Chapter 8
I knew I couldn’t leave Jayson in the car, so I held him as we walked inside the shop. Jayson although he was tired, he was well awake as soon as he smelt the doughy goodness.
“mama” he said staring at the selection before pointing to a line of brownie covered ring doughnuts.
“alright buddy we will get these for mama. You want one” I said crouching down so that he could get a better view of the selection.
His big eyes focused on the glass and eventually he picked out some chocolate ones with sprinkles on top. I ordered a bunch of each and went to go pay. The guy serving us put 3 of Jayson’s in a little box and gave them to him.
People watched in amusement as he tried his best to carry it but succeeded in the end.
“excuse me sir could I have a picture with you I really admire your work” a young girl asked coming up to me. she didn’t look a day over the age of 16.
She had her phone out.
“of course”I said bending down slightly to pose with this girl.
“I’ve started an online business after that talk you did, you really helped me get started” she said as we both walked outside behind Jayson who was waddling in front.
She seemed quiet at first but got more comfortable when she realised, I wasn’t annoyed at her.
Before I would hate talking to people and taking pictures, but Liz would always force me to be nice and thank my fans or followers.
“that’s amazing, what do you sell?” I asked her. I think she was surprised that I was interested.
She stuttered slightly before telling me “It’s my own apparel brand that I started with my brother” she says showing me her page on Instagram.
I was impressed she had over 10, 000 followers and the products were good.
“it was nice to meet you” I said finally letting her leave to do whatever she needed to do. I followed Jayson as he walked over to the car only for him to stop suddenly.
He was looking between his doughnuts and a homeless man sitting on the pavement. I tried to divert Jayson’s attention, but he put up a fight and shoved my hand away.
Wonder where he got that from?
Jayson stepped closer to the man holding out one of the doughnuts. The man smiled at Jayson and took one of the doughnuts which seem to ignite a giggle from the toddler’s mouth.
I watched the man slightly moan as he bit into the soft chocolatey doughnut. My eyes moved over to the side of him. He had a collection of old baseball memorabilia. I bent down and grabbed an old baseball.
“you’re selling these” I asked turning the ball over. My predictions were right they were signed.
“yeah what’s it to you” he said snatching the ball from my hands. I could tell he was hostile he probably saw me try and get my child away from him.
I stepped back. “Jeter? As in Derek Jeter” I asked him to know the signature from my uncle’s old collection of collection t-shirts. He was very good back in 1950 and was a legend.
The guy seemed to be surprised that I knew. “yeah my dad got this signed “he told me finally letting me in a little bit. I listened carefully to him as he went through his whole collection with pride. I knew that the price was slightly generous, but I wanted to be generous. I’ve had experiences with homeless people who took my kindness to their advantage but from the look of it this guy was really in need.Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.
The guy knew better than to argue with me, he was truly a business man when you just take the money no questions asked.
I came back from the cash machine after withdrawing 500 and handed it to him as he handed me the baseball. This would be a great present for my uncle on his 65th birthday.
“Thank you, sir,” he said shaking my hand. As I shook his hand something didn’t feel right, was I just going to walk away for this guy?
“Look, I think you could really make a lot of money, but you’d better your chances selling online would you let me help you out” I said giving him my full attention.
I don’t think he expected it. Little jay was watching with curiosity as we stared back at each other.
There was no immediate response I could see him debating with himself, but I think we both knew he needed this.
Not even 10 minutes later we were loading his stuff into the back of my car before driving down to my apartment. I would get him in my guest room for the meantime.
When we arrived, I told him he could use my shower. I called my assistant to grab me some clothes from town and bring them to my place. She asked no questions, that’s why I kept her around she always did what I told her and rarely complained.
“Jayson huh, my best friend was called Jayson” I heard the man say, I guess he was talking to Jayson now finished with the shower.
I went over to the door and took the clothes from Jenette. “do you think this a good idea Leon?” she asked me to hand them over.
I sighed.
I knew it was risky, but I knew that Liz would support my actions completely.
“since when did you start questioning me” I said to her walking through to the room. She stood back and didn’t say anything.
I walked in and found the guy standing looking at the room as Jayson played with his toy car on the carpet.
“here I got you some clothes” I told him giving him the bags.
He laughed to himself “you didn’t have to do that” I didn’t say anything. I know I didn’t have to, but I wanted to.
“there’s also a shaver in there if you wanted to clean up a little bit” Jeanette said which only made all of us smile. Way to put it nicely Jeanette.
I told Jeanette to keep him company as I grabbed Jayson and his stuff since I was due at Liz’s to take Jayson back.
I packed him his bag and transferred him back to the car. I had to put in a new address since apparently Liz had gotten a new place recently.
I slowly drove through the streets and tried to locate her new place.
I didn’t know what I expected but as soon as I arrived and was about to knock on the door it was opened and instead of seeing Liz, I was met with her best friend Jessica.
Great.
“doughnuts won’t get her back Leon” she snapped at me seeing the box of doughnuts in my other hand as I carried Jayson on my hip.
Her attitude towards me only pissed me off.
“I don’t have time for your bitchiness today” I said walked past her and going inside. The place that Liz had bought was a small 2-bedroom house which I’m pretty sure she is renting.