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Sebastian seems miserable. He’s unusually quiet. No sexcapade stories. None of his normal swagger. It’s bad.
Kevin and Claudia are currently arguing the merits of voluntary and involuntary farts.
Claudia shakes her head. “Your farts are worse because you do it on purpose. I at least attempt to hold mine in and take care of business discreetly.”
Kevin gives her an incredulous look. “I so love it when I’m spooning you in the middle of the night and you rip one right onto me.”
“I don’t do it on purpose. I’m asleep. You birth two children and then let me know if all your systems are in perfect working order. Mine are involuntary. Yours are voluntary. It’s so much worse. You don’t care that I’m lying right next to you.”
“That’s marriage.”
“Is it also marriage to go to the bathroom without bothering to close the door? I don’t need to hear the nightmare going on in there. Why would you want me to hear it? Don’t you want me to be attracted to you? I would never subject you to that.”
“That’s what guys do.” He looks at me. “Right?”
I chuckle at their interaction. I’ve missed this. I haven’t smiled this much in a year. It feels good.
“I’m staying out of your marital farting and bathroom habits conversation.”
Claudia giggles. “I suppose we can shelve this for another time.”
Kevin leans over. “I’m telling you, herinvoluntaryfarts are deadly. Worse than Sebastian’s one-hour stints in locker room bathrooms before each game.”
I smile and look at Sebastian, who has been in outer space all night. He’s not even listening to the conversation. His face is void of expression.
He excuses himself to the bathroom. I ask Kevin and Claudia about it. “What’s wrong with him?”
Kevin just shakes his head. “He’s been a wreck for a while now.”
Claudia smirks. “He had it coming. About six months ago, he went to Lindsay and begged her to take him back. She told him he was too late. I’m so proud of her for that. She dated a man for a few months, but that fizzled. She’s finally going on dates though. I’m happy she’s moved on. In all honesty, I’m happy she stuck it to him. He deserved the rejection.”
Sebastian is my best friend, but I can’t disagree with Claudia. “Do you still see her?”
Claudia nods. “Yes. All the time. She’s one of my best friends. That didn’t change just because Sebastian is an asshole.”
I can’t help but smile. I love Claudia’s fierce loyalty.
Kevin shakes his head. “I don’t think he’s sleeping around anymore.”
“Wow. That’s shocking.”
Kevin nods. “It is. I think he sees all his friends with families and realizes he may have missed the boat. Speaking of families, how are your kids managing?”
I shrug. “Confused. I don’t blame them. I’m confused too. I’m just happy Gabriela did the right thing in the end. It cost me a fortune to get her off daddy’s payroll, but I don’t care. We’re back where we belong. I bought her a house near mine so the kids can go back to their school starting next week.”
“And Beth?”
I shake my head. “Not good. She told me we’re done and to stay out of her life.” I stare off for a moment before turning back to them. “She’s changed. She’s bitter about everything. She’s bitter toward me. I thought we had a breakthrough the other day, but then she turned cold and slapped me.”
Claudia scoffs. “Can you blame her?”
“No, I suppose not. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but her coldness wasn’t it. It’s out of character. I spoke with her sister. She’s said Beth has been in a bad place since I left. I thought I was doing right by her handling things as I did. Perhaps I was wrong.”
She nods. “You should have told her the truth. I offered to do it for you.”
“I know, and I appreciate it, but I couldn’t ask her to put her life on hold. I didn’t know when or if I’d be back.”
She gives me a compassionate look.
