Protecting Her(50)

I walk out of his office. Staying there would just lead to us fighting. He doesn’t accept my decision and he never will. He doesn’t understand the importance of family. I thought after nearly dying from cancer, he’d realize that family is what’s important in life, but he didn’t come to that realization. He’s back to his old self. He’ll never change.





CHAPTER TWELVE


12


RACHEL

Last night I woke up thinking about what Pearce said about my reaction to Garret falling down. My mother used to react the same way when I used to fall down as a child. She’d pick me up, completely panicked over something as simple as a bruise or a scrape. I can’t be that way with Garret. I promised myself I wouldn’t be. But that’s exactly what I’ve done. The fact that Pearce recognized it after spending just one day with Garret and me proves how much I overreacted yesterday.

I’m sure I’ll continue to do so, which is why I need Pearce around. He needs to tell me when I’m being that way with Garret, because right now, I don’t even recognize when I’m doing it. I really hope Pearce meant it when he said he’d stop working so much. I want to believe him, but I won’t until I actually see him at the dinner table every night and at home on the weekends.

“Mama.” Garret kicks his little legs, splashing water everywhere.

I took him to the pool today at the gym that’s in the next town over. We have a family membership but Pearce has only been here one time. He prefers to work out at the gym by his office.

Garret and I have been coming here almost every day since the end of September when the weather became too cool to use our outdoor pool at home.

“Good job,” I tell him, as I hold him in the water. My hands are around his tummy so that his arms and legs are free to move back and forth like I taught him.

I let go of him for just a second and am shocked to see that he’s able to stay afloat all by himself. I fight the urge to grab him, and just let him keep going.

“Garret, you’re swimming!” I can’t believe it. He’s actually swimming on his own! I wonder if he’s been able to do this for weeks and I just didn’t know because I wouldn’t let him try. I was too afraid he’d drown, even though I’m always right next to him. But today, I let him go and he did it. He actually kept his head above the water.

I pick him up and hug him. “Sweetie, you were swimming all by yourself!” I kiss his wet cheek. He kicks his legs, hitting my stomach. “You want to try again?”

It’s clear he does. He keeps trying to push away from me and he can’t take his eyes off the water. I lower him back into the pool and let him go and he paddles right past me.

“How did you teach him that?” I hear a voice and pick up Garret before directing my attention to the woman standing next to the pool. She’s holding a little girl who’s probably around two.

“I’ve had him in the pool since he was just a few months old,” I say, trying to hold him as he squirms in my arms, wanting to get back in the water. “But this is the first time he’s swam on his own like that.”

She smiles. “You might have a future Olympian there.”

I laugh. “We’re not quite at that point yet.”

“I’m Janelle.” She leans over to shake my hand. “And this is Abby.” She points to her daughter, who turns away and clings to her mom.

“Hi. I’m Rachel.” Garret’s still squirming, desperate to get back in the water. “And this is Garret.”

“I’ve seen you here before. You come here a lot.” She smiles. “And you’re always in the pool.”

I smile back. “I was on the swim team in high school and college, so the pool is like my second home.”

“Have you ever thought of giving lessons?”

“Swim lessons?”

“Yeah. The gym is looking for an instructor. They had a college kid giving lessons here in the summer. He did okay, but as a mom, I’d much rather have an adult teaching my child. And you’re so good with your son, I bet you’d do great with other kids.”

“I don’t know. I’ve never taught anyone but Garret.”

“You should think about it. Talk to the guy at the front desk. He can tell you more about it.” Her daughter starts fussing. “I need to get her home for her nap, but it was nice meeting you.”