Two
two
LITTLE WONDERS - ROB THOMAS
OWEN - OCTOBER 31, 2013
C ool air hits me as I walk out of the hospital. My mind is still back in the room with Callie and Ruby, but I need to focus. Barrett has been waiting for Halloween all week, and I promised him we’d go trick-or-treating like we always do.
When I reach the parking lot, I spot Adam standing near the entrance in a very heated argument with his girlfriend Katie. Great. I really don’t want to listen to this, it’s not my business, but there’s no other route I can take to get back to my truck. I turn to walk toward the outer edge of the parking lot to take the long way around when I catch part of their conversation.
“You need to get a paternity test for that baby, Adam. I don’t believe that baby is yours,” Katie says, her voice sharp and venomous.
I stop dead in my tracks, my chest tightening. Did she really just say that? My first instinct is to step in, to shut that shit down, but I hesitate. This isn’t my fight. Adam and I don’t know each other well, and what I do know of him I don’t like. Still, the urge to intervene is there, simmering down my skin.
Before I can decide what to do, Adam snaps.
“Katie, stop. You’ve got no right to say that,especially after everything that happened yesterday,” he says, his voice cracking slightly but still full of anger. “Ruby is my daughter. End of story. You need to leave.”
For a second it looks like Katie’s going to argue, but she just glares at him, then turns and storms off. The tension between them is thick, and it lingers in the air after she’s gone. Adam stands there for a moment, looking after her, possibly contemplating going after her. Instead, he stumbles over to a bench and sits down, his hands covering his face.
If I didn’t know what I know about Adam, I would feel bad for the guy. Yesterday was hell for all of us. I can only imagine what Callie must have been going through when Ruby came out, and she didn’t hear her cries. I know it was hard on him, too.
Adam and I have barely spoken more than a few words to each other. him. We ran into him two months ago at a Halestorm concert, and it took everything I had not to deck him. But right now… I don’t know. He looks like a guy who’s completely falling apart.
I could walk away. I’ve got my own problems, and I need to get to Barrett, but something makes me stay. Maybe it’s Ruby. Maybe it’s the fact that, like it or not, Adam’s tied to this family. I’m not sure. Taking a breath, I walk over to the bench, not sure if this is the right move or a mistake.
“Hey,” I say, keeping my tone neutral.
Adam doesn’t look up, just wipes his face and mutters, “What do you want?”
Okay, it's not exactly the warmest reception. I shove my hands in my pockets, standing there awkwardly. “You alright, man?”
It’s a stupid question, and I already know the answer. How could he possibly be alright? I let out a slow breath, glancing around the nearly empty parking lot. “Look, I’m just–”
“What?” he cuts me off, standing up abruptly. “You think you’ve got it all figured out? I don’t need your pity.”
My jaw tightens, but I don’t bite back. This isn’t about me. “I’m not offering pity. You have two beautiful little girls. Ruby’s here now. She is okay. She’s your daughter, and that’s what matters.”
Adam scoffs, pacing in front of the bench. “Yeah, and Katie’s already making it harder than it needs to be. She’s convinced Ruby isn’t mine.”
I can’t help but think he has something to do with why Katie might have an idea like that in her head but I say nothing. I don’t know Katie. I’ve maybe said two words to her in the three months Callie and I have been together. But making those kinds of accusations rubs me the wrong way. I get it.Adam and I are never going to be friends, but this is a fucking mess.
“You need to figure things out with her,” I say, my voice steady but firm. “Not for your sake, but for Ruby and Sara’s. They’re the ones who will be caught in the middle if you’re with someone who doesn’t treat them like they’re your children.”
Adam stops pacing and finally looks at me, his gaze steady and searching. For a moment, I brace myself for another outburst. Instead, he lowers himself onto the bench, his shoulders slumping as though the fight has drained every ounce of energy from him.
“I know,” he mutters, rubbing a hand over his face, the weariness in his voice unmistakable. “I just don’t know how to deal with this shit right now.”
For a second, I consider walking away, but something stops me. Maybe it’s the exhaustion I see in his face. Maybe it’s because we’re stuck with each other in this new blended family. “You don’t have to figure it all out right now,” I tell him. “But you can’t ignore it either.”
He stares at the ground and stays silent for a moment. “Yeah,” he finally says in a low voice. “I know.”
An awkward silence stretches between us. I glance at my phone, Barrett is waiting. He’s excited for Halloween and I can’t be late.
“I’m heading out,” I say, stepping back. “But if you need to talk, I’ll be back later tonight. I’m taking my son trick-or-treating.”
Adam doesn’t say a word, just gives a slight nod. I’m not expecting any thanks. I hope he pulls himself together—for my girls' sake.
When I pull up to Sabrina’s house, the late-afternoon sun dips low, casting long shadows across the street. Barrett is already at the door, his green dragon costume swallowing him whole. The hood with tiny horns bounces as he hops excitedly, and the spiked tail drags behind him on the porch steps. His bright orange pumpkin bucket dangles from his small hand as if he’s afraid to let go of it.
I look forward to spending this time with my son every fall. Thanks to the custody arrangement Sabrina and I worked out when we got divorced, Halloween is my holiday every year, while Easter belongs to Sabrina since her family is more likely to do something fun to celebrate. It’s a system that’s worked well enough, a small piece of order in a sea of chaos when it comes to co-parenting.
Earlier, I sent Sabrina a text asking if she would like to join us for trick-or-treating. She said she appreciated the thought but wasn’t feeling well enough to come along. Even through her text, I could sense a twinge of regret. I imagine she hates missing out on this every year just as much as I miss him every Easter. Perhaps we can come to a different arrangement next year.
Sabrina steps into view behind our son with her coffee mug in hand. She doesn’t step outside but gives me a quick wave as Barrett bolts down the steps, his little legs moving as fast as they can.
“Dad!” Barrett squeals, running straight into my arms.
“Hey, buddy!” I crouch down, lifting him in a big hug. “Look at you! The scariest dragon I’ve ever seen!”
Barrett pulls back to look at me, his wide grin framed by the drooping edges of his hood. “I’m not a scary dragon, Dad. I’m a nice dragon!”
“Oh, of course you are!” I say, laughing as I adjust the horns on his hood.
He giggles, then starts chattering about all the candy he’s going to get. I set him down and share the big news with him. “Hey, buddy, guess what? Callie had the baby!”
Barrett’s eyes widen. “She did? Is the baby here now?”
“She is,” I say, smiling. “Her name is Ruby. Callie couldn’t come tonight because she’s still at this hospital.. She wanted me to give you a big hug from her.”
I pull him in for another hug, squeezing him tight. He giggles and says, “Can you give her a hug from me, too?”
“You bet I will.”
Just as we’re about to leave, Sabrina steps onto the porch wrapping her free arm around herself watching Barrett bounce with excitement. “He’s been counting down the days to this all week. Just don’t let him eat too much candy before bed, okay?”
“Don’t worry,” I reply. “This dragon will be well-behaved. Right, Barrett?”
He nods quickly, flashing a goofy smile. “Yep! I’ll save some candy for tomorrow!”
Sabrina shakes her head with a faint smile. “Thanks, Owen. I really appreciate you taking him tonight. I’m sorry I can’t come. But I really do appreciate the offer. You didn’t have to do that.”
“Of course.” I glance down at Barrett. “Say bye to Mom, bud.”
“Bye, Mommy!” Barrett says, waving wildly as he grabs my hand.
“Have fun, sweetie. Be good for your dad.”
After a quick trip trick-or-treating through Sabrina’s neighborhood, we head back to the truck. Barrett insists we go to the big houses, the ones with the big blow-up decorations and, according to him, the bestest candy.
Sure enough, by the time we finish Barrett’s bucket is almost too heavy for him to carry. I take it from him as he starts dragging it along the sidewalk, his tired little legs slowing down. When I pull back into Sabrina’s driveway, he’s already half-asleep in his car seat, his hood slipping down over his eyes. I lift him carefully, his small body warm and limp against my chest. His dragon tail dangles as I grab his bucket from the back seat and carry him to the door.
Sabrina opens it immediately, her eyes softening when she sees him. “Looks like our little dragon had quite the adventure,” she says quietly.
“He did,” I reply, stepping inside and laying him down gently on the couch. “He even scored a full-sized candy bar in the rich neighborhoods.”
She chuckles, brushing a strand of hair off his forehead. “He’s going to be talking about that for weeks.”
As she adjusts his hood, Sabrina glances at me. “How’s Callie? And the baby?”
Her question catches me off guard, but I appreciate it. “They’re okay now,” I say, my voice dropping. “There were some complications. Ruby wasn’t breathing when she was born.”
Sabrina’s hand flies to her mouth, her eyes widening. “Oh my God. Is she…?”
“She’s okay,” I say quickly, nodding. “It was terrifying, but the doctors acted fast. Callie’s still shaken up, though.”
Sabrina lowers her hand, her expression softening. “I can’t even imagine. I’m glad they’re both okay.”
“Yeah, me too,” I reply. For a moment, there’s a rare sense of understanding between us, a shared recognition of how fragile life can be.
Sabrina looks down at Barrett, her hand resting on his tiny chest. “Thanks for making tonight special for him. I know you’ve got a lot going on, but it means so much to him. And to me.”
“It means a lot to me, too,” I say.
We’re quiet for a moment, the room filled with the soft sounds of Barrett’s breathing. Finally, Sabrina straightens up, giving me a small, tired smile. “You should probably get home. I’m sure Callie needs you.”
“Yeah,” I say, setting Barrett’s bucket on the counter. “I will let her know Barrett sends his love.”
She nods, watching me head for the door. “Night, Owen.”
“Night, Sabrina.”
I step out into the crisp night air; the weight of the day presses against me. Life is messy and complicated, but we’re making it work, for Barrett, for all of us. My thoughts shift back to Callie and Ruby. Callie had to face something terrifying, and I know she’s trying to carry it all on her own. I can’t let her do that. She needs me there tonight.
I climb into the truck and pull out my phone. Opening a message thread with Will, I take a deep breath before typing.
Me:
Hey, man. I need to call in tomorrow. Callie had the baby yesterday, and there were some complications. Ruby wasn’t breathing when she was born, but she’s okay now. Callie’s still at the hospital, though, and I want to be with her.
I hit send and stare at the screen for a moment, the words heavy in my chest. Seeing Ruby come into this world without a sound, Callie’s face filled with fear, is a memory I can’t shake. She’s strong, stronger than she even knows, but no one should have to go through that alone. She doesn’t just need me there, I need to be there.
Will’s response comes almost immediately.
Will:
Of course. Don’t worry about it—just take care of your family. Let me know if you need anything.
I exhale, some of the tension in my shoulders easing. Family . That’s exactly what Callie, Sara, Ruby, Barrett and I are becoming—a family. Even though life isn’t perfect, I wouldn’t trade this for anything.
I start the engine and pull out of the driveway, heading toward the hospital. The streets are quiet now, the Halloween energy giving way to calm. My phone buzzes on the passenger seat. It’s a picture Sabrina sent of Barrett, still in his dragon costume, sprawled out on her couch, candy bucket beside him. He’s such a good kid. He loves Callie, loves the family we’re building together. I know it hasn’t been easy for Sabrina, seeing me move on, but tonight felt like progress.
I turn into the hospital parking lot and cut the engine. I picture Callie sitting in that hospital room, Ruby nestled in her arms. The fear she felt yesterday still lingers in my mind. I walk into the hospital, knowing that no matter how complicated things get, Callie and I will face them together. That’s what family does. That’s what we will do.