Heart and Desire (boyxboy)

Chapter Eighteen

Oli's POV:

Of all the moments in my life, no moment has ever felt more significant than the one I was in right now. Sitting beside Rick in a low-backed plastic chair, I scrutinized the white walls of the waiting room. Greenish-yellow splodges seeped from the corners of the ceiling and outdated posters with fraying corners were plastered on the walls, catching my attention in the otherwise dull room. The quiet hum of the television filled the room, masking the stench of sweet anticipation. Rick's hand moved to cover mine and I turned my head to look at him. His protruding stomach seemed more prominent as he sat in the plastic chair, and his grey-speckled hair had been combed back and gelled. He was wearing a white shirt and black suit trousers with a plain black tie. When I'd complimented his attire, Rick had claimed that he needed to make a good impression on the solicitor, but I knew he was also dressing up to impress Rachel; although he'd never admit it, Rick had always been infatuated with her. In my skinny jeans and t-shirt, I felt under-dressed and out of place.

I anxiously awaited my mother's arrival, knowing that today would be the last time I'd have to see her. The thought made me smile. Comfortingly, Rick squeezed my hand and gave me a lop-sided grin, which I returned.

"You okay, kiddo?" He asked, eyes flickering nervously in the direction of the solicitor's office.

"I'm a little scared," I admitted, biting my lip, "The last time I saw her..." I trailed off. Rick knew what I meant.

"It will be fine. She'll sign some documents, then she'll be out of our hair. It will be rather simple since I'm your biological father." Rick explained. I nodded in understanding though I still dreaded seeing my mother.

Abruptly ending the conversation, the gentle chime of the small, golden bell which hung above the front door announced my mother's arrival. Soon, she'd no longer be my mother. I was shocked to see that she looked exactly the same, but it wasn't really all that shocking. Rachel showed no sign of remorse or sorrow at giving me up today. In fact, she looked rather content. Ours eyes met as she scanned the room, but she quickly shifted her gaze. Rick and I silently watched her sign in at the reception desk, just as our solicitor emerged from his office.

"Sorry for the wait, gentlemen." The solicitor, Mr Ahmed, addressed Rick and I, then noticed my mother hovering by the front desk, "Ah, you must be Rachel Keaton. Do come in."

The lobster-red flustered man ushered us into his office, extending his hand towards my mother for a firm, hurried handshake as she passed him. Nervously, Rick and I stood up, following Mr Ahmed and Rachel into the office. It was a large office with grey walls and four velvet cushioned chairs tucked in around a circular table.  I noticed straight away that there were multiple documents lying on the desk, ready for signing. A few pages were sticky-noted, others were dog-eared. I marveled over the simplicity of handing over custody of a child.

I was instructed to sit in the chair in between Rick and Rachel, opposite Mr Ahmed. Plush and inviting, the chair held the promise of comfort as I nestled into it. For the most part, I remained a silent on-looker, barely following the conversation that was happening around me. A lot of legal terminology was used, some of which I'd learned in my A-Level Law class. Rachel explained the situation to Mr Ahmed, from the moment she got on the plane to Australia to the moment Rick turned up asking for custody. She conveniently forgot to add in the part where she kicked me out because of my sexuality.

A few hours later, we emerged from the stuffy room. I swallowed down a gulp of fresh air, relishing in the pure smell of the waiting room; half way through the meeting, Mr Ahmed's face had flushed a deep crimson, his uncomfortable posture accompanied by a sulphuric stench which had shrouded the confined room. Gross.