Should I Stay or Leave? novel Chapter 34

"Really, Ed? Thank you so much! The $4 means a lot to me."

"If the diner is earning more, then I could have increased more than that, and if you have the papers, then I would suggest you go and look for high-paying jobs. But this is the best that I could do to help you."

"Hiring me when I thought no one will is already a big help to me, Ed. And now this increment, I can't thank you enough."

"Do me a favor and please eat properly and stop walking. Get a subway ticket. Don't overwork yourself. Kai needs you if you get sick; what will happen to him."

I only nodded because I almost wanted to cry. Ed was like an understanding dad who takes care of his kids.

"Now, it's 07:30 AM. Get yourself out of here and go to your son."

"I will see you tomorrow, Ed. Thank you and goodbye!"

"Goodbye, Kamiah! Kiss Kai for me."

"I will!"

For the first, I went to the subway station and bought a ticket. And not even five minutes I reached home. Kai was already awake and watching TV.

I cooked his bolognese pasta. I am happy today, so this will be our simple celebration.

"Do you know what, buddy?" I said.

Kai only smiled and said, "Momma! Momma!"

"Yes, mommy got an increased today. And because of that, we will eat your favorite. Yay!"

Kai laughed. It's all I need to keep me going, my son's smile. It makes me feel I have a sense of purpose, and whatever hardship I am going through, it is all worth it.

We played, we sang nursery rhymes, and we watched cartoons. By 03:00 PM, Kai fell asleep. And so did I.

By 05:00 PM, I suddenly woke up. I thought Kai was awake, but he was still sound asleep. I got used to him waking up so that my body doesn't need to hear him cry. But since he was still sleeping, I went back to sleep.

Kai cried by around 08:00 PM. He woke up late today, which is good for me because I got longer hours of sleep. But I don't like him to be awake at night. I hope he goes to sleep by 10:00 PM.

We were just waiting for Selene to come when Kai grabbed my phone and said, "Daddy! Daddy!" He was smiling, and it broke my heart.

Catrina's eyes brightened, and she asked, "And?"

"I am giving you a chance to show me that it's all worthy of me being here with you. At some point, I don't think Kamiah wants me, but it doesn't mean I have given up on her. I will when she tells me that she doesn't want me. It lso means my heart is still not entirely yours. I am doing this for my daughter, especially that I miss my son being around."

"That is fine. That is a start. I am sure you will find that we are your best choice, Acwell."

"I will be coming here after work to spend two or three hours with Amara. And to see if we can go a day without fighting."

"Why won't you stay here with us?"

"I still can't. If there is a small chance of Kamiah taking me back, I don't want to ruin it by being here."

Catrina paused because it hurts her to hear that.

"But if there is no way for Kamiah and me to be together, I might consider being with you."

Catrina's face brightened. She had been hoping for that for a long time, and maybe this is really the start.