37

Layla

Nathan, out of the blue, grew dull and fell ill. He wouldn't even take a bite of his favorite peanut butter sandwich, and he became averse to ice cream.

On Saturday, the day Henry and I were supposed to attend the wedding at the Chapel, his health worsened, and I was forced to take him to the hospital. The doctor put him on the drip as he lay on the hospital bed, his glum face staring into nothingness. He was awfully quiet and it made me uneasy.

"Hey..." Henry came in, stroking my back as I clutched Nathan's hands.

"Are you okay?" He was worried.

I nodded. I was grateful I always had him to lean on. He kissed my forehead, brushing back my hair affectionately.

"It's going to be fine," he assured me. "Nathan's a strong boy. Aren't you Nathan?" He smiled at Nathan.

But Nathan wouldn't budge or say a word. I feared he must have become irrevocably reticent about the way he had been behaving since he fell ill.

The doctor had said that we should not pressure him to talk or do anything, and I could remember that he had acted the same way after he had returned from the field trip the other day.

Now, the link between these two situations was Leo Cooper. He had met Leo these two times and had reclined into an absurd box of quietness. I mustn't let him continue to meet Leo if I don't want this to happen ever again.

Whatever Leo might have said had to be washed away from his head.

I didn't want them to be in contact ever again.

"What would you like to eat?" He asked me.

"Mummy?" Nathan spoke before I could reply to Henry.

"Yes, my dear." I was ready to listen to him.

"Bring him to me..." He muttered.

"Who, my love?"

"Leo, my friend," he softly said, his blue eyes were dull, and it made me sad.

I wasn't sure of what to say to him.

I glanced at Henry.

"If it's going to make him better..." He said solemnly.

"But I don't want him around Nathan..."

"It's what Nathan wants. I want him to recover as soon as possible." Henry said.

He's so understanding...

Why on earth would Nathan's very first speech after he fell ill be about Leo? I couldn't comprehend what was going on.

"Nathan, don't you want anyone else? Does it have to be Leo?" I inquired.

I wanted to hesitate, but Nathan was more persistent. He nodded carefully.

Then I knew I was caught up in a dilemma.

"I'll give him a call," Henry said and stepped aside. I knew he was only doing this because of Nathan. I wondered how he would feel if he ever came to know that Leo and I were once in a relationship. That should never happen, he should never come to know, or it would be disastrous and more awkward.

"Will you have breakfast now? Uncle Henry will get Leo over here, all right? You have to eat, and then you will have the strength to play with him." I suggested.

He shook his head in disapproval, quite adamant. I gave up. Perhaps he would have something when Leo showed up.

The room had suddenly become hot, and it was difficult for me to breathe. I had not felt this way in a very long time. I was restless.

"...and there you go." Nathan swallowed the last spoonful of oats and I immediately felt revealed.

He smiled as Leo placed the empty bowl on the bedside table.

"Thanks," Henry said coolly as he helped Nathan lie back down.

Leo nodded, staring at me. He twitched a small smile, not taking his eyes off me. I didn't know how to appreciate him, though I felt grateful.

"Are you good?" Henry turned to Nathan.

"Yes!" He sounded as excited as ever. Leo had done the magic. I kept mute regardless.

Henry nodded quietly. "I want to make a call, I'll be right back." He said, kissing me briefly on the lips.

I swallowed. I flushed. He walked out of the ward. I didn't even dare look in Leo's direction.

Leo

I felt a rush of jealousy within me. So they were really what I had taken them to be. Wow. I bit my tongue, watching how quickly her face reddened within seconds of their kiss.

"Ahem..." She cleared her throat. I couldn't take my eyes off her. I felt like I was paralyzed by her presence, she was still looking so young and pretty, I could hardly believe she was the same woman I had been with about ten years ago.

Likewise, I wanted to say something, but inwardly I was laboring on every word in order not to misspeak or say something silly. However, she spoke first.

"Thank you." It came soft but forced. I understood, it was weird for me too. I nodded with regard.

"Will you stay here with me please?" Nathan cried, clutching my wrist.

"Nathan, he can't stay here with you. He has a lot of work to do." She tried to explain, but he wouldn't listen. He crossed his arms in defiance, murmuring.

"I'll stay." I chose to say. Layla looked questioningly at me. Her expression read, 'what the fuck!"

"No, no...you can't stay here." She instantly objected.

"But why? Nathan wants me here."

"Whatever...you should know he's just a child." She whispered.

"But..."

"Henry and I are here for him." She defended. "We are here for you, Nathan." She turned to her son. He had already worn a frown on his face, pouting audaciously.

"I can stay."

"Leo..."

"I want to."

She was shocked. She stared at me for a moment and urged us to have a word outside.

"Come back soon..." Nathan's voice trailed behind us.

"Why the hell did you say that?" She restrained a yell.

"I'm only doing it to make him recover quickly." I tried to justify myself.

"Henry and I can take good care of him. By the way, what have you told him to make him always want you?"

"You think I brainwashed him or something?" I was surprised she said that.

"Apparently. I don't appreciate it," she said firmly.

I nodded to myself.

"I know you don't want me around you, but I really can't help with Nathan's situation..."

"What situation? You think he can't live without you or what?"

"I didn't mean that..."

"What then did you mean? Tell me. I don't appreciate how you just appeared out of the blue and waltzed into our lives..."

"It's clear. I know that."

"Good." She grimaced. "So please don't engage in further attachment with Nathan. It's for the best."

"Yeah..." That was all I could say.

"Thank you." She said, walking back inside the ward. It wasn't going to be the same. I didn't expect that, but it was far more than not being the same.