Sixteen
sixteen
LEARNING TO brEATHE - SWITCHFOOT
OWEN - DECEMBER 13, 2013
I step into the living room with Vince, shutting the door behind us. He’s only been here a handful of times and has never shown up unannounced. It’s obvious he needs someone to lean on in this moment. He looks around the room, eyes skimming over the family photos and the mismatched furniture Callie and I have pieced together. His shoulders drop and he sinks into the beige recliner like it’s the first time he’s sat down all day.
I lean against the doorframe, crossing my arms. “So, what’s going on?”
Vince rubs his hands over his face and breathes out a sigh. “It’s over.”
That’s all he says, those two heavy words.
“With Zoe?” I ask, though it’s obvious.
He nods, quickly wiping a tear away. His hands fall to his lap. “We had another fight last night. Same as always, her blaming me for not being home enough, me begging her to do something to help out. It blew up worse than usual. I told her I couldn’t do it anymore, and… I think she believed me this time. We’re done.”
There’s a strange mix of relief and sadness in his tone. I get it. I’ve been there with Sabrina. You don’t spend years with someone, build a life and a family with them, without feeling something when it all falls apart. Even when you know it’s for the best.
“I’m sorry, man.” I sit down in my green recliner across from him, resting my elbows on my knees. “But honestly? I think you made the right call. You’ve been carrying that relationship on your back for a long time.”
Vince chuckles, but there’s no humor in it. “Yeah, well, my back is broken now,” he says. “The worst part of all of it is that Ainsley walked in while we were fighting. She’d been at basketball practice and one of her teammates’ parents dropped her off. We were so engrossed in the argument that we didn’t hear her come in. It was awful.”
We sit in silence for a minute, the only sound coming from the muffled laughter in the kitchen. I hear Brooke’s voice, loud and animated, probably trying to charm Taylor into giving her more wine and cookies. I shake my head, remembering her ridiculous attempt to flirt with Vince earlier.
“You met Brooke,” I say, smirking.
Vince gives me a sideways glance. “Yeah, she’s something. I need another woman in my life right now like I need a hole in my head.”
I chuckle, but his comment lingers in my mind. There’s something in his tone—not frustration, exactly, but something heavier. I wonder for a moment if there’s someone else on his mind besides Zoe, but I decide not to push. He’s clearly got enough on his plate.
I lean back in my chair, studying him. Vince works as a Corrections Officer at Cedar Bluff Correctional Center. The stress of the job alone is enough to wear a person down. Now add Zoe’s constant demands and the pressure of being a newly single dad to a six-year-old? It’s a lot. Too much.
“You need a break,” I say after a moment.
He snorts, running a hand through his hair. “A break? From what, life?”
“From everything,” I reply. “Work, Zoe, the fights. Take a day for yourself. Your mom can watch Ainsley for a bit, right? Just get out of your own head for a while.”
Vince shakes his head, his mouth pulling into a tired, half-hearted smile. “What would I even do? Sit in my car and stare at the steering wheel? Go to a bar and drink myself into oblivion?”
“Not a bar,” I say quickly, “but something. Hell, go for a hike or hit the gym. Anything that reminds you that you’re more than just a CO or Zoe’s punching bag.”
He looks at me for a long moment, like he’s trying to decide if I’m full of it. Finally, he sighs and leans forward, his elbows on his knees, his hands clasped together.
“It’s not just the fights,” he says quietly. “It’s Ainsley. I’m scared Zoe’s going to try and keep her from me.” His voice wavers, but he presses on. “That’s part of why I stayed with her for as long as I did. Every time I thought about leaving, all I could think was, what if she makes it impossible for me to see Ainsley? What if she takes her and I’m just… cut out of her life?”
I let his words settle, the fear in his voice striking a chord. I know what it’s like to feel helpless when it comes to your kid.
“She can’t do that,” I say firmly. “You’re her dad, Vince. You’ve been there for her every step of the way. Courts don’t look kindly on parents who use their kids as leverage, and Zoe knows that. Don’t let her hold that over you.”
“She’s vindictive, Owen,” he says, shaking his head. “You don’t know what she’s capable of. She’ll fight me just to spite me, and I don’t have the money or energy for a custody battle.”
“You won’t have to do it alone,” I tell him. “We’ll help you. Whatever it takes. You’ve got your mom, me, the whole family. And Ainsley knows who you are. She knows you love her. That matters more than anything.”
Vince looks up at me, his eyes searching, like he’s trying to find something to hold onto. Finally, he nods, though it’s hesitant.
“I just want to do right by her,” he says.
“And you are,” I reply. “Leaving Zoe? That’s the first step. Ainsley needs to see her parents happy and strong, not stuck in a toxic situation. You’re doing the right thing, Vince.”
He exhales deeply, some of the tension in his shoulders easing. “Thanks, Owen.”
“Anytime,” I say, clapping him on the shoulder as I stand. “Come on, let’s get back in there before Brooke decides you’re her next project.”
Vince groans, but there’s a faint smile tugging at his lips as he follows me back to the kitchen.
We step inside, the laughter and warmth of the room wrap around us like a blanket. Brooke poses with a cookie, her voice carrying above the others as she declares it a “culinary masterpiece.” Vince shakes his head, a soft chuckle escapes him, and I feel a flicker of hope for my cousin.
He’ll get through this. He’s got Ainsley, he’s got us, and, whether he believes it yet or not, he’s stronger than he thinks.
Later that evening, when the cookie chaos has settled and the kids are in bed, I find Callie in the living room, curled up on the couch with a blanket draped over her lap and a book in her hands. She looks up as I walk in, her face softens into a smile.
“Hey,” she says, closing the book and setting it on the coffee table. “Everything okay?”
I sit down beside her, leaning back with a sigh. “Yeah, I think so. Vince is going through a lot, though. He’s having a hard time with this breakup from Zoe. They’ve been off and on before, but I think he’s finally done for good.”
Her smile fades, replaced with a look of concern. “I figured something was wrong. How’s he holding up?”
“Better now, I think,” I say. “But it’s been a long time coming, and he’s worried about how it’s going to affect his daughter. I don’t think he’s had a minute to just breathe in years. They’ve been together for a long time and it’s been toxic for as long as I can remember.”
“It certainly seems that way.”
“I was thinking,” I say, rubbing the back of my neck, “maybe I could take him out for a guys’ night. Get him out of his own head for a bit. I thought about taking him to Black N’ Gold. We haven’t gone since before I moved here to Hawkridge with you.”
Her eyes light up with approval. “I think that’s a great idea. He could definitely use it.”
“Yeah,” I agree, leaning forward with my elbows on my knees. “I just don’t know if he’ll go for it. He’s not exactly in the best headspace right now.”
Callie reaches out and rests a hand on my arm. “If anyone can convince him, it’s you. Invite Luke and Will along to take some of the pressure off. Maybe it will be easier for Vince to unwind if it’s a group thing.”
I grin, nodding. “Good idea. Luke’s always up for a night out and Will could probably use a break too. Work has been kicking our asses lately.”
Pulling out my phone, I fire off a quick group text with the guys:
Me:
Guys, thinking about a night out. Dinner, beers, nothing crazy. Vince needs some time to unwind. Everyone in?
Luke responds almost immediately:
Luke:
Hell yes. Count me in. Vince, I’ve got your back. First beer’s on me. Hope you’re okay, whatever it is.
Vince:
Appreciate it, but I’m not sure I’m in the mood for going out.
Will:
You should come, Vince. It’s low-key. Just a chance to relax. I’m not sure what’s going on but we are here for you.
Vince:
Unless you guys have a solution for a quick fix after breaking off a long-term relationship, I don’t know if there’s anything that can really be done right now.
Will:
If you give it a shot and you’re not up for it, we can call it an early night. And if Luke gets out of hand, we’ll collectively ignore him.
Luke:
Rude. I’m a delight.
Vince:
A delight who once convinced me to try ordering off the kids’ menu because “chicken nuggets are the answer to all of life’s problems.”
Luke:
They are the answer. In fact, they will probably cure your heartache right now.
Will:
I rest my case.
Me:
Vince, come on. You need this. Just dinner and a few beers. No chicken nuggets, I promise.
Vince:
Alright, alright. I’ll give it a shot.
Luke:
I’m totally getting chicken nuggets.
Me:
I was thinking about going to Black N’ Gold. Pretty sure they don’t have chicken nuggets.
Luke:
I bet they would if I asked them to. Heather used to work there so I’m basically a celebrity. Hunter and Mandee love me.
Will:
We walked right into that one, guys.
I laugh, setting my phone down as Callie watches me with a curious smile. “What’s so funny?” she asks.
“Luke being Luke,” I reply. “And Vince agreed to come, though I think he’s already bracing himself for Luke’s antics.”
She smirks, leaning back against the couch. “Well, at least it sounds like you guys are going to have fun. Vince could definitely use a good laugh.”
“Yeah,” I say. “We all could.”
It’s not much, but a night out might be exactly what Vince needs to move forward. If Luke’s antics can’t make him laugh, at least they’ll give him something to shake his head at.