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Benton swiped through more photos before he handed back the phone. “That’s a good-looking kid.”
“I know,” I said, a note of pride to my voice.
“How’s Laura?”
“Happy. Already talking about the second one.”
“You want another one?” he asked.
I gave a nod. “Wouldn’t mind it.”
“So, you still hate kids?” He grinned, enjoying the taunt.
I took a drink and ignored what he said.
“That’s what I thought.”
“It was hard in the beginning. Living in a new place. Stepping down at work. Having nothing to do. But it got easier.”
“And Demetri gives you a new kind of purpose.”
“Yeah…he does.”
“How long are you in town?”
“Just for a couple days. Have to manage a few things. I would have brought them with me, but Demetri is so young, it’s easier to keep him in one place.”
“I understand,” he said. “Well, I’m happy for you.” He clapped me on the shoulder. “I never imagined you as a husband and father, but now I can’t imagine you being anything but.”
I sat at the table alone, a cup of coffee in front of me along with some scones I wouldn’t eat. My eyes immediately went to them when they walked in the door. There were four of them, a mother and father with two grown kids.
Some of them were married, so they’d brought their spouses along.
They gathered at a table, ordered their coffees and pastries, and soon the table erupted into loud bursts of laughter.
I sat there and watched it all.
A life that could have been mine.
When I looked at my father, I saw features similar to my own, but I had my mother’s eyes. They were both tall, so it was hard to tell whose height I’d inherited. Eventually, the waitress brought out a small cake with a single candle in the middle.
They sang happy birthday.
The cake ended up in front of my father.
They all sang, and then he blew out the candles. He turned fifty-five.
Their evening eventually wrapped up, and after presents were opened, they left the table and gathered outside to say their goodbyes. His son and his wife left. Then his daughter walked off.
It was just the two of them.
I left my table and walked outside. They seemed to be waiting for a cab because their apartment was several blocks away. My mother raised her arm to get the attention of a taxi, but he drove right by.
I moved to the edge of sidewalk, raised my hand, and immediately got a cab to pull over. I opened the back door and held it open for them. “You guys take it.”
“Oh, that’s so nice,” my mother said. “But we couldn’t.”
“Please,” I said as I stepped out of the way. “Happy birthday.”
