Generation 2, Chapter 10 - Don't Ignore Me

The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get

Early one morning before work, Adam picked Heath up to get him dressed before the babysitter arrived. "Humph your getting so big."

"Yes big boy," Heath said smugly.

Holding his son, Adam was overwhelmed with the need to protect him. He choked on the lump forming in this throat as he thought about the letter he received from Windy.

It had been two years since Windy walked out of the hospital. He hadn't heard or seen her since. Now the letters, six so far including the one that came yesterday. They always came without a return address so he couldn't tell where they were coming from and he couldn't write back to tell her to leave him alone. They were always the same, telling him how much she missed him, wanted him and how one day they'd be together. Not one word asking about their son. Just about them and how happy they'd be.

In a way it was nice to know that she missed him but he'd never take her back. Well maybe if she had shown any interest in their son. He firmly believed Heath needed a mother but he wasn't sure Windy was the mother he wanted for his son. It concerned him that she never acknowledged his existence. There was no way he would allow her back into their lives not if she wasn't in it for the good of their son.

Coming home that night, Adam found another letter in the mailbox. This time with a return envelope addressed to a post office box in Dragon Valley. Chuckling a little at how appropriate that was, he opened the letter to find it was a repeat of all the others accept for her request he write back.

Going into the house he sat on the floor with his back propped up against the couch. Heath wandered over and sat in his lap.

"Daddy sad?" he asked looking up at him.

"A little," Adam admitted feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders. If he wrote her it would just encourage her to continue to contact him but if he didn't it would just anger her. 
 

Stretching out on the floor he allowed Heath to climb over him and drive his trucks across the 'mountain' as he thought about what he should do. He hoped he was doing the right thing by not getting involved with Windy again. He knew deep down that Windy had some ulterior motive for what she was doing and it was up to him to keep his son as far away from her as possible.

After putting Heath in his crib that night Adam gathered all the letters he received and threw them away. He didn't want any reminders of the lies Windy had told him and continued to tell him. Sighing in relief Adam went to bed satisfied with his decision.

Sitting on the couch with Heath on his lap leisurely watching Saturday morning cartoons. Adam contemplated how much he loved Saturdays, the extra time he had to spend with his son.  

As Heath happily clapped his hands to his favorite cartoon, Adam felt his phone vibrate. Reaching into his pocket he glanced at the display screen noticing he received a text message from an unknown caller.

With a sinking feeling he knew it was Windy as he read DON'T IGNORE ME. Frowning Adam wondered how she got his phone number. Why couldn't she understand he didn't want anything to do with her? The last thing he wanted was a vindictive woman hanging around his child. Vivid memories of Vallari flashed through his mind. He would do anything to protect his son from experiencing what he had as a child. Resisting the urge to text back, Adam deleted it. As he sat watching cartoons with his son, his mind kept going back to Windy wondering what she was up to. Why was she contacting him? What happened to Scot? Why couldn't she leave him alone? He tried to ignore the constant vibrating of his phone but he knew it was Windy sending more texts demanding a response from him.

Getting up after watching all the cartoons that Heath wanted Adam threw his phone on the table. At least he wouldn't have to feel the constant buzz. Picking up Heath, Adam tossed him into the air.

"Do it again Daddy!" Heath laughed gleefully.

"Ok you ready?" Shaking his head rapidly as Adam flipped him upside down. Laughing excitedly Heath repeated "Do it again!"

"Ok one more time. Then I've got to get some house cleaning done."

"O-tay Daddy," he said agreeably.

Instead of putting him down Adam flipped him up to his shoulders. Confidant that Heath would hold on while he washed the dishes and wiped down the counters.

"Cleaning is fun," Heath stated from above his head.

"You think so little man?" Adam asked laughing.

"Yep," he replied leaning down to kiss the top of Adam's head. 

 

"We're all done in here," Adam told him flipping him from his shoulders. Before putting him down Adam told him "Let's see those muscles," laughing as Heath flexed his muscles as he copied him "you're getting so big and strong."

"Yep just like you Daddy."

Adam continued to play around with Heath until he grew tired and ready for his nap. Once Adam had put him down, he quickly finished cleaning the rest of the house. Coming into the kitchen Adam picked up his phone noticing he had received over 50 texts all from the unknown caller. He moved to delete them all unread but hesitated as he decided to leave them for now. There was one call he missed from his Dad, smiling he called him back.

"Hey Dad, you called?"

"Yeah wanted to see if you wanted to come over so Heath could play with the girls."

 "Sure he'd enjoy that," pausing Adam hesitated to mention the disturbing texts he was receiving.

"What is it son?" Peter asked concerned.

"Um I need some advise."

"Do you need to talk privately?"

"Yeah I mean, I don't want little ears overhearing."

"Ok," Peter took a moment to think then suggested "why don't you come with me to Kanoa's party and we can find a place to talk there."

"Are you sure? I don't want to spoil the party."

"Don't worry about it. Kanoa will understand, besides he's almost family."

"Ok thanks."
After dropping Heath off into the capable hands of his Grandma, Adam went with Peter to the party. Going outside they found a spot where they could talk. Occasionally they had to stop and converse with the stray party guest but for the most part they were alone.
 

"So what's wrong?" Peter asked in concern.

"Well I'm not really sure there is anything wrong exactly," Adam said trying to down play the situation.

Eying his son Peter knew he was hedging around the truth. "Son you better just tell me. Then together we can determine if you have a problem or not."

Sighing Adam handed his father his cellphone. "You better read these. I know they're from Windy even though the ID says unknown caller."

Scanning through the texts Peter was growing more concerned as he read. "Do you know what she means by 'don't ignore her?'"

Nodding Adam explained how she had sent him several letters and that he hadn't replied to any of them.

"Do you still have the letters?"

Shaking his head Adam said "No I threw them away. The letters weren't like these texts. Mostly about how much she missed me and wanted to get back together. Stuff like that."

 



"By not replying you may have tipped her over the edge."

"I was afraid of that,"

"You need to put out a restraining order against her," Peter suggested.

"I know. But where's my proof that these are from her. The letters didn't have an address on them except for a postmark from Dragon Valley and the texts are all from an unknown caller." Adam explained feeling overwhelmed by fear and the need to protect his son from whatever Windy had planned. "I wish I hadn't thrown the letters away. At least the PO Box could have been traced."

"You should still inform the police. At least they could drive by and do a wellness check every so often." Peter looked at his son, concern written all over his face. He feared Windy was an unstable personality. He wanted him and grandson to be safe and living alone in that small house offered little to no protection. "Son maybe you should reconsider moving back home. At least there you'd be surrounded by family and Heath would be protected during the day."

"I appreciate the offer Dad and I'll think about it," running his hands through his hair Adam sighed wondering how he could have been so wrong about Windy. He thought he knew her but time and again she proved him wrong.

"Ok son think about it and let me know," he said giving his son a hug. "Don't underestimate her. I wouldn't put it past her to use anyone to accomplish whatever she wants, even using her own son."

"I won't Dad, I promise. If I feel that Heath's in any kind of danger I'll come home. Alright?"

"Maybe I'm overreacting but I wish you'd come home now," Peter said wishing he could convince Adam to make the move before something happened. "Oh before I forget again. I'm taking Jean and the kids to Roaring Heights. They have some new roller coaster that Elliot's been dying to ride. So we'll be gone a for about a week."

That night Adam snuggled Heath before putting him to bed. "Did you have fun tonight?"

"Yes," Heath managed to say on a yawn.

Smiling Adam kissed him goodnight. As he put him carefully into the crib he felt his phone vibrate. Standing up he absently wondered who would be calling him so late at night. He grabbed the phone thinking it might be important. Answering without looking at the ID he said "Hello,"

After his greeting there was silence, again he said "hello? Who is this?" He was about to disconnect when a voice he recognized began to speak "I told you not to ignore me...You've been warned." With his heart leaping into his throat he disconnected the call on the sound of laughter that sent chills up his spine. A few seconds later he received a text with an attachment. He hesitated before opening it fearing what it would be. It was a picture of him and Heath playing in the kitchen earlier that morning.

Anger and fear jolted through his body as he realized the danger both he and his son were in. He stayed up that night worrying that Windy was lurking outside somewhere, watching. He wished he knew what she was up to, why she was doing this to them? Why after two years of silence? It didn't make sense.

The next day Adam was exhausted from not sleeping the night before. He was afraid that he was a sitting duck if Windy was going to jump him. His mind went to his Dad's offer to move back home. It would be safer for Heath and he would be able to play with his favorite aunties all he wanted. He wouldn't have to work so hard and maybe he'd be able to finish his degree.

 

"Daddy, Daddy wake up?" Adam woke with a jerk to the urgent sound of his son's scared voice

"What's the matter little man?" he asked groggily.

Pointing towards the window he said "bad lady."

Racing to the window Adam looked around, not seeing anyone he sat back down on the couch. "What did the bad lady look like?"

"Blue hair."

"Like yours?" Adam asked already knowing but afraid to believe.
 

"Yes, like me." pointing towards the window Heath repeated "Bad lady." Adam went and picked him carrying him back to the couch. Heath snuggled into him saying "Scared."

Leaning back on the couch offering what comfort he could to his son until Heath fell asleep. Holding his little boy Adam wondered what he was going to do. Fear knifed through him as he realized how easy it would have been for Windy to come in and do whatever she wanted to them. The thought pumped adrenaline through his body forcing him to stay awake. He knew what he had to do, regardless of how much he wanted to prove to himself that he could take care of his son on his own, his pride wasn't worth the safety of his child. He was going to move back home, to surround his son in the safety and love of family.