusion seemed to mask her face. “What is strange?”

“Why did it take me until now to remember who he is?” I asked, barely breathing the words. “I should have figured it out sooner.”

“You aren't making any sense here, Valerie.” she said, shaking her head as the words seemed to drag themselves from her throat. “Who are you talking about? And, what should you have figured out earlier?”

“I found him after all these years.” I said, with an inward gaze. “The reason why I had to return to this city. He was right in front of me, but I couldn't recognize him. How could I have made that mistake?”

“I am lost here, Valerie.” she said, sounding more confused than she looked. “I have no idea what you're talking about. Who is he? Who did you find? And what mistake did you make?”

“I have been searching my whole life for him.” I said, trying to quell the sob rising in my throat. “It was as if he disappeared into thin air after that night. Although, I knew it was just a moment of pleasure with no strings attached. But, I wouldn't have been searching for him all these years if it wasn't important.”

“Wait a minute,” she said, jerking her head backward as she picked a hint of what I was trying to say. “Don't tell me—”

“It is exactly what you think, Nora.” I said, blinking back tears. “I knew that something wasn't right; he was acting weird. Besides, for him to have called my name, that means he knew me. I should have figured out right there that he was the one I'd been searching for all these years. Fortunately, I listened to my instincts and followed him down to his house.”

“You did what?” she asked, her voice almost rising to a scream. “How could you have done that? You followed a stranger down to his house? What if you had been caught?”

“He is no stranger, Nora.” I said, as a tear trickled down the side of my nose. “He is the father of my child. I lied. I didn't just come here to search for my sister alone, like I told you. The other reason I returned here was to find the father of my son and now that I've found him, I'm going to see him tomorrow.”

“I want to believe that you're joking right now, aren't you?” she asked, her brows taking a quizzical dip.

“Does it look like I am?” I asked, my voice matching the hardness of my gaze. “I am not joking, Nora. Why do you think I'd to secretly follow him to know where he lives? My child needs his father. Besides, I'm not getting any younger and neither can I continue to stay with you here. I need to find my own life.”

“I know, but twelve years? Come on,” she said, with a shrug of her shoulder while sounding as if it was a dead end. “Twelve years is too long. Besides, you said it yourself. You both just had a pleasurable night together and that was it. No strings attached, and I don't expect any to be.”

“What are you trying to insinuate?” I asked, tears tightening my throat.

“And what if he's married?”