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“Wait a minute. That conference is usually sold out months in advance. How did you get two tickets in such short notice?” I asked.
“I just need to know if you want to go and, if so, leave the rest to me.”
“Of course, I would. It’s the Mecca of software inventions.”
“Then, say no more. I will get Shalonda to email you an itinerary for our trip and we’re out of here.”
“Montie, this is too freaking much. I will owe you one after this, for sure.”
“I only have one request.”
“What’s that?”
“That you think of a creative way to thank me with those pretty brown lips of yours.”
I smile so wide that my face hurts. “You have a deal.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Montie
Don’t Look Back.
We’re Not Going That Way
“Hey Montie, this is Destiny! I was just calling because Montie Jr.’s team will be in the championship game this weekend. It’s All State for soccer. He really would love for you to be there, so it would be great if you could fly in. When you get a chance, give me a call back...”
My luggage was scattered about my bedroom. Lissa and I were leaving for Japan in a matter of hours. The training conference wasn’t offered again until the end of the year, and the impending time alone with Lissa was the only thing that kept me going for the past week. I would have chosen the next conference date had I known my son was going to be playing for the all state championship. Why the hell was Destiny just telling me about Junior’s final game? Argh.
I slammed the suitcase in my hand down onto the bed and dialed her back. Before she could answer the phone good, I let into her. “Destiny, what’s the deal with you just telling me about Junior’s game? I have training out of the country this weekend. If you would have told me sooner, I would have made other arrangements. Now, my flight is booked for Japan in just a few hours!”
“Montie, I didn’t kno—”
“Nah, this long-distance shit with my children is getting played out already. When exactly did you plan to tell me about the game? That’s all I want to know, unless you planned to tell me when it was too late for me to come anyway.”
“Montie, we didn’t know they were going to make it to the championship until the game yesterday and that’s when I left you a message. I told you last month that all the games they were playing up until yesterday would determine if they made all state. You haven’t come to any of the other games, so I figured it’s not a big deal if you can’t make it to this one.”
“Not a big deal! Not a fucking big deal. Do you think it’s not a big deal that I know my son is one game away from all state?” I took a deep breath and sat down
on the bed. I rubbed my temples and looked on the picture of my children hanging on the wall to channel in whatever calm I had left. “Destiny, I call bullshit. I’m beyond pissed that I didn’t know about this earlier. I know you have your nice little family thing going on, but you must remember that I am his one and only father. I, first and foremost, should know about anything that my kids have going on.”
“Well, Montie. I’m glad that you point out that you are his father, because you’re not acting like it. You have gone back to your old work habits and it’s gotten to the point where you don’t answer the phone for us anymore. You are too busy, just like you were when we were married. I call, but I get your voice message. I don’t always leave a message, but your kids are Facetiming you and attempting to Skype you and you’re too busy to answer. So, before you hop down off your high horse and talk junk about how I’m handling our co-parenting relationship, make sure you answer your phone every time you see my number. If not, you need to be replying quickly. If you miss a Facetime you need to return promptly. You’re not the only one not getting their fair share of communication. What about you telling me that you’re leaving for Japan in a few hours? Don’t you think I should know whether my children’s father is in Atlanta or Japan?”
“Destiny, you know more than one way to get in touch with me. If we lived in the same city, I’d be seeing my kids more often. I would know what was going on with them, and you would know what’s going on with me.”
She sniffled and my tone softened. “We can communicate by phone, Montie.”
“I just want to be at every game possible. Is that too much to ask? From now on coordinate everything through Shalonda. She has my schedule and she will make sure I don’t miss a beat with my kids. It’s important to me that this work, but we both have to do our part.”
“Fine,” she sounded as if the breath had been knocked out of her lungs.
We both sat on the line quiet for the next minute.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to come off as rude, Destiny. I’m just overwhelmed with you guys being in Miami. I have gotten back into working extra hours to fill my time. That’s because I’m trying to stay sane.” Lissa’s big smile crossed my mind; she was my peace in this tumultuous storm.
“Montie, I’ll make sure to coordinate Junior’s events through Shalonda going forward. That way you will know when and where the games are. Some are based on how well the team does, though.”
“Thank you.”
