Page 33 of Time for Change

I grab the remote and change the channel, not really interested in anything I find on television. The kids have been asleep for a while now, and while I should be too, I can’t seem to get my mind away from Stevie long enough to catch some shut-eye.

Just when I settle on the originalTop Gunmovie, my phone rings. I jump, hoping it’s the woman I can’t stop thinking about on the other end. Unfortunately, it’s my ex-wife’s name on the screen. Considering the hour, I quickly tap on the answer button in hopes nothing is wrong.

“Hey,” I greet Mya, sitting up in bed. “Everything okay?”

“Hey, and yeah. I mean, not the best, but nothing to get worried over. Cort has the flu. He called off work tonight and has a pretty high fever. Can’t keep anything down, body chills, the whole works.”

“That’s not good.”

“I know I’m supposed to get the kids after school tomorrow, but I really don’t want them catching this. Can they stay another night with you?”

“Of course.” My reply is instant. Not only do I never want my kids to get sick, but I love having them here. I’d keep them every night if it weren’t going to cause major issues with my ex.

She exhales. “Thank you. He might be better by tomorrow afternoon, but—”

“Say no more. It’s fine, really. I’d rather them stay away one extra night to lessen the risk of them catching it,” I reply.

“I know, that’s why I was calling. I didn’t think you’d have any issues, but I also know you’re on call a lot during the week.”

She’s not wrong. Usually, I take the week to be on-call for emergencies, while Caden takes the weekends and Mondays while I have the kids. “It’ll be fine. I can work it out with Caden, but if he’s not available to cover, I’ll have Mom on standby to come stay with the kids.”

“Thank you, Jack.”

“Of course. If they need to stay longer, just let me know. I can make it work, and I hope Cort feels better soon.”

“Thanks. Give the kids my love in the morning when you tell them, and let them know I’ll call them around dinner tomorrow to see how their day went.”

“Sounds good. Night, Mya.”

“Night, Jack.”

I hang up the phone, grateful to get an extra day with the kids. I also hope my ex’s husband does get better soon. Co-parenting isn’t always easy, but it’s necessary. The happiness and health of our kids will always be our top priority, enough so we can put any differences we have aside for the most part.

I switch over to the texting app and pull up Caden’s name.

Me:You awake?

Caden:Just getting home. Had a date. *insert smirking emoji*

Me:Of course you did.

Caden:Jealous?

Yes.

Me:Not in the least. Anyway, I gotta keep the kids tomorrow night. Cort is sick and Mya doesn’t want them to catch it. Can you cover emergency on-call? If not, that’s ok. I’ll have my mom on standby.

Caden:I don’t mind. Easier for me to cover it than have your mom out in the middle of the night if you get called.

Me:Thanks, man. I owe ya one.

Caden:Don’t mention it. We don’t have many nighttime emergencies anyway.

He’s not wrong. When a call comes in, we can usually quickly assess whether the problem can be added to our schedule for the next day or whether it warrants an emergency visit. Issues like a continual trip of a breaker, a warm or hot outlet, flickering lights that aren’t fixed with the replacement of a bulb, sparks from any receptacle, buzzing, burning, or a smoke smell, and water damage. Any time those problems happen, we will make an emergency visit, because any of the mentioned issues most likely will result in a fire.

Me:We don’t, but with my luck, if I don’t arrange for coverage, we’ll have multiple calls.

Caden:You know it. I got you. See you tomorrow.

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