Page 26 of Until Forever
While still staring at me, she tugs him close. “Pancakes? It’s seven at night. We need dinner.” She finally peels her eyes from me and glances down at him.
“IHOP has pancakes all day, Mom.”
“I know that, but pancakes are for the morning.” She points her gaze between the two of us.
“Nope. We always have pancakes before you go on your long breaks. It’s not my fault you switched with Mrs. Harmony and got off late.”
She and I both laugh.
“Mr. Jasper, thank you for the two dollars.” He takes my hand and shakes it. “You wanna come to IHOP with us?” he asks, now back at his mother’s side.
“Um,” Latoya and I say in unison.
“Baby, I’m sure Mr. Jasper is busy.” She tucks her hair behind her ear and squats to his level.
“Actually, I’m not,” I manage to get out.
JJ tips his chin to her. “See, Mom, now can we go?” He starts down the hall. “Before they run out of chocolate chips like they did last time.” He’s midway to the elevator when he stops and looks over his shoulder at us.
Latoya is back on her feet now, staring between him and me, panic covering her features. Without a word, she runs to gather her things from behind the nurses’ counter and awkwardly strolls toward us.
JJ is at the lift, his finger on the call button. The moment Latoya is within arm’s reach, he pushes it, skipping into the steel box as soon as the doors open. She joins him, and then I follow. As the elevator descends, I suck in a breath and wipe my palms on my jeans while trying to wrap my mind around the fact that this is my son.
CHAPTER SEVEN
JASPER
“Mom saysthat DC Comics is better, but I think Marvel is the best,” JJ says, then stuffs a wedge of chocolate chip pancakes into his mouth.
My son.
It’s only been about an hour since I’ve learned I have a kid but I can’t stop reciting those two little words in my head.
I have a kid and a smart one at that.
“I’d agree with you, buddy.” I nod and take a sip of coffee.
Latoya rolls her eyes, turning away to hide the smile creeping up on her face. She and JJ are on the opposite side of the table with him tucked securely on the inside.
“Who’s your favorite character?” I tip my chin at him and let my eyes focus on the picture he’s drawing in between bites of food.
“Black Panther, he’s really cool, and Mom promised I could have a Black Panther party this year.”
“Hey, you never told me how old you were.” I give him a playful glare.
He breathes in. “Oh, yeah. I’m seven.”
“When is your birthday?” I ask and settle into my seat.
“September seventh.”
I swallow the lump in my throat, lean forward with my arms on the table, and hide my reaction behind my mug. “Black Panther party, eh? Sounds like it’s going to be amazing.” I gulp down the coffee, the lukewarm liquid tasting bitter.
“It is. I’m so ready.” JJ props up on his elbow too quickly, sending eggs flying across the room. “Oops.”
My mouth gapes open as I follow the food, waiting and anticipating where it’ll land. When it splatters, it misses a man’s shoe by a hair. I think he’s going to look my way, so I snap my gaze straight, catching a glimpse of JJ in a mock expression with wide eyes and chin to his chest. Latoya gasps, this time drawing the man’s attention to our table. The three of us simultaneously zip our spines straight, each holding in a laugh until we can’t any longer.
My laughter comes out in short bursts while I hide my face with my hand. Latoya tries to remain the mature one of the bunch, but when JJ’s chuckle comes full force, she caves and turns slightly toward our son.
