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This isn’t something I ever planned to have to discuss with our daughter, but it’s the right decision. Lee and I were becoming miserable together. She deserves a good role model for a relationship and that isn’t us.
“Why does she automatically assume I did something? What the hell?” I say, picking over my shrimp.
“She has always been a daddy’s girl, Nessa. You didn’t think this break-up was going to be smooth, did you? It never is when kids are involved.”
We finish eating in silence, and after twenty-minutes, I go upstairs and try to get her to talk to me. The door is locked, and she doesn’t answer when I knock. I slide down the door, until my butt is on the hardwood floor.
“Sherrie, this is going to be hard for you. Please don’t shut me out, baby.”
Her sobs are loud, and I just want to embrace her and tell her everything is going to be okay. Maybe I should give her some space.
“I’m gonna go home. Dad will be up shortly to tuck you in.”
I wipe my nose, and walk downstairs, finding Lee in the living room, his arm splayed out across the back of the couch. He waves at me to take a seat, and I lean into him, using his shirt as a tear catcher. He puts his arm around me, and just lets me cry. We might not be together, but for ten years, he was my person. He took care of me when I was sick and that doesn’t all fade away.
“This is a lot to process. It’s hard for me, too, but you deserve someone to give you everything you need. As much as I wanted to be that guy, we just aren’t right for each other. Sherrie is too young to understand right now, but give her a couple years, and once she sees you are not able to wipe a smile off your face, then she will.”
This transition is hard enough without having my daughter hate me. She can see her father whenever she wants and we still love her. Tonight, she needs space and that’s what I’m going to do.
“I’m going to leave her here with you. Can you take her to school tomorrow?” I ask, inching away from Lee on the couch.
He nods, and brushes my arm. “It’ll get better. Trust me.”
I get off the couch and grab my keys off the table. “I’ll talk to you soon, Lee.”
Closing the door behind me makes this situation even more surreal. This house we lived together in for ten years, it’s not my home anymore.
I get into my car and turn on the ignition before texting Tina.
Me: I’m just now heading home. Rain check.
After everything tonight, I don’t want company, just a bottle of wine.
Will my daughter ever forgive me?
6
BRODIE
The clank of air tanks bounce off the bay walls as they are being stored away in the cabinets. Jeremy and Damon are dragging the hoses out for inspection. We didn’t have any calls today, which I’ll never complaint about. The cleaning supplies are burning my nostrils, but sometimes the Fire Chief goes a little overboard with this place. He wants everything to be clean, and in tip top shape. Once a week, we are required to do a full inspection of all equipment and clean from top to bottom. Not everyone pitches in, but it keeps me busy, so I don’t mind doing it.
We have Jeremy’s surprise birthday dinner tonight and I’ve been trying to keep my mouth shut. It’s harder than you think, keeping something from someone you work closely with like this. He has no idea though, and in fact hasn’t even mentioned his birthday all day.
“So, you got everything ready for the baby?” I ask, just trying to keep myself from saying anything.
There is some part of me that is jealous, but it’s just not my time yet.
“Can’t believe we only have two months left. Tessa has been a damn trooper, too. No morning sickness, but she is addicted to sour candy,” Damon replies.
Children have always been a part of my future, and once I find the right woman, everything will fall into place. I just need to stop searching, and let her come to me.
Liam and the other guys walk through the door, and start laughing.
“You guys need French maid outfits,” Liam says, heading to the locker room.
Sometimes, I forget that Jeremy has only been here a year, and thankfully Eli doesn’t work here anymore. The constant bullshit everyone had to listen to from that guy. Sure, Jeremy was dating his sister, but this is your job. Leave that crap at the door.
“It’s time for us to get out of here. No idea what Raquel has planned for tonight. She woke me up with breakfast in bed. Hell, she even drove me to work today,” Jeremy says.
