Chapter 45
999words
"What?" I was shell-shocked, "You've got to be kidding me, Mr. Collinwood."
"No. I'm not kidding you."
"After everything I've done? After all this time?! Why now and not the moment I came back from Paris?"
"Don't make this more difficult, Blossom!"
"More difficult, my ass! You're an unfair person and you will get your karma for this! I don't deserve this!"
"I don't give a damn what you deserve. You're fired. Goodbye."
Blossom's POV
"Jason, put that back. You can't have that toy today. It's too expensive."
I watched as he placed the Power Ranger figure back on the counter with a sad expression lingering on his face.
I scanned my purse, counting a few loose change just to make sure I had enough money to get him a different toy.
"Baby, you can have the stuff teddy bear," I said, hoping he'll smile.
"I already got a stuff teddy bear. I want the Power Ranger. It's the advance one. It moves, lights up and talks," he responded.
"Jason, it's one hundred and fifty dollars," I told him in a low tone. The Power Ranger was almost as tall as Jason and it was red. Red was his favorite color.
"Okay mommy, I understand."
I held his hand as we exited the mall. I was feeling like a bad parent. I couldn't afford a toy my child wanted because I was budgeting my last pay check Mr. Collinwood handed me after he told me I was fired.
Jason and I headed for the bus stop.
"Blossom? Blossom Wright, is that you?" a young lady asked from her BMW as it came to a halt. She removed her sunglasses and I couldn't believe my eyes.
"Nina?!"
"Get in! Get in! I'll take you wherever you wanna go," she invited.
"Of course," I beamed. I ushered Jason into the back seat, secured him with the seatbelt and closed the door. Then I got in the front passenger seat.
_____
"It's been ages! I thought I was never going to see you again. How are you doing?" Nina asked as she drove on.
"I'm going just great. I really can't complain," I lied and I knew Nina caught wind of that. She quickly glance at me then returned her attention to the road ahead.
I directed her to my apartment and invited her in for catching up sake.
"Is that your son?" she asked. She watched as Jason colour in his colouring book on the table across from us.
"He is. That's Jason."
"He's so handsome. Where's his father, if you don't mind me asking."
"That ship sailed a long time ago."
"Oh, you mean Jevan isn't the father? Because Jason's eyes and his face reminds me of Jevan," she said as she observed.
Jason wasn't wearing his usual sunglasses or colour contact lenses. I was grateful we didn't run into Jevan instead.
"Look, Nina, things aren't like they were back in high school. Jevan changed. I changed."
"Does he know, about Jason?"
"Yes. He met Jason."
"But does he know it's his kid?"
I shook my head no. Nina was not pleased.
"Blossom, why the hell would you pretend he's not the father?"
"Because I can support my child on my own. I don't need Jevan to waltz in and save the day. Besides, he got a fiancée and he's planning his wedding."
"Oh, so you're mad at Jevan because he moved on so you figured you'll deprive him of his own son. Girl, are you crazy? You can't hide something like this from Jevan. He has a right to know and wait until Jason starts asking about his father."
"He does," I said.
"Blossom, are you sure you're okay?"
"No. Actually, I'm not. I lost the man that desperately loved and I lost my job. I'm not getting by. I can't even afford to buy my child an advanced Power Ranger toy at the mall." Tears slipped from my eyes.
Nina pulled me in for a hug. When I gathered myself, she spoke again.
"Tell you what, Sophia and I started an interior design and decoration company. Not to brag, but it's doing really great. Just last week, we decorated a living room and master bedroom for a well known celebrity. We're in need of an office assistant. Someone to schedule appointments, answer the phone, keep records and so. Are you interested?"
"What, me?"
"Yes you."
"But... But... But."
"No more buts. You'll be perfect for the job. And it would be like old times. You, me and Sophia. She'll be so delighted when she sees you."
We did a silly squeal and she informed me that I'll be starting the following week.
______________
Several hours after Nina left, a knock came to the door.
"Who is it?" I asked.
"Delivery guy. I have a package for a Miss. Blossom Wright."
"I didn't order anything," I spoke from the other side of the door.
"Look, lady. I got other packages to deliver. Are you going to open the door and sign for this or not? I'm getting paid either way!"
I slowly opened the door. The buff guy handed me the package and I quickly signed. He left and I closed the door behind me.
I walked into the living room, peeling the wrapper off the package.
"What is it mommy?" Jason asked as it caught his attention.
"I have no idea."
I grasped when I saw the box.
It was the Power Ranger from the mall.
"It's the Power Ranger! Thank you so much mommy. I knew you would have gotten it for me."
"You're welcome, but I can't take the credit for this. Nina must have done this," I told him.
"Tell aunty Nina I said thanks," he said with a cheery smile. I picked him up and ruffled him with kisses as he squirms and squealed like a girl.
