Uncharted Territory

"I'm so sorry," Ashley said, apologizing profusely, her eyes darting to Avan, hoping he was still unbothered by Ender's sudden comment. Ender looked up at her, his eyes sparkling with mischief, and Ashley couldn't help but wonder what was going through his mind. "I'll just tell you random things," she added, trying to deflect attention from the awkward situation. Avan raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement dancing on his lips. He seemed to sense that Ashley was trying to steer the conversation in a different direction, and he went along with it, his eyes never leaving hers. Ender, however, seemed fixated on Avan. He looked at him again, his gaze piercing, and asked, "How do you know my mommy?" His voice was innocent, but there was a hint of curiosity that made Ashley's heart skip a beat. Avan's expression turned thoughtful, and he leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving Ender's face. "Well, Ender, your mommy and I have been friends for a long time," he said, his voice gentle. "We work together, and we've gotten to know each other over the years." Ender's eyes narrowed, his brow furrowing in concentration. "What do you do with my mommy?" he asked, his voice filled with a sense of wonder. Ashley felt a pang of anxiety, unsure of how much to reveal about their relationship. She glanced at Avan, hoping he would take the lead in answering Ender's questions. Avan smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Your mommy and I work on projects together, Ender," he said. "We help people, and we make sure they're safe and happy." Ender nodded, seeming to accept Avan's explanation. But Ashley could sense that he was still curious, still probing for more information. She watched, feeling a mix of emotions, as Ender continued to question Avan about his relationship with her. As they sat there, the atmosphere in the room began to shift, becoming more relaxed. Ender seemed to be accepting Avan, and Ashley felt a sense of relief wash over her. Maybe, just maybe, this was going to be okay after all. But just as things were starting to settle down, Ender dropped another bombshell. "My daddy used to take me to the park," he said, his voice filled with a sense of nostalgia. "I wish he was here now." The room fell silent, and Ashley felt her heart ache with sympathy for Ender. She glanced at Avan, hoping he would know what to say, how to respond to Ender's words. And as she looked at him, she saw a deep well of compassion and understanding in his eyes, a sense that he was ready to be there for Ender, no matter what.