Chapter 15
Aiden
I close my eyes asher hand reaches for mine, and it calms me down. Why am I so nervous? It's not like I'm meeting the president. I doubt they are going to ask a million questions like an interrogation or anything. Right?
A young girl approaches the reservations desk, "what's the name?"
"Last name is Kaser. Should be party of four. We are a little early," I reply.
She checks the computer, and nods. "It looks like they are already seated. Follow me."
I take her hand again, and follow the young lady until I see a couple that looks like they have money. The man is dressed in a business suit and she in a fancy dress with diamonds around her neck. Hazel is right, they must be loaded.
"Good afternoon," Hazel says, sitting down in the chair across from the woman.
I sit in silence for a moment, not sure of what to say, it's not like I know these people. Hazel seems okay, talking away. They asked if she graduated from Harvard and how things are going, and were pleased to hear that she is working with a firm now.
"We had a good feeling you would push yourself to finish. We are proud of you."
Hazel becomes silent, looks over at me, and raises an eyebrow. "Aiden is a firefighter, runs in the family actually. All the Jackson's are."
"How rude of me. You probably don't even know our names. I'm Mitchell and she's Veronica," the man says, extending his hand.
"Aiden," I reply, shaking his head.
They both kind of watch me during lunch, and not in a pleasant way. Almost to the point where it did feel like their intention was to interrogate us after all. Hazel and Angelica continue talking about her career, while I look over the menu to appear busy. Hazel isn't kidding about the prices, and this isn't the sort of place I would normally come to if by myself. An appetizer is over thirty bucks, and that's ridiculous. I go to the drink section, and get a beer, just to lighten the nerves.
"I'll be your waitress this afternoon. What can I get you to drink?"
I order my beer and Hazel a glass of wine. Mitchell and Veronica order a glass of wine also. Good thing, too, because I didn't think about it being early in the afternoon and wanting a drink. If they didn't, it might make me look like a drunk.
"So, let's get down to business for a second. We got Aiden's letter and wanted to reach out. With it being a closed adoption, we didn't want to make matters worse for you, Hazel. Mitchell wondered if reaching out to you might upset you. Then we got the letter, and we were happy to hear from either of you," Veronica says.
Does this mean she has thought of letting us see him before? Why didn't they reach out?
"So, you aren't against us meeting Jake?" Hazel asks.
"Things are important in a child's life and knowing that he wasn't abandoned and adopted by us is a big thing to consider. He should get to know his birth parents, and the fact that you guys want to be in his life makes it all the better."
I scratch my head, overwhelmed by this, and the fact I could have met my son years ago, yet there's no time to focus on that. They are going to let us be in his life.
"When can we meet him?" I ask.
Our drinks arrive, and the waitress interrupts our conversation to take our order.
"Let's talk about arrangements. We would like to start off small, so we don't overwhelm him. We were thinking once a year for now, possibly more often down the line, but we would send pictures to you. We don't want him to be confused, you know," Mitchell says, looking over at his wife, like he's seeking approval.
I want to speak up and be stingy, but once a year is better than never. We need to take what we can get right now.
"Whatever you want. Hazel and I want to meet him, see how he's doing, and get to know him. Things didn't work out when we were younger, but we want him to know we are here for him."
The conversation turns into them wanting to know more about my profession, and why I chose to be a firefighter. Of course, my grandfather comes up, and the fact that since him all the men in my family have taken on the job without any regrets. I take this opportunity to ask what they do, and the answer is not what I expected. Mitchell is one of the highest regarded Defense Attorneys in Massachusetts and Veronica is the CFO of a cosmetics company. Our little boy surely has everything he wants and then some. A lot more than we could provide.
We sit around and talk about Jake over lunch, and they say he's getting straight A's and plays in little league. He seems to enjoy sports right now, and they are happy to see him get out and be active. How I wish I can attend his games and cheer him on.
Lunch is a success in my book, because I will finally get to meet my son. Mitchell and Veronica seem to be nice, and love our son like their own. They have provided a great life for him.
"So, would you guys like to meet him today?" Veronica asks.