This is Ch. 3 of Clara and her wayward son, Tommy.
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As we left our room, we went downstairs to have dinner. Holding his hand, I did feel safe with him. Just wanting our old life back, I was, reluctantly acceptant of how he was treating me. I did not like it, but it was the only way I could be around him.
After cleaning up, Tyler dressed down, nicely. He wore a button down shirt I bought him and a pair of slacks.
"Good evening, welcome to Ritzy's. Just the 2 of you, tonight?" Welcoming us to the in-hotel restaurant, we were greeted by the host.
"Yes, just my son and I," I claimed, softly.
Taking us to our table, my cell phone buzzed.
"May I take this call honey? It's my husband. He's also on a business trip," I'd asked.
"Why are you asking? You didn't listen to me when I told you not to marry him," the indifference in his voice, stark.
"Tyler... pl..."
"BUZZ! BUZZ!!
Picking up, I began to speak.
"Hi honey, Shelley and I just sat down to eat," I lied, as Tylers' hand sat on my leg. "We have meetings all day tomorrow, so we wanted to get an early shut-eye." Softly tracing along my inner thigh, Tyler was trying to distract me.
Seductively smiling, I put my hand on top of his and continued speaking. "I called home and checked on the girls. I guess they're driving your sister crazy."
Chuckling through the phone, he said he could only imagine. Continuing our conversation, I looked at my son. Trying to gauge his thought process, I decided, tomorrow to pose the question I wanted, to Roger. Seeing the server walking to us, I ended the call.
"Honey, the server is here, We need to give them our orders, I'll talk to you later." Usually telling him 'I love you', I didn't say it this time. Pressing 'end call', I put my phone away.
After we ordered our food, I just sat there looking at my son. Traipsing my nails delicately along his neck and hair, I also kissed his neck and face, trying to get any response. Ultimately, I decided to break the silence.
"Honey," I began, probing the situation. "We need to work this out. Please." The begging in my voice, apparent.
"I have nothing to say, Clara. Drop it," he said, barely above a whisper.
"So this is just purely sexual for you then, I take it," I posed, questioningly.
Agitated, Tyler, in a low, but serious tone reminded me, "It was you, who contacted me; It was you, who begged me; It was you who used infidelity, now, twice. So yes, It's JUST about sex. YOU wanted this."
"Tyler," I followed, as the ache in my heart persisted, "What happens if I did divorce him. Then what? Do we just go back to normal?
As he sat there listening to me, he had an indifference to him. Seemingly not caring about my please, he showed a blank look.
Continuing, I added, "I know I've hurt you, us. But the way you treat me now, is unfathomable."
Angrily slamming his hand on the table, eliciting glances from the other patrons, he bellowed. "You make this about me? You fucking married someone else after we had a child. YOU ruined us, not me. So before you push this on me... MOM... look in the mirror!"
Emphasizing the word mom, I guiltily scanned the restaurant. Suddenly interrupted, we hear another voice making it's presence.
"Clara," I hear.
Seeing that it was my Assistant, Shelly, I became self-conscious. Shelly had known I was having an affair on my husband, but she didn't know who the person was.
"Shelly. Oh. hey...hey," I stuttered.
I'm sorry to interrupt you. I was eating over there with some others and heard commotion here. That's when I noticed you. Looking like the cat that ate the canary, her look turned to wonder. The look on her face, told me she everything.
"And who do I have the honor of introducing myself?" Looking, intruguingly, at my son.
Speaking up, I figured it was time to he honest to her. "Shel, this is my son Tyler. Tyler, honey, this is my assistant, Shelly Marks."
Brushing her off, Tyler went back to his drink set forth before him.
"Since I'm here, Clara, can I have a quick word about tomorrow's meetings? It will only take a minute," she said, seeking Tyler's approval.
Not receiving a response, I just said, "Sweetie, I'll be right back." Leaving my purse and shaul behind, I joined Sherry.
Stopping a few feet away, I could see the antipathy clearly, on her face.
"Your son? Clara, Is he the one you've been seeing in that motel," she quipped, intrigued curiosity on her face.
Ashamed, I nodded. "Yes," was all I could say.
Doing math in her head, she made another astute observation. Putting her hand over her mouth, surprised she said, "So your daughter..."
"Both," I interrupted. Looking away, ashamed, I was concerned about our professional relationship, now.
"Wow," Shelley added. "No wonder you are so stressed.
"Not stressed, "I said, barely above a whisper. "He fucks the stress out of me," a hapless smile, on my face.
Putting her hand on mine, she said, "Hey. You're secret is safe with me." The reassurance, noted. "He must be good, to wear you out."
"We've only been here 3 hours and..."
"Mom," The voice powetfully called out. "Get over here!"
"Quickly, I excused myself "I gotta go, remember...," I began, before Shelly interrupted.
"Only if it's an emergency!" She orated, winking at me.
When she left, I rejoined my son.
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After eating, I asked Tyler if we could go on a walk. Since it was nice out, even at 8:30, I wasn't going to give up. Holding his hand, fingers interlocked, we walked along the riverfront.
"I can see our room from here," Pointing up to the building. "It's the only one with the drape still open." Trying to make humor, I wasn't succeeding well. After a while, I released his hand and stood in front of him.
Wrapping my hands around his neck, I stood on my tiptoes, even in my heels, and kissed him.
"Baby, please," I voiced, looking him in his eyes. "I'm going to tell Roger I want you living with us. Please. Come back to me. Please understand why I did what I did."
Still not receiving a response, I continued. "I want another baby... from you. You can live in the cottage behind the house. We can make this work."
Hearing me speak, Tyler rubbed his chin. Taking internally what I was saying, he spoke.
Stern, yet pointedly, he quipped, "So you want me to move in with you guys?" As I nodded, he continued. "I live in the cottage, and you and I continue what we've been doing.?"
"With love, yes. Not anger," I added.