Falling Again

5.

The evening is so mesmerizing in the neighborhood. The chill wind along with the smell of petrichor has made the ambiance pleasant. After coming home, Noah went to his room and picked up his basketball. When he made his way towards the door, Charlotte stopped him.

“Where you’re going?”

“To play b-basketball,” he answered.

“Now? It’s going to rain, Noah. Stay at home and don’t go outside,” Charlotte told.

“Mom please, I-I will come inside once it starts to rain,” Noah asked having his puppy eyes.

“Okay, don’t go out of the fence,” she said and Noah ran outside in joy.

Charlotte went upstairs to change her clothes with the feelings she had while driving the car. She didn’t know why today she thinks more about Jaxson. His face is kept coming in her mind.

Noah walked to the sycamore tree carrying his basketball. He got this idea after seeing the basketball hoop on the tree. During the last summer break, Noah watched a basketball game on the television; he became so interested in the game and wanted to try it.

With a happy smile on his face, Noah bounced the ball a few times on the ground before aiming it for the net but he failed. He tried multiple times but he couldn’t put a goal as the hoop is at the height. He pouted feeling that he’s not good enough to do this and stood there without trying.

“Hey kid,” a man’s voice startled him.

Noah turned his head to see the man who he saw in the advertisement an hour before, is now standing in front of him. Unable to believe this, Noah childishly rubbed his eyes whether what he’s seeing is true.

Jaxson after finishing off his work dropped Emanuel at his house.

“For a week, you are free. Don’t drink much and if you want anything call me,” Emanuel told.

“Sure,” Jaxson nodded and the driver drove the car to his house.

While the car getting inside the gates, Jaxson’s eyes noticed the boy coming out of his house. Something inside him urged him to get down, go and talk to that boy. He came out of his house and watched the kid’s attempt to play basketball talking off his glasses. His long black hair kind of reminded himself.

 Folding his hands across his chest Jaxson watched the boy standing beside their fence. His lips curled into a smile. He couldn’t stand there anymore after noticing the apparent sadness in his face so he decided to encourage the kid.

Noah stared at him in a shock and walked near the fence. Jaxson wondered whether the kid knows him?

“Y-You’re that man I saw in the billboard,” Noah told.

“Which one?” Jaxson asked since he comes in four different advertisements.

“The car a-advertisement in the traffic signal.” “My mom said your name i-is… Jaxson,” Noah exclaimed. Seeing the way, he stutters made Jaxson feel bad for the boy but he didn’t show that in his face and stayed cool.

“Yeah, I am Jaxson Marcellus,” he reached his hand. “What is your good name?” he asked.

“I am Noah,” Noah gave his hand for a formal handshake.

“Nice name,” Jaxson complimented.

“Thanks. Are you an a-actor?” “And what happened to your face. Did someone hit you?” he asked worriedly seeing the light scars.

“No I am not an actor and I am a professional boxer. These scars I got in yesterday match.”

“Is it?” Noah surprised.

“Yes, do you know what’s boxing?”

“Yeah, I know. My mom told me a-about that. Two people threw punches at each other and who’s strong will win.” “Is it too t-tough to play those sports?” Noah questioned.

“Kind of,” Jaxson smiled. “When did you moved into this house?”

“Yesterday, my mom got a transfer here,” Noah told. “And what you’re d-doing here?” he added.

“I am your neighbor, that’s my house,” he told pointing the big mansion.

“Oh, so you’re that c-celebrity,” Noah told.

“Yes.”

“Do you like this neighborhood?” he asked.

“Yeah, compared to our previous neighborhood I really like this place and my n-new school too.”

“Do you got any friends?” here Jaxson turned completely his dad. He doesn’t know why he even continuing their conversation this way.

“Yeah, I got new friends, s-sir,”

“Don’t call me sir,” Jaxson said.

“Then?”

“Call me Jax,” Jaxson smiled.

“Okay, Jax. Nice to meet you,” Noah giggled and took his ball from the ground. Jaxson’s lips stretched in a smile hearing that and at the same time, it felt weird and so unusual. Jaxson thought that Noah is kind of looking like him, his black eyes, black hair, and that face, Jaxson finds this weird but he kind of looks like when he was young.

“Nice to meet you too, Noah,” Jaxson stared at the boy.

“Hey Noah, can I teach you basketball?” he asked.

“Can you?” Noah asked in delight.

“Yes, of course,” Jaxson came inside. “How did you get interested in this game?” he asked folding his sleeves to his elbows and bought the ball.

“I saw it in the t-television,”

“You know I got interested in boxing after seeing a few matches in the television.”

“We are so similar,” Noah giggled again.

“Okay Noah, first you have to stand straight, your position should be facing the hoop. Aim for the ring not for the net. Raise your hand and throw it straight. You can’t do it simply in one or two attempts because it’s in the height but if you practice you can do it, like this,” telling that Jaxson shoots the ball inside the hoop.

“Wow, that’s so great!” Noah exclaimed.

“Come on try it before the rain could hit,” Jaxson told and gave the ball to Noah.

On his third attempt, Noah successfully put a goal and jumped in joy. Seeing that Jaxson smiled widely, “Amazing, buddy,” he appreciated.

“Thank you,” Noah smiled and Jaxson doesn’t know that he has got a spot in Noah’s little heart.

The raindrops started falling down, and Jaxson said, “Go inside, Noah. I’ll meet you later,”

“Are you f-free now, Jax?” Noah asked.

“Yes,” Jaxson nodded without thinking much.

“Then can y-you come inside my house?”

“I… will come later,” Jaxson hesitated.

“Please come inside. My mom will be so happy to see you,” he pleased in the way that Jaxson couldn’t deny so he walked with him towards the house, there’s something crazy happened to him at that moment, his heart started throbbing as the rain started pouring.

Meantime, Charlotte changed her clothes and stayed in her bed for some time and came out down to prepare some coffee for her and hot chocolate for Noah. After she puts the kettle on the stove Charlotte sat on the chair thinking how she’s going to explain about Jaxson to Noah. When she noticed that the rain has started but before she could call him she heard his footsteps near the door.

She got up and took the kettle and when she heard the approaching footsteps, “Baby, go and change your clothes,” she said without looking back.

 “Mommy look we have a guest,” he told and Charlotte turned to see him.

As she identified who is he, her breath hitched in her, her eyes widened in shock and she felt like her heart stopped for a moment.

“Mommy, today we saw him in the advertisement, right. He l-lives in the opposite big house,” Noah told and saw the unusual reaction on his mother’s face as well as on Jaxson’s face.

“Mommy, what h-happened?” he questioned as they kept staring at each other.

“Uh… Noah comes here,” her voice shook while telling that.

“Wait, Noah,” Jaxson held Noah’s hand.

Charlotte gritted and her eyes welled in tears, “What’s your age?” he muttered.

“I am six years old,” he answered.

Jaxson blow out and tried to act normal in front of Noah. He wiped off the dampness on his forehead and looked at Charlotte who’s staggered by the entire thing. His eyes asked her for an explanation and she gulped closing her eyes. Exhaling her hesitation out Charlotte decide to talk with him.

“Charlotte?” he called out her name for the first time after all these years.

“Do you know my mom?” Noah asked.

“Yes,” Jaxson nodded his head.

“Jaxson I…” he cut her off and asked, “Just, answer me this, is he mine?” Before she could even say he strongly believed that Noah is his son. His instincts have never failed.

Charlotte looked at his eyes and nodded her head, “Yes.”

He clenched his fist and badly wanted to yell at her but he controlled in front of their child. He turned and beheld Noah for the first time having this feeling that he is his son. He eventually fell on his knees and hugged Noah.

When he came out of the hug, Noah immediately went to his mother and held her hand,

“M-Mommy who’s he?”

“I told you right my friend. He is that person,” she answered and then Charlotte told, “He is your dad, Noah.”

“What?” Noah stared at Jaxson completely surprised.

“Yes, baby. He’s your father,” Charlotte smiled and held his hand. But Noah wiggled his hand away from her and ran to his room without minding his mom’s words to stay.

Now standing alone with Jaxson, Charlotte said, “I am sorry,”

“What the f**k is this? Why you didn’t tell me?” he gritted and move close to her.

“I can explain,” Charlotte told.

“I don’t want to hear anything now. You have just hidden something that’s more important to me. You literally treated me like I am dead,” Jaxson’s face is burning in anger but more than that he never expected that someone he loved and still loving could do this to him and it hurts like hell.

Jaxson went to his son’s room after ending his conversation with Charlotte and knocked on the door. He never thought or no one thought that they will meet all of a sudden. Jaxson still can’t believe that he’s a father and all these years he has been living without knowing this truth has made him restless. He can’t help but resent on Charlotte.

“Noah, can I come in?” he spoke in his sweet tone and waited for him to reply.

“Yes,” he replied after a few moments.

Jaxson opened the door and walked inside looking at Noah sitting on his bed. It’s evident that he’s shocked and afraid. Jaxson sat beside him with a smile and held his small hands.

“Why you ran away?”

“I am scared,” Noah replied.

“Are you scared of me?” Jaxson asked.

“Yes. I thought you’re going to fight with mommy,” he answered.

“No, I won’t fight with her. We are good friends,”

“Really?”

“Yes, buddy. Come here,” Jaxson pulled him closer.

“I ran away because I am too shy and happy that I met you at last,” Noah finally smiled and Jaxson becomes relaxed seeing that.

“Why you didn’t come to see me?” Noah’s question made Jaxson speechless. How can he tell that he never knows his existence for all these years until now?

“I don’t know where you and your mom,” Jaxson told the truth.

Standing beside the door Charlotte watched them unable to speak anything. She finds herself in a very guilty state so that she couldn’t walk inside.

“Now you know that we are here. Will you leave us again?” he asked. No one ever asked Jaxson to stay, even Charlotte who pushed him away when he needed her the most but this little boy, his son wants him and he can never deny it.

“No, I won’t,” Jaxson smiled battling his tears.

“Promise?” Noah asked.

“Yes, I promise. I won’t leave you ever again,” telling that he embraced his son against his chest.

Noticing his mom, Noah asked her to come in. Charlotte doesn’t know what to say, she slowly turned her eyes to Jaxson who didn’t look at her in anger. She expected that from him because she knew about him so well.

“Are you angry at me?” she asked Noah cautiously.

“No,” he nodded. “I am so happy right now,” he said holding his dad’s hand. Charlotte nodded lightly looking at that.

After an awkward silence, Jaxson turned his gaze to Charlotte, “I need to talk to you,” he grimed. His rough manly voice reflected his aversion.

Though Charlotte is kind of afraid she agreed, “Baby, change your clothes and go downstairs, okay,” she said to Noah and he agreed.

Jaxson and Charlotte walked out and went to her room, closing the door behind she looked at his pissed off face. He has changed a lot in these six years, his face is bruised yet he looked handsome. His coal-black eyes watched her intently hoping that she will talk but she didn’t because she didn’t think her apology or her reasons would work out here.

“Why?” he asked. “Why you’re always turning me miserable?” he clenched his jaw and came close to her.

“I am sorry,” she apologized looking at his eyes.

“Your apology won’t give me the time I missed with my son,” he retorted.

“Why did you take that decision?” he asked looking at her beautiful face which is sad right now.

“I have my reasons,” she answered.

“f**k your reasons. You didn’t get what I am saying, you have taken my son, damn it,”

“What else you want me to do?” “You don’t have a job at that time, you’re unstable and I am just eighteen. If I have told you I know we couldn’t deal with it, we would have complicated our lives.” what she said has made him so angry. It is partly true but he couldn’t accept what she has done.

Clenching his jaw, he punched the door behind her and she shuddered in fear. “You don’t have the right to say it. You not even tried,” he said.

“I have never hated you but now I hate you with all my heart,” he said and pushed her aside. Opening the door Jaxson walked out of the room before he could lose his temper.

It hurts for Charlotte to hear that from him if it was someone else maybe it wouldn’t hurt her this much.

That night, Charlotte prepared dinner for Noah. She didn’t eat, she couldn’t. After putting him in bed and telling him that he will allow him to go out with Jaxson tomorrow. Charlotte came to her room.

She laid on her bed and tried to sleep but her confused mind doesn’t let her. There were so many things running in her head like, Did I hurt him with my words? Why I have to meet him all of a sudden? What he’s going to do after this? Is he going to take Noah from me?

She sighs and got up from her bed. Walking slowly to the balcony she opened the door. The rain is drizzling outside and Charlotte came out and sat in the chair. Though she tried not to look at his house, her eyes eventually dragged her there.

Jaxson sitting on his dark bedroom and drinking the liquor from that bottle. She knew he’s looking at her, fuming in anger and hating her to the core. He once loved her more than anyone ever did, he adored her so much and though it is a short period that was the happiest time in her life.

All this would have never happened if she didn’t move to this city but she’s glad that it has happened. For so long she has been trying to say the truth that always gave uncomfortable feeling. Now the truth is out but it’s way more uncomfortable than she imagined.

Suddenly the lights on his room turned on. Jaxson removing his shirt walked close to the glass wall looking at Charlotte.

They both stared at each other having this same thought, why we have ended up like this... Because they once shared a very meaningful past.