Page 66 of Double Doms


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STONE

“Alan.” I take in a long deep breath, exhaling as the screams continue on the other end of my mobile. Putting up with my father-in-law when I was married to Katherine was just part of putting her needs first. Then as we divorced, and I remained best friends with her, I dealt with his wrath, because again, it was easier on Katherine. I still want to respect the man, because I loved his daughter, but this has gone on long enough.

“Alan.” This time my tone is a little harsher, stopping his rampage on the other end. “Are you finished? Either you let me speak, or I’ll end the phone call, and that doesn’t solve our problem at hand.”

The line is quiet, but just as I’d done seconds earlier, he lets out a deep, cleansing breath. “Go ahead, Stone.” His voice is never laced with much emotion when I’m around. With his daughter, he was the most attentive father, being just Katherine and him when she was growing up. And with Jett, he’s the best grandpa. But, as I’ve made my decision, I have to remember he’s merely the grandpa and I’m the father.

“Listen, I’m not punishing you. You’ve helped me out a lot since losing Katherine. I’ve relied on you too much. I have to be the dad at the end of the day. Knowing he’s home, I’m not going to take another shift at the hospital or burn the candle at both ends. I still want you to have him, but you’re not his father. You shouldn’t worry about homework, or whether he’s taken his vitamins, or get him to his yearly check-up.”

There’s silence on the other end, as if he’s either hung up, or is waiting for more. “I get that. Believe me, I know a thing or two about being a single father myself. I wish I had in-laws to help me with Katherine, as you do.”

He’s so humble, too. I stifle a laugh at my words. “I’m grateful for you. Even though I’m not your favorite person.”

“Yeah, I won’t lie, Stone. I never liked you, not when you were married, and certainly not when you divorced my Katherine. But, at the end of the day, even with your eclectic lifestyle, you loved Katherine and you’re a great father to Jett.”

Are his words a compliment? I’m not sure. But I decide to accept them as just that. “Thanks, Alan. And if you want Jett more than once a week and twice a month on weekends, I’m reasonable. I don’t want the brunt of raising him on your shoulders. You’ve done that, and now it’s my job. And honestly, I look forward to it.”

He sighs on the other end of the phone. “You’re right. I should have come to you instead of stewing on this for so long, I blew up. Next time I will. Can I still have him this weekend?”

“Yes, of course you can. I’ll have him ready after football practice on Saturday.”

“Thanks, Stone. And if something comes up and you need me to stay overnight, I’ll come your way and stay with Jett. I’d rather do that than to let just some stranger do it.”

I let the statement go because Jett adores his new nanny. But I appreciate the offer. “Sure thing, and thanks.”

This has been a thing with him since I’ve changed Jett’s routine.

“Hey, Dad.” Jett comes skipping into the kitchen, as I pull out the cooked lamb and boiled potatoes for our dinner tonight. “You worked stuff out with Grandpa?”

My little buddy, as clever as his mum, hasn’t missed the rift between Alan and myself.

I sit down at the island and push the seat back for Jett. “Come here, buddy.” His eyes stay on the lamb in front of me. “Can I please have peanut butter and jelly instead?”

The kid would live on it if I allowed it. “Shepherd’s pie, with extra cheese, and no peas. How does that sound?”

He squishes his lips together, staring at the lamb. The chocolate cake grabs his attention. “And if I eat all of my food on my plate, I get your famous chocolate cake?”

Yeah, I know how to get my son to eat my Irish food. “Of course, buddy.” He shakes my hand, telling me we have an agreement. “So, you know your grandpa and I had a fight.”

He leans over to swipe a finger full of chocolate icing. “Duh, Dad. Of course, I know. Do you really think you can keep that from me?”

Yeah, he’s a smart-arse like me, too. A little too smart for his own good.

“It’s because I’m more clever than you think,” he adds.

He’s humble like me, too. “And for the record, I know exactly how clever you are.” I look at the lamb, knowing it will keep. “Hey, buddy, what do you think about getting out of here and having pizza for dinner?”

“No yucky Irish food, using chocolate cake to bribe me?” Ah, balls, this kid and his mouth.

“Nah, not tonight. I’ll tell you what, you can get pizza and we’ll come home for chocolate cake.”

He extends his hand, a large smile, so much like his mother’s. “Yeah, Dad, I like this idea so much better. Let’s do this.” And just like him, I like this plan more too.

* * *

I watchevery move Jett makes at the children’s pizza joint of hell I’ve brought him to tonight. “How did you get pulled into the hell of this place?” a familiar voice calls out to me, then sits across from me. “Hey, fancy meeting you here.” The gorgeous green eyes pull me in along with her bright smile.

“Hey, love. Now, that’s a good question. How did I end up here, instead of making a nutritious meal of Shepherd’s pie? I think I’m going soft. And what about you?”

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