You’re Nobody to Him

Maybe its time I finally meet your son? David set his coffee mug aside and looked at Eleanor. She froze, as if his words had taken her completely by surprise.

No need to rush, love her voice was light, but the tension in her shoulders gave away how she really felt. Max is just getting used to the idea that his mum has someone.

Weve been seeing each other for four months now, David said gently. Im not asking you to move in or to pretend were already a happy family. I just want to know the little guy who means so much to you.

Eleanor turned toward the window.

Hes only seven. I dont want to hurt my son

Hurt? David shot back. Ellie, understand me. If you plan on keeping me at arms length, what kind of relationship are we even talking about?

She faced him again. A flash of fear flickered in her eyes, but it vanished as quickly as a trick of light.

Fine. In a couple of weeks, alright? Just give me time to get him ready.

David nodded. Those two weeks stretched into almost three months. One excuse after another popped up Max got a cold, had a big test, wasnt in the mood. Then, one Saturday, Eleanor actually called and asked David to come over.

Max turned out to be a skinny lad with dark eyes, far too serious for a sevenyearold. He sat on the sofa, clutching his toy car, eyes darting warily.

Hey there, David sat down nearby, not too close. Nice wheels youve got.

Max stayed silent, studying David.

Max, dont be shy, say hello, Eleanor stood in the doorway, arms crossed.

Hello, the boy whispered.

David didnt push. He pulled out his phone and showed a picture of his own car.

Thats what I drive. Want to take a spin sometime?

Maxs eyes lit up, then he glanced quickly at his mum.

Can I?

Well see, Eleanor replied evasively.

Slowly the ice cracked. Eleanor began to loosen up, letting David take Max out for walks. He whisked the boy to parks, the zoo, the cinema. He bought the toys Max asked for, explained how engines work, showed how to hammer a nail properly and how to hold a screwdriver.

Look, you turn this clockwise, David guided Maxs tiny hand. Feel the thread moving?

Yeah, Max stuck out the tip of his tongue, concentrating. What if I turn it the wrong way?

Then you unscrew it, David grinned. No big deal, you just start over.

They spent hours tinkering with the car. Max handed over tools, asked a million questions, got oil all over his elbows and beamed with pride. In the evenings they played board games while Eleanor cooked dinner.

Fishing became their weekend ritual. Every other Sunday they drove out to the river, set their rods, and waited as the bobbers bobbed. Max learned to thread a worm, to be patient, to give the line a gentle tug.

Dad, Ive got a bite! he shrieked one day as the float sank.

Easy now, dont yank, David coaxed. Pull smoothly, like this.

The carp was tiny, but the grin on Maxs face was priceless.

At home they watched action movies that Eleanor wouldnt let on unless David was there. Max would plop down beside them, lean against the sofa, commenting on every scene.

Thats ridiculous, right? That never happens in real life, hed say when the hero took down a dozen bad guys.

Yeah, they crank it up for the spectacle, David agreed. But the point isnt the fighting; its that the hero looks after the people he loves.

Max nodded thoughtfully.

When school maths turned sour, David stepped in. His background in engineering and finance let him break down problems in a way a kid could grasp.

I dont get these stupid fractions, Max frowned at the page.

Lets try it differently. Imagine youve got a pizza, David drew a quick sketch. You eat half of it. Thats onehalf, right?

Yeah.

And if you split it into four pieces and eat one?

Onequarter?

Exactly. Now solve the question thinking about pizza.

Five minutes later Maxs notebook showed the right answer.

Got it!

See? Youre a star, David ruffled his hair.

Grades started climbing. At the parentteacher meeting the teacher praised Maxs progress, and Eleanor beamed with pride.

Its all thanks to Dave, she told friends. He spends so much time with Max.

David grew attached to the boy. He woke up thinking about ways to make Maxs day better, planned weekends, bought gifts, fussed over every failing grade more than Max himself. Love slipped in quietly but rooted deep.

When Max turned ten, David finally brought up the big question.

Lets get married, he said one evening.

Eleanor snapped the magazine shut, eyes wide.

What?

Were practically a family already, David continued. I love you and Max. Why wait?

Eleanors face hardened.

No.

Why not? he expected anything but that firm denial.

Im already divorced. Thats enough for me.

Im not your exhusband.

I know, her voice softened a touch. But I dont want to tie the knot again. Im happy as we are. What about you?

David sighed. He wasnt miserable, but he wanted more.

Fine, lets keep it that way.

Years slipped by. They lived together in Eleanors flat, holidayed on the south coast in summer and up in the Lake District in winter. David covered most of the bills, paying the rent and utilities in pounds, never asking for anything back. Hed drop the wedding talk now and then, but Eleanor shut it down each time.

How about we have a baby? he asked when Max turned thirteen.

Eleanor stared at the ceiling for a long moment.

Ive got health issues. Doctors say its risky.

We could see specialists, get checked.

No, Dave. I dont want any more kids. Max is enough.

David didnt push. He accepted her answer, though a quiet hurt lingered.

Eight years into their life together, things shifted. Eleanor began nitpicking everything the way he washed dishes, how loud his voice was, even forgetting to close the toothpaste tube.

You always do everything wrong, she snapped one night as he came home from work.

What exactly?

Everything!

David tried to smooth things over, helped more around the house, watched his step, but it seemed Eleanor was just looking for reasons to argue.

Maybe you need a break? he suggested. Lets get away, just the two of us.

No, she cut him off. I dont want that!

Max sensed the tension, kept to himself, tried not to get in the way. It hurt David to see his son caught in the middle.

The truth came out by accident. David came back early one day and found an unfamiliar jacket in the hallway a mans coat. His heart sank.

Ellie?

She bolted from the bedroom, slamming the door behind her. But David caught a glimpse of a man in their bed.

Dave, its not what you think.

Really? David croaked. How long?

She stayed silent, eyes down.

Answer me!

Three months.

Three months of constant nagging, provocations.

So thats why, David said slowly. You were pushing me out, making me feel guilty.

I never wanted to hurt you, Eleanor whispered. I just found someone else and turned our life into a nightmare.

He packed his things in twenty minutes. Max was nearby, watching.

Dave, are you leaving?

David sat on the floor, took Maxs shoulders.

Max, Ill always be here. You call, Ill be there. Well still see each other like before.

Promise?

I promise.

But Eleanor wasnt done. A week later she called.

Dont ever talk to my son again.

What? Ellie, are you serious?

If you try, Ill take you to court. Youre nobody to him. No rights.

Her tone was cold, detached, as if he were just a void.

Ive raised him for eight years!

And what? Youre not his dad. Legally hes not yours.

She hung up.

David tried calling Max, but the line was dead. He texted, got no reply. After three days a short message appeared: Mum said I cant talk to you. Sorry.

David missed the boy whod become like a son. Time kept moving.

One evening the phone rang from an unknown number while he was cooking.

Dave? Its me.

Max! Thank God, Im so glad to hear your voice!

Im an adult now. Mum cant stop me anymore.

They met at a café. Max had grown taller, shoulders broader, but his dark, serious eyes were the same.

Hows life?

Surviving, the young man chuckled. Mums always on my case. She says you ruined her.

Me?

Yeah, she says Im out of control because I dont take her men. Thats my problem.

A month later Max called at two in the morning.

I cant take it any more, I left home. Can I crash at yours?

Of course, come over.

Eleanor was furious, shouting, crying, begging him to return. He ignored her calls. Their contact dwindled to occasional holiday wishes.

By twentytwo Max had changed completely. He started calling David Dad. He got a small flat not far away.

Dad, I want to buy a car, he said recently. Can you help me pick one?

Absolutely.

They spent a Saturday touring dealerships, debating the pros and cons, just like the good old days.

Then David met Helen. She was an accountant, loved cooking and reading.

I have an adult son, he told her straight away. Not my own, but he means the world to me.

Helen smiled.

I love kids. You think we could meet?

Max was a bit wary at first, but Helen never tried to replace his mum or come between him and David. She just showed up with hearty meals and jokes.

Shes lovely, Max said. Not like my mum.

They married quietly, no big ceremony. Helen was pregnant six months later.

Youll be a dad again, she said, holding the test.

David was fortyfive. He stared at the two lines and could barely believe it.

Really?

Really.

Max cheered just as loudly.

Im getting a little brother or sister! Thats awesome, Dad!

You okay with that?

Max made a funny grimace.

Why would I be against it? Im thrilled for you. You deserve it.

He helped assemble a cot, paint the walls. They truly became a family.

Eleanor never stopped sending nasty messages. David blocked her numbers, but she kept creating new ones.

I dont get why shes so angry, he confessed to Helen one night. I never did anything wrong. I just loved Max.

Shes mad because she lost control, Helen replied. Max chose you. She cant forgive that.

But Im not at fault!

No, youre a real dad to him.

Life settled. A baby was on the way, sleepless nights were ahead, first steps and first words. And Max, now a grown man, still called David Dad and was ready to be the best big brother ever.

Eleanor could say whatever she liked. David knew the truth. He hadnt taken her son away; hed simply loved the boy and kept looking after him. And he still does, even now that Max is an adult. If any of this were a crime, hed be ready to face the consequences.