West Seattle Blues by Chris Nickson

Author:Chris Nickson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Creative Content Ltd

Ten

I put the phone down, ready to dig out May’s number, when Ian came tottering around the corner from the living room. On his own two feet. Still clutching the sippy cup, he looked up at me with astonished eyes.

For a moment I was speechless as I watched him take his first real steps. He seemed as shocked as me at this new thing, this new power. Then I dashed to grab him before he could hurt himself.

“Your daddy’s going to be so happy when he sees this,” I told him. My heart felt full of joy. We’d been waiting, encouraging, and now he was doing it. “You want to walk again?” I asked as I lowered him. He was still uneasy on his feet and I kept hold of his hand, but a series of short, jerky movements took him all along the kitchen. “You know what? I think you’ve got it.”

I glanced at the clock: almost five. Dustin would be home soon. The argument we had was forgotten. This was far more important. It felt like the biggest event in history. I wanted to tell everyone about it. Hey guys, Ian’s walking now! Take some pictures, take a video for the memories. But my parents were dead and I had been an only child. Dustin’s folks were off on a cruise somewhere in the Gulf of Mexico. Most of my friends had kids of their own so they wouldn’t find it so special. For a moment it struck me that I was alone here in so many ways. Then Ian took one more faltering step and none of it mattered any more. This was what counted. Him, me, Dustin, and the future we had together. For a moment at least, every thought of murder and music vanished.

A little before six I heard a car door slam, then the sliding door opened. I’d already fed Ian, and now he was winding down before I gave him his bath. He turned at the sound and I hoped he’d slide off the couch and toddle toward it. Instead his attention returned to Tom and Jerry on the television screen.

“Hey,” I said after Dustin came through and kissed me, before crouching down in front of Ian. “Guess what?”

“Someone offered you a six-figure book contract?” he said as he tickled the boy, making him giggle. He looked up at me sheepishly. “I’m really sorry. That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever said. Ever. You know… earlier.” Of course I knew. I could see it had been bugging him all day. There was an anxious twist to his mouth and his eyes had gotten big as if he was about to cry. “I know how hard this is for you. I gave my boss a call. He’s not happy, but I’ve put back the Montana trip. I’m not going away from home while all this is going on.”

“Thanks,” I told him. I wanted him close by. I needed someone I could trust, someone I could rely on.

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