The Weight Of One Smile.

ERYN

Torren had offered to take Niko to school today. He finally did a little of what a father’s meant to do.

Niko was so happy, excited even. It was the first time his dad took him to school. Even though Torren had declined his invitation to Parent’s Day, Niko was still over the moon.

On getting to the school, as Torren was moving into the parking lot, I saw Saela.

  She was with a child, a boy. And she was clearly waiting for someone the way she was staring around.

I didn't know she had a child and he was also about the similar age as Niko if I'm not mistaken. 

And if he was Torren’s too… shouldn’t I have known?

I quickly got down and helped Niko out of the car. Torren stepped out too.

“Dad!” a boy’s voice called, and Torren's face swerved in his direction.

The boy ran straight into Torren’s arms.

“We’ve been waiting for you,” he said softly.

 I watched Niko’s face pale as Torren lifted the boy naturally.

  Like it was practiced, like he had done it multiple times.

“Dad?” Niko asked, confused and small.

 “Why did he call you Dad?” His voice trembled, and tears welled in his eyes. He looked between me and Torren, confused and hurt.

I smiled at him, forcing myself to stay calm. I held out my hand for him to hold.

Torren stayed silent for a full minute, like he didn’t know what to say.

“Torren is Asher’s godfather,” Saela explained smoothly. She turned to look at Torren, biting her lip with that pitful look on her face.

When did they have a child? Did Saela leave with Torren’s baby?

Torren glanced at Saela reassuringly but stiffly avoided meeting my eyes, or Niko’s. He didn’t say a word in response to what Saela had just said.

Let them play their game. Just don’t forget to be a father to Niko if they want this divorce to go through.

“How are you feeling, little man?” Torren asked Asher.

 I rolled my eyes silently.

“He’s doing better,” Saela replied. “He insisted on coming to school today. I didn’t expect we’d run into you.”

They smiled at each other. They looked… like a happy family. It was sickening.

“Asher, come down now. Let your uncle hold his son too. Don’t steal his daddy,” she joked.

Niko’s hand squeezed mine tighter.

“Don’t be like that,” Torren said. “Asher’s my son too. He’s weak and he needs me.”

He turned to Niko, then stopped. His face fell.

Niko was crying, silent tears streaming down his cheeks.

“You’re crying? Come on, it was—”

“Something just got into my eyes,” Niko said quickly, turning to me.

 “Mommy, can you check?”

My heart shattered. He was hiding it, trying to stay strong. Too strong for a little boy.

“Sure,” I knelt down, wiping his cheeks. “And this is Aunt Saela, your daddy’s classmate and a very good friend,” I added gently.

Niko nodded and greeted politely.

 “Nice to meet you.”

“Good to see you too! It’s Parent’s Day today. Why don’t you join us, Torren?” Saela asked.

He accepted right away. My jaw dropped.

“I thought…” Niko whispered, clutching his bag.

I know, baby. You thought he was too busy.

 Guess he isn't so busy now.

*

  Parent's day had been going smoothly with I and Niko seeming like the third and fourth wheel every time.

 I kept glancing at the clock, waiting for the toy auction to end so we could leave.

“Mum, Dad, I want that toy,” Niko said, pointing at a toy gun.

“You do? Alright, I’ll bid for it,” I said, smoothing his hair. His eyes lit up.

“Thanks, Mom. Thank you so much.”

I got up with Torren and filled in the bid at the register.

 We just had to write down the toy name and bid silently.

Later, they announced the highest bidder. Torren.

 Finally, he did something that mattered for Niko.

Torren received it and walked back to our seat while Niko stood up eagerly to receive it from him.

“Mom, Dad got it for me!” He beamed, proud and happy.

“Yes, yes he did.”

But just then, Asher ran over.

And like the world paused, Torren handed the toy to him.

My hand shot out, grabbing his wrist.

“Didn’t you get that for Niko?” I asked, eyebrows raised.

Torren flinched, glanced around, then gave that dismissive sigh that made me want to slap him.

“No.”

“What? Niko wanted that,” I snapped.

“Niko can get another one. Saela texted me that Asher really wanted it.”

Of course. Saela again.

“You heard Niko say he wanted that. You got it for him. Now you're giving it to your mistress’s son?”

I lowered my voice, leaning in.

“At least show some decency, not in front of the kid.”

He shoved my hand away and handed the gift to Asher anyway.

“Torren—”

A small hand tugged on my shirt. I looked down at Niko. He was forcing a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

“Mom, it’s okay. I didn’t really like it that much,” he whispered.

He was covering it up. My heart cracked.

Then suddenly, a voice echoed through the mindlink. Faint, distant, but familiar. I stopped talking and listened.

“I finally found you, Eryn.”

My eyes widened. I turned around, searching for a face I hadn’t seen in over a decade.