52. The Discovery

Hunter

Hunter rushed home and dropped his produce off on the counter. After brushing his teeth, he changed into a loose, linen button-down, short-sleeved shirt and khaki shorts. He couldn’t believe it was her, after all those years. He raced downstairs and waited near the cafe on the corner for about ten minutes, pacing anxiously as he looked around for Maxine. He walked back up to the booth at the Farmer’s market and it was completely cleared out. He looked at the time and more than thirty minutes had passed. He regretted not staying with her while she packed or following her to her car to see where it was parked.

He headed to the cafe and waited, slowly realizing that he might never see her again. Right as he turned toward home, his head perked up after hearing his name called from inside the cafe. She must’ve already gone in when he stepped away.

Maxine stepped outside to meet him. “I have a table, right near the window. Are you hungry?”

“Mom,” a tall, pre-teen called out from behind her. “I gotta go. A new game starts right now.”

“Go, I’ll watch you from inside,” she said, and the boy breezed by the two of them. Astonished, Hunter’s posture stiffened as his eyes fell on the boy’s honey colored skin, big blue eyes and curly, golden hair. Hunter followed her back inside quietly, trying to process what he had seen. They sat down at a table near the corner window where she had already ordered a coffee.

“That’s your—son?” he asked, dumbfounded.

“That’s my son,” Maxine said, before taking a sip of coffee.

“How old is he?”

“He’ll be eleven in a couple of weeks.”

“Eleven? Wow. He’s tall.” Hunter paused, unsure how to make out his next question as he processed his thoughts.

They were twenty-one when they met Maxine that autumn, plus nine months, and eleven years. Hunter had just celebrated his thirty-third birthday a few months prior, alone, on his balcony—with a bottle of brandy.

“He’s mine, isn’t he?” His heart twisted nervously in his chest. Maxine nodded, looking down at her coffee. Gazing at the group of young boys playing soccer on the beach, Hunter felt a new, overwhelming emotion came over him. “He’s beautiful. You didn’t—but, I—how come—” He didn’t know what to say or where to start. “You could’ve told me. I would’ve helped you.”

“I should’ve told you, but I didn’t. I wanted to. We were young and I was terrified. I wasn’t going to keep him, at first. I had an appointment scheduled and everything.”

“Max,” Hunter said with a stern look on his face and then sighed, caving his shoulders in. He looked back at the boy, catching glimpses of his smile here and there. “What’s his name?”

“Cameron.”

“Cameron,” Hunter echoed, staring out the window. “Powell?”

“Richardson. It was Powell for a while until around six months when his dark hair turned blond, and his eyes bright blue. There was no denying. He’s a lot like you, too,” she said, watching him as he watched his son. “He only speaks when he has to, and he’s into sports. Definitely did not get that from me. He’s also smart. He’s great at math and science and he enjoys reading.”

“Didn’t get the math skills from me.” He chuckled. “Is there anything bad about him?”

Maxine took a sip of her coffee and sighed. “He’s a sore loser and he’s not afraid to finish a fight, but I know he’s not one to start them.”

“He’s mine for sure then,” Hunter said, smiling proudly. “I don’t even know what to do or say. How are you though? Do you need anything?

“We’re fine. It was tough at first, I wanted to do it alone, but my family helped a lot the first few years when I didn’t know what I was doing.”

“Are you seeing anyone?” Hunter asked, mostly out of curiosity. “I mean, does he have a father in his life?”

“I am seeing someone. It’s new, but he’s been great to us so far.”

“Good. That’s good. Does he—Cameron, know … about me?”

“He’s asked me about his dad a few times. I told him I met his dad in college but that we weren’t together anymore,” she said.

Hunter looked down at the table for a moment and then at her. “I can’t say I’m not upset you didn’t tell me about this. Twelve years? You weren’t some random chick I banged at a party. You knew how I felt about you.”

“I didn’t want to force you into something you weren’t ready for. I also didn’t want to ruin what you had with Logan at the time.”

“Are you kidding? Logan would’ve loved that. We both would’ve loved him.”

Hunter wondered how much having a child in his life at twenty-two would have changed his relationship with Logan. Maybe they would have stayed together, the three of them. Maybe they would have never moved to opposite ends of the country and had one of those families you see on corny sitcoms that show forced diversity.

Maxine’s voice broke his thoughts. “How is Logan? Are you two still—?”

“No, no. He lives in Sacramento. Has a daughter, about nine or ten now?”

“Wow, that’s awesome that the two of you still stay in touch after all these years,” she said, with a sad smile on her face.

“Not much lately, not for a couple of years. So, what now, Max? I want to be in his life—in Cameron’s life.”

Maxine clanked the spoon of her tea against the mug with shaky hands. “Are you sure? I don’t want to introduce you to him if you’re unsure or if it will be a once every few years kind of thing.”

“Are you kidding me? I would fight you for him in court if that’s what it takes. You’ve kept him from me this whole time. He has a right to a father.”

Maxine’s jaw dropped and eyebrows furrowed. “I’ve been just fine for him. We haven’t needed anything from you or anyone.”

Hunter softened his tone, unaware of the severity of his words. “I’m sorry. Look, I love him already—because he’s mine and love him even more because he’s yours.”

She looked out the window at her son. “Would you want to get a DNA test first? I don’t want any doubts on your end. Only other possibility is Logan, but—look at him.”

“Tell me more about him,” Hunter said. “Do you have any pictures?”

Hunter and Maxine walked across the street to the beach where Cameron juggled a soccer ball from one foot to the other.

“You go ahead, I’ll wait here,” she said. He ran his fingers back through his hair and straightened his shirt, keeping his nerves under control.

“Hey, you’re pretty good at that,” he called out to Cameron as he came near. Cameron hesitated a moment and looked for his mother, who waved at him from the bench—telling him that it was safe.

“Thanks,” he said. “I lost my game.”

“That pick-up game? Consider that practice. Kick it here,” Hunter said, ready for the ball. Cameron kicked the ball over to him and Hunter showed off a few moves, kicking the ball up from his foot and bounced it off his head a few times.

“Cool,” Cameron said, lighting up. “Hey, show me that.”

“Sure. It’s tricky but …” Hunter demonstrated.

Maxine watched the two playing on the beach with the sun setting behind them for a couple of hours. She took a few pictures and videos on her phone, probably wondering if either of them would tire any time soon.

“Cam, it’s time to go,” she called out after a while.

“Your mom is calling,” Hunter told his son.

“Aw, man. Alright, thank you. It was fun playing with you,” Cameron said politely before beginning to walk back.

“You, too. Uh—we can play any time,” Hunter said, unsure of what to say as he walked back with him.

“Wait, do you know my mom or something?”

“I knew her from back in college,” Hunter explained. Hunter couldn’t help but think about how beautiful Maxine looked waiting for them with a big smile on her face, shielding her eyes from the sun.

“Hey Cam, are you ready to go? I got you a sandwich,” Maxine said to Cameron who nodded as he stood beside her. “Hunter, so we’ll stay in touch? We’ll be at the Farmer’s market tomorrow. Have a good evening.”

“Hunter? His name is Hunter?” Cameron asked her abruptly. Maxine’s face drained of all color and jaw hung open. Cameron placed the ball on the ground, rushed over to Hunter who was about fifteen feet away and threw his arms around his waist. Hunter panicked, unsure of what to do. I don’t know, Maxine mouthed, shrugging her shoulders.

Hunter hugged him back slowly, resting the side of his face against the top of the boy’s head. Cameron’s sobs against his chest made his heart melt. He wanted to pick him up and tell him that everything would be okay. “It’s alright,” Hunter whispered, rubbing his back.

“I knew my dad’s name was Hunter,” he cried, digging his fingers into his father’s back, gripping him tightly. “You knew her from college.”

“You’re so grown up,” Hunter said, feeling his own eyes fill with tears. “I’m so proud of you.” Words he wished his father had said to him at that age.

“Did you know about me?” Cameron asked between deep sobs, as he tried to catch his breath.

“I just found out today. I had no idea. But this news makes me so happy. I can’t wait to get to know you,” Hunter whispered and kissed the top of his head. “I told your mother, I love you already.” Cameron’s crying began to die down. He quickly and shamefully dried away the tears on his face with his arms and shirt. “I’ll see you tomorrow. See, that building? I live right there—top floor. You come by anytime,” he said, and Maxine shook her head. “If your mother says it’s okay.”

Cameron nodded.

“Let’s get home,” Maxine said, placing a hand on Cameron’s shoulder. Cameron pulled away from her touch, storming away from the beach area, and getting a head start to the car.

“I’m sorry, he can be moody. I never told him your name, not sure how he knew. I hope you’re serious about this. It will mean the world to him.”

“Max, stop. I’m right here. Not going anywhere.”

“Thank you.” Maxine hugged him one more time. “We’ll see you tomorrow.”

Hunter couldn’t believe what had happened. His mind couldn’t process it. The feeling he got when Cameron touched him, the longing and despair, the missed memories and moments, birthdays, holidays, games won and lost; he thought about it all, wondering what kind of life he had. He sat down at the bench, watched the orange sunset and cried.

After about a half-hour, Hunter headed home. He wished he could tell someone about what had happened and wished someone could tell him how his new life as a parent would be. As he entered his place, his phone vibrated in his pocket, and he knew for sure it must’ve been Maxine letting him know what the aftermath of their day had been.

Hey!A text came in from Logan Parker.

Hunter smiled to himself. This time, he knew just what to do.