“That’s nice, honey. So, what was on the test?”
He shrugs. “I can’t remember anymore.”
He moves out of my grasp and starts jumping on the bed. “Mommy, let’s have a pillow fight,” he says with a giggle.
I give him a warm smile, happy that his mood has improved. I suppose now is as good a time as any to talk to him about Michael. It’s been a few days and I can’t really expect the man to wait forever.
“Baby, sit down for a minute,” I tell him. He does so immediately. I pinch his cute chubby cheeks and ruffle his hair. "What I’m about to talk to you about might be a little confusing…”
His hazel green eyes stare at me, unblinking. It looks like he’s paying attention, so I continue.
“You remember how you asked me a few weeks ago why you didn’t have a daddy like the other kids?”
He nods. “Yes. All my friends have daddies. Yesterday, Mario told me about his daddy taking him to an arcade. I wanna go to an arcade, Mama. There are fun games there. Like car races and ninja games as well. It’ll be fun.”
“Noah,” I prompt gently, reminding him that we’re having a conversation.
“Sorry, Mama. I’m listening.”
“Good boy,” I say, taking his smaller hands in mine. They’re so soft. “How would you feel if you met your daddy?"
He shrugs. “I don’t know. I would be happy, I guess. As long as he takes me to an arcade.”
I facepalm before smiling. “Sweetheart, the arcade isn’t important right now.”
He blinks. “It is to me.”
“Noah, I need you to hear me on this, okay? You have a daddy, too, just like every other kid. And he really wants to meet you.”
“Really? Where is he?”
“Well, when you were born, your daddy had to go somewhere far away, so he couldn’t come with us to LA. Now that we’re back here in Arcola, he wants to be a part of your life. He already cares about you a lot and I know you’ll like him too.”
It isn’t until I’m done speaking that I notice his eyes have glazed over.
“Noah,” I say gently, waving my hand in front of his face. “Did you hear what I said.”
“Something about my dad and living far away,” he says with a bashful smile. “Sorry, Mama. I wasn’t listening.”
“It’s okay. At least you know that your father exists,” I say, choosing to accept that win for now. ”Should I read to you now?”
He nods eagerly.
I grab the book from the bedside table and he directs me to the page where he stopped. He hasn’t being able to read much of it, but at least he’s making an effort. I start reading and soon enough, we’re both immersed in the wonderful world of his storybook.
Once Noah’s asleep, I creep into my room. I find a text waiting for me on my phone.
What medicine does Noah take?
It’s from Michael, and my heart speeds up as I read it. He must have done research on ADHD in kids. That’s really thoughtful of him. I’m just about to reply when my phone lights up with another text.
There’s a lot to take in with regard to ADHD.
I smile before replying.
He uses a drug called methylphenidate. One pill a day to help him concentrate at school and keep him calm. And you’re right, there is a lot to take in. It’s amazing that you’re trying.
I wait for a follow-up text from him but it doesn’t come. At least not before I fall asleep.