Chapter 19: The Man Who Keeps Showing Up
The late afternoon sun cast a soft golden hue over the small town, stretching long shadows across the sidewalk as Arielle walked Liam home from preschool. His tiny hand was warm in hers, swinging freely.
"Mommy?"
She looked down. "Yes, baby?"
"Why does that man come so much?"
Arielle blinked. Her breath caught for a moment.
"Which man?"
"The one with the dark coat. The one who gave me the dino and the balloon," Liam said with curiosity. "He was outside again today. He waved."
Arielle hesitated. "He's just... someone I used to know."
Liam's brow furrowed. "Does he like you?"
She smiled weakly. "Maybe. I don't know."
"What's his name?"
Arielle paused. "Leonard."
Liam repeated it slowly, "Le-o-nard."
Then, as quickly as the questions came, he let it go and skipped ahead, humming as he followed a trail of ants along the sidewalk.
But Arielle's heart was far from calm.
---
Later that evening, Leonard stood across the street, just outside Hearts & Threads. He didn't come close. He never did unless invited.
He just... stayed.
He saw Arielle step outside to water the potted flowers lining the boutique window. Liam was inside, visible through the glass, stacking toy blocks with a quiet determination.
Then, Ethan walked into the frame.
Leonard stiffened.
Ethan reached for something on a shelf, then helped Liam with his blocks. Liam beamed up at him. A moment later, Arielle turned, laughing at something Ethan said.
Leonard couldn't hear the words. But he felt them.
His chest tightened.
Was that the man Arielle was with now?
Was he raising his son?
Leonard turned and walked back to his car, his hands buried in his coat pockets.
---
Inside the shop, Ethan glanced at Arielle.
"You okay?"
She nodded, though her eyes flickered toward the window. "Just... tired."
Ethan didn't push. He never did. That's what made it harder. He was kind. Steady. Safe.
And yet...
Every day, Leonard showed up. Never forcing her to talk. Never demanding anything. Just leaving small things behind — a juice box for Liam, a pack of crayons, a book Arielle mentioned once five years ago.
---
That night, after Liam had fallen asleep with his new coloring book clutched in his arms, Arielle stood alone on the porch.
The wind was light. The stars were faint.
Leonard's silhouette crossed her mind again.
He didn't say a word that day. But his presence said everything.
I'm here.
He hadn't said it aloud.
But she felt it anyway.
---
The next morning, Liam sat on the front steps with a piece of toast in his hand, legs swinging. Arielle sat beside him, quietly watching him.
"Mommy," he said suddenly, "I think that man likes us."
Arielle blinked. "What makes you say that?"
"He keeps coming back."
She swallowed the lump in her throat.
"But he doesn't say much," Liam added.
"No, he doesn't," Arielle whispered.
"Is he your friend?"
Arielle looked at her son. "I don't know yet."
Liam nodded like it made perfect sense, then offered her the last bite of his toast.
---
That afternoon, Leonard returned again. This time, he stood outside with a wrapped children's book under his arm.
Arielle opened the door before he could knock.
"Hi," she said.
"Hi," he echoed.
She stepped aside slightly. "Do you want to come in?"
Leonard looked surprised. "Only if you're okay with it."
She gave a single, small nod.
Inside, Liam looked up from his coloring and grinned. "Hey! It's you again!"
Leonard smiled gently. "Hey, buddy."
He sat down carefully across from him, keeping a respectful distance.
"I brought something," Leonard said, holding out the wrapped book.
Liam unwrapped it excitedly. "Oh! It's about dinosaurs!"
Leonard chuckled. "Thought you'd like that."
Arielle watched them from the kitchen, her hands trembling slightly.
She saw the way Leonard leaned in when Liam spoke. The patience in his eyes. The softness in his smile. Not forced — real.
This isn't what she expected from him.
Not after everything he'd said.
Not after how he'd left her.
But here he was — coming back without promises. Just actions.
And that terrified her even more than the past.
---
When Leonard finally stood to leave, Liam tugged on his coat.
"Will you come again tomorrow?"
Leonard knelt down. "If your mom says it's okay."
Liam looked up at her.
Arielle hesitated.
Then she whispered, "Yes."
Leonard smiled.
He didn't say thank you. He didn't need to.
She saw it in his eyes — the same eyes Liam had.
---
Later, as Arielle tucked Liam into bed, he looked up at her sleepily.
"Mommy?"
"Yes?"
"Is Leonard... our friend?"
Arielle paused.
"Yes," she whispered. "He's... trying to be."
Liam yawned. "He's nice. I like him."
She ran her fingers through his hair and kissed his forehead.
"I know, baby."
---
And after he fell asleep, Arielle walked back out to the porch, where the night air was cool and quiet.
She looked out into the dark street, where there was no one this time.
But her heart still whispered back:
"I'm not ready to tell him."
"He's not yours… not yet."
---
End of Chapter 19