Page 14 of Succeeding Love
That’s what all those other bags were for. I thought Jessie was just being lazy.
“No, that’s alright. Do you know what he did with the bags that they came in?”
“Trash,” Preston murmured. “I can return them back to the bags if you want.”
“And leave them in the trash?” I chuckled. “No, baby. It’s fine. I’ll give them back to your dad tomorrow.” I grabbed a large tote bag from under my bed and stuffed the wrapped presents into it. Preston helped, and soon my bed was clear.
“I think dad’s trying to get you back,” Preston said warily.
“No. He’s with Arlene, and your dad doesn’t change his mind when he’s made it up. You know that.”
“Then what’s with the cheesecake, gifts and that bullshit about the condo?”
I overlooked the curse word slip, because I could tell Preston was about to get heated.
“He’s just trying to remain friends. We still have to co-parent Preston. Would you rather your father was mean to me?”
“I would rather he just left you alone.”
I sighed, sitting on the edge of my bed. Preston plopped down beside me, and I rested my head on his shoulder. “Your dad isn’t a bad man. He made some choices for himself, but he is still your dad, and you only have one.”
Preston pursed his lips, and I could tell he was coming up with some smart-mouth rebuttal. It made me grin.
“You could start dating again. Get me a step-dad.”
“Please,” I rolled my eyes. “I have you and Jessie, and then there’s Kevin. That’s all I need.”
~
Nick
“Where have you been?” Arlene asked the moment I walked into the apartment. I didn’t even set my keys down, and she already had that look on her face, ready for an argument.
“Please don’t start with this again. I’m not in the mood. Where do you think I was?” I muttered, sitting on a chair by the front door to untie my shoes. I hate taking off my shoes anywhere but the bedroom, but Arlene has a thing about shoes on her floors and rugs. Arlene has a thing about a lot of things. Everything. Things that I don’t have issues with, and never thought of being a criminal offense before. Arlene will put me on trial and run me through the coals for committing any of them.
Arlene narrowed her eyes on me. “It’s not Friday.”
“Does it have to be Friday for me to want to see my children?”
She strummed her fingers against her crossed arm, tapping her slippered toe. “Your visits have been excessive lately.”
Not this fight again.
“It’s not excessive. You don’t have kids, so you don’t understand.”
Her face crumbled, and I instantly regretted those words. Her inability to have children broke her marriage. I didn’t want more kids, so that never bothered me, but it still hurt Arlene.
Before I could apologize, she snapped, “I’d like my space tonight,” then started walking towards the bedroom.
I sat there, wondering for a second if I should go after her, but what’s the point?
Grabbing my shoes, I headed for the guest room, reaching for the bottle of Johnnie Walker on the way. It’s the only way I can get to sleep anymore.
I stripped to my shorts, then sat on the bed, using the glass rinsing cup from the bathroom, the one Arlene leaves for Jessie every weekend, to pour my first shot. Jessie hasn’t used this bathroom, or even been in this apartment in over a month now. She likely won’t be here tomorrow, either. By next week, Jessie won’t ever have to spend a second in this apartment again, and neither will I. I still don’t know how to handle things with Arlene since we work together, but I know I can’t stand living with her another second. She doesn’t seem very fond of living with me anymore, either.
I downed my first glass of whiskey, then poured my second before I began flipping through the channels to find something to get my mind off the failure of tonight.
“All those dreams died the moment you told me you didn’t love me anymore.”I felt those words like a blade. I was so stupid. So disillusioned back then. I thought I was leaving my mundane, boring life for excitement and freedom. I thought I was elevating myself to reach for higher goals. I have never been so wrong.