Chapter 13 Creed
CREED
Even though tonight is as rushed as ever, somehow, it’s also lighter. I still have to do supper, reading, check for homework, and get these two crazies into bed, but we all seem happier. Could it really be that little bit of time with Emmie caused our evening to go better?
Or maybe I’m just not as much of a grinch when I’ve spent time with her. I guess I don’t know, but I’m excited to continue to find out how this goes.
My phone buzzes.
EX-WIFE Katie: Call me when you get the boys to bed, please.
Fuck. My anxiety immediately escalates. We hardly ever talk on the phone.
Most of our exchanges are simple texts about her monthly visits with the boys.
I also try to keep her posted about how they’re doing in school with quarterly report cards or when they have a concert, not that she ever shows up for that.
I exhale. No point in stressing until I know what’s going on. It could be something simple.
My phone buzzes again.
Emmie: I just got Rowan down. Give me a call when you’re free. Thanks again for the fun in the snow!
Frustrated, I shove my phone back in my pocket. Dammit. How am I letting my ex not let me enjoy the best thing that’s happened to me since we moved?
Jim has fallen asleep by the time I get into his bedroom.
I guess all the extra Christmas festivities at school wore him out.
Thankfully, it doesn’t take long to get Bart settled into bed.
He asked to finish reading the book he’s into, and with only two chapters left, I told him lights out when he’s done.
I go pour myself a drink and try to mentally prepare to call the boys’ mom. Sitting down in my favorite recliner, I lean back and give her a call.
Our phone exchange doesn’t last long. She just wanted to let me know she’s taking a new job out of state and will be moving.
She’ll have the boys the first weekend in January like we had already agreed, but then she won’t see them again until summer break.
We didn’t make any definite plans, but it’ll be about an eight hour drive each way.
She wants to see them a couple times each summer and then a few days over the holidays each year.
Maybe I should be elated, but I’m not. She’s abandoning the boys.
Again. And they’ve already been through so much.
Jim lights up on the weekends when he gets to see his mom.
We agreed that I won’t tell them until after Christmas, but she wants me to tell them before they go with her that first weekend in January.
Letting me be the bad guy who delivers the news. So nice of her.
Sitting in my recliner, I finish my drink. I have no idea what I’m doing as a single dad. And now the few breaks I get will be even less. And I have no idea how the boys are going to respond. Fuck.
I head back into the kitchen, pour myself a double shot, and head for bed.
Waking up, I realize just how little sleep I got.
I tossed and turned all night, envisioning Jim crying about his mom and Bart shutting down.
I have to buckle down and be there for them 110 percent.
They never asked for this divorce, and they sure as hell didn’t ask for their mom to all but walk out of their lives.
That’s when I see my phone.
Emmie: Good morning, handsome. I hope you had a good night. I missed talking to you.
Shit. Emmie.
How do I juggle my boys and dating? I’m not cut out for any of this. But I have to put the boys first. Going back to my initial plan of not dating until they both graduate is probably the best option.
I have no idea what to say to Emmie right now. I throw on a pair of jeans and shove my phone deep into my pocket. She can wait.