Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36691 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36691 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
“How are your grades?” I ask, trying to change the subject, even though I know he’s a straight A student.
“Good. I’m ready for school to be over.”
“I used to feel the same way. And then summer wasn’t ever long enough.”
“Nope.” The puppy comes into view, kissing Mack’s face.
“He’s really cute.”
“If you were here, I’d ask if we could get a dog.”
“Yeah, we kind of talked about it for a bit but never really did anything about it. I guess in hindsight that’s a good thing.”
“I guess. I gotta go. I told Mr. Powell I’d mow the lawn and I still need to work on some commands with this fluff ball. Say hi to your Uncle Nick,” Mack says in a baby voice. “Noah’s been here a lot too.”
“That’s good. Are you spending a lot of time with him?”
Mack nods. “He did say I could go to his place for the summer if I wanted. He said his dad can be kind of annoying, but I don’t think he is. Liam’s helped me a lot.”
“That’s good. I’m happy.”
“Yeah, all right. Love ya, Dad.”
“Love ya too, bud.” Only Mack doesn’t hear me because he’s ended the call.
I sit there and stew until Amelie’s out of the shower. After tucking her in, I head for the kitchen and grab a beer from the refrigerator. When I first moved out, I made sure to keep any alcohol out of the house, out of fear Aubrey would use it against me. At this point, I don’t care. And it’s not like Amelie is awake to tell her mother, and I’m definitely not getting black out drunk.
After a couple of swigs, I pick up the phone and call Aubrey. She picks up on the third ring, sounding out of breath. Gee can’t imagine what she’s doing.
“Busy?”
“No,” she says, but I can tell she’s lying.
“Why aren’t you calling Mack?”
“Excuse me?”
“I didn’t stumble over my words, Aubrey. Mack says you haven’t spoken in a while, what gives?”
“I text him.”
“That’s not the same. He needs to see your face, hear your voice.”
“And he would if you didn’t allow him to stay in Beaumont.”
“Do you really want to talk about why we’re not in Beaumont?”
Silence.
“Yeah, I didn’t think so.”
“I feel like you’re trying to scold me or something, Nick. I’m sorry I’m not as perfect as you when it comes to our son.”
“Stop,” I tell her. “Stop with the gaslighting. Just call your son. Let him know you’re okay, that you’re happy. Let him see your life here so he understands why you made this decision without thinking about him.”
“That’s not fair, Nick, and you know it. You’re turning him against me.”
“I’m not, Aubrey. We rarely talk about you. If you think he’s distant, it’s because you’re not putting in the effort with him.”
“Well, the effort goes both ways.”
“Not when you’re sixteen and you're navigating life without your parents, knowing they’re going through a divorce. Call your son, Aubrey.” I hang up, wondering if I’ve done the right thing. It would be so easy to push this all under the rug, to not encourage her to reach out to him. But I can’t do that to Mack. He and Amelie are innocent in all of this. They didn’t ask their parents to get a divorce or to move away. Adults making rash decisions and not fully thinking about the ramifications did. I get that Aubrey wants to live where she grew up. It makes sense. And I understand she wants her children or at least one of them with her. I’d want the same, but not at the expense of their happiness.
I finish the beer, lock up, and turn off the lights. In bed, I stare at the ceiling, still waiting for it to fall on me some night. Hopefully, I hear it start to crumble before that happens. Who knows what’s up there, living and breeding. The thought makes me shudder.
13
It’s Aubrey’s week to have Amelie, but instead my daughter and Talisa walk into my apartment. I mute the television and instantly rush to Amelie. I give her a once over, looking for bumps, bruises, or scrapes before asking why she’s not with her mom. Believe me, it’s not that I don’t want her with me because I do. It’s more that her mother will have the biggest freak out and she’s the one I don’t want to deal with.
“Mrs. Ashford has company for dinner,” Talisa says. “Ms. Amelie didn’t want to stay and asked that I bring her here.”
Amelie nods, looks over her shoulder and up at Talisa. “What she said.”
“Who’s at the house?” I ask.
“Mommy’s new boyfriend.”
My heart sinks for Amelie, knowing this is the first time Aubrey’s brought him over when Amelie’s there. I sensed things were moving along and they were ready to move in with each other when she brought a few of my items over that I left there, but I’ve not actually asked Aubrey if my instinct is correct. I have done my absolute best to stay out of her life, to let her live it, as long as Amelie isn’t affected. Honestly, I’m surprised Aubrey waited this long to introduce them. If what my director says is right, they’ve been engaged for a while and dating well beyond that. Maybe my ex is trying to save face with her daughter.