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Sunday morning rolls around,and for the first time since losing Katherine, something just seems right in my life. Sure, I have the teach still pissed as hell at me, and Charis has no idea what I have in store for her, but fuck—I have hope.
I turn over my phone, and it’s not quite 8:00 a.m. And I remember Alan isn’t bringing Jett home until this evening. The extended time I’ve allowed with Jett and his grandpa was never supposed to go on this long. I’ve let it happen because Alan misses his daughter, as Jett misses his mum, and I long for another day with my divorced wife, who grew to be my best friend after our marriage ended.
But I’ve never wanted Alan to become his caretaker, and it’s what I’ve allowed. Sure, I work long hours, but sometimes I do that just because I’m lonely and don’t want to come home to my large house all by myself.
And there’s Jett. Would Katherine approve of all the time I’ve allowed with Alan? At first, sure, but after a year, probably not.
I type out a message to Alan, telling him I’m coming by early to get my son, and that we need to talk. It’s easy to let Al take on some of the brunt, because being a single parent fucking sucks. Even if it means time away from what I have planned with the lovely nurse and one pissed off teacher, being a dad comes first.
My phone rings and then my heart sinks at Alan’s name. I’d not wanted a confrontation with him today, but it’s what this phone call most likely will be.
“Hey, Al, I’m about to get in the shower. Want to meet for breakfast somewhere?” I ask, my tone upbeat, until his anger is palpable over my mobile.
“What the hell? We had plans today, Stone.” It wouldn’t hurt to spend the day with my ex-father-in-law to make amends with him, for Jett. I’m certainly not his favorite person.
“Oh, I see. Well, I don’t want to ruin your plans. Mind if I tag along? It’s just that…”
What can I say, I’m getting my head out of my arse, because I’m finally able to stand up to you over what’s happened in the past. And though I thought I was doing the right thing, I was doing what was easy by not rocking the boat, ultimately having time to myself.
I don’t finish the sentence—but go a different route. “What did you have planned for today?” Again, I’m upbeat, but I could hang the moon, and it wouldn’t matter to Alan Wesley.
“We were going to walk the trails behind my house. It’s so pretty. Jett wanted to ride his bike and stop at the ice cream shop on the way back.” I wonder if he thinks his gruff voice is going to sway me in my decision.
“I’d love to be a part of your day. As a matter of fact, let me buy you both breakfast, and we can go afterward.”
He stutters through the line but reluctantly agrees. It’s funny how the right people in your life can remind you, unbeknownst to them, what’s most important. I miss Katherine every day, but she’d want me to start living again. Taking the reins of our own child’s upbringing is the first step, along with finding the right people to fill some of my loneliness. Now, it’s time to convince these two, who have stolen my heart—they’re more than worth it.
