Page 111 of The Man I Hate

“Kids get in the way of living life,” he muttered.

It seemed like an inconsiderate thing to say, considering Braxton was willing to pick him up from the hospital, take care of him, and run to get his prescriptions.

“I don’t know about that,” I replied. “Can you imagine life without Braxton?”

“I dream about it sometimes. Then, I have a nightmare. One where he’s still around. Snatches me right out of my sleep in a cold sweat.”

I turned off the clippers and stepped in front of him. “That’s crap,” I argued. “And you know it.”

He let out a heavy sigh. “Kids are like big feet. They’re with you for a lifetime no matter how much you hate looking at ‘em.”

“You’re evil,” I said.

He grinned. “Thank you.”

Like most women, my early dreams included having children. The hope faded a little with each failed relationship. When I passed my mid-thirties, I wondered if it would ever happen. After my divorce, I felt fortunate that I wasn’t another single mother raising children without a father in their lives.

“When I was younger, I wanted children,” I admitted. “Looking back on things now, I can’t think of anyone I’d liked to have had them with. I guess it wasn’t meant to be. Back to my understanding life comment. It’s not always easy.”

He patted the side of his head. “It sure isn’t.”

After a few more careful swipes of the clippers, I was nearly done. Using the comb as a guide, I blended the sides of his hair to the top. After snipping a few stray strands, everything looked good.

I handed Hap the mirror. “Well?”

He held the mirror in one hand while brushing the palm of his free hand up each side of his head. “Looks good, feels good,” he said with a nod. “You did a fine job.”

I took the mirror and removed his cape, being careful not to get hair on him. “Thank you.”

He brushed his hands against the thighs of his pants and then looked up. “When this virus is over, are you staying or going back to Oklahoma?”

Of all the things he could have asked, I wish he wouldn’t have asked that. It was a tough question to answer, truthfully. I’d like to think I’d be staying but had no idea how things with Braxton might change once the stay at home order was lifted.

“I haven’t decided,” I replied.

“What’s preventing you from deciding?”

The sound of Braxton’s SUV caught my attention. I found his arrival ironic.

“Uncertainty,” I replied.

He cocked his head to the side and raised his brows. “Of what?”

I didn’t want to admit that things might not last between Braxton and me, therefore, I didn’t care to answer the question.

The front door opened. I glanced at Braxton, forced a smile, and then looked at Hap.

He met my gaze, held it for a second, and then patted me on the shoulder. “No need to respond,” he said. “You just gave me all the answer I need.”

Braxton

The three of us stood at the dining room table, eyeing the “Welcome Home” meal Anna prepared. Hap had been acting like he had a burr up his ass since I got home from the pharmacy. I hoped the homecooked meal brought him out of his bad mood.

Anna gestured toward the food. “We better start before it gets cold.”

I kissed Anna. “Thank you.”

Hap’s favorite meal was roast with carrots, onions and potatoes. He demanded my mother serve it with quartered yellow potatoes and mashed potatoes with gravy. Anna had done her best to replicate the meal, even baking homemade bread for him to mop up the gravy with.