“Is that all?”
“Well, considering we haven’t decided on where we should live, no, it’s not.”
“Why do you keep sayingwe? I still don’t remember who said we were living together.”
“It just makes sense, Sydney.”
“So does waiting to have children after you’re married, but we didn’t do that either, and we don’t have to do this. Now, I have to get back to work. Some of us have to make money, Mark.”
“You don’t have to work. I can support us.”
I make a gagging noise and then shake my head. “Have a good night, Mark.”
“Sydney, we aren’t done talking.”
“Yes, we are,” I shout and then yell “corner” as I make my way into the kitchen.
Well damn, my baby’s father has lost his mind.
This is a wonderful start to the future.
Mark
I’m two for two in striking out with Sydney in conversation this week. I really don’t know why I can’t figure out what to say to her. Hell, when she was putting me in my place last night, the way she used to do all the time, I couldn’t help but smile.
I didn’t intend to show up at her work and get her all riled up, but damn, I didn’t realize how much I missed her quick wit or how she isn’t afraid to talk back to me.
I’m used to people agreeing with me, but not Sydney.
Should I like that?
My life feels like it’s falling apart, but when I was with her last night, even if it didn’t go as I hoped, being near her felt right.
God. My mind is messed up.
Sure, yeah, it’s fine to fall for my baby’s mother, but right now isn’t exactly the time to ask her on a date. I need her to want to be my friend again first.
I need a new game plan when it comes to Sydney. I’m the father and I have rights, but I want this to work with us. I want us to co-parent on our terms and be damn good at it. I want our child to have parents who get along and can be at events together without fighting.
I want what I didn’t get as a kid.
I enter the password on my laptop and pull an assignment from one of my classes. School is the one place that is smooth sailing right now.
My mind is lost in studying when my phone buzzes next to me. My father’s name appears, and I can hear him before I even answer.What’s the point of owning a cell phone if you aren’t going to answer it or text someone back?
I’ve been ignoring his calls for a few weeks now. Heck, I was ignoring them before it dawned on me that no matter what I say to him, there is a slight,slightchance I might not be back in Manhattan as soon as we planned, and he is not going to be happy about it.
It’s not that I’m trying to hide anything. I know what outcome that will lead to, but I don’t know what words to say to him. I made a deal with him before I moved out here, and even if I hadn’t, I want the job he’s offering me. I want to be in Manhattan. Raising a kid there would be pretty sweet too. But that only works if the baby’s mom is on board.
That part . . . yeah, that’s going to be tricky.
I stand.
I sit.
I stand again and start to pace.
“Hey, Dad,” I answer before the phone stops ringing.
