Page 8 of Two Wrongs

Since then, I’ve had a few arrangements with women I called when I needed a release. There were no attachments, or hurt feelings. Just two people who had an itch to scratch and walked away at the end of the night not knowing if that was the last time, or if we’d be reaching out again.

Tonight I couldn’t repeat that pattern. One of them would pick up if I called, and I’d show up at her house. She’d be dressed in next to nothing when she opened the door, she’d lead me to her bedroom, and I’d fuck her as hard and long as I want until the sun comes up. The problem is most of these women bear a startling resemblance to Wren, and tonight I want to forget, not play out a fantasy.

The possibility my son’s marriage is ending is too tempting. Wren may soon be single, but that doesn’t make her any less off limits. Not that she’d ever want me. I’ve spent too many years treating her like shit just to make sure she’d stay away if my resolve should ever waiver.

Charlie pokes his head under the hood of the car I’ve been pretending to work on for the last twenty minutes while my mind wanders. “I think we need to go get a drink tonight.”

I grunt. My mind is still too cluttered to form words.

“I’m going to take that as a yes. I don’t know what is going on with you, but I’m guessing your son cheating on his woman is bringing back some bad memories. You can’t go and help that girl, even though I know you feel bad for her. Liam is going to need you, and he’s got to be your priority.”

I drop the wrench I’m holding into the tool box. “I’ve been doing such a bang up job with him so far. Why not support him while he screws over his wife. It’s not like she’s not a fucking orphan or anything.”

He grabs his pack of smokes from his pocket and taps one out. “Come out and join me.”

“You know I hate those fucking things,” I turn him down.

“Not asking, dickhead. Get your ass outside and have a chat with me.”

I kick a creeper out of my way. “Put these fucking things away before someone breaks their face. We have lifts for fuck’s sake. Why is this even out?”

“Sorry boss, the lifts are still broken,” my younger mechanic, Julio, says and runs to put it away. I resist throwing any more tools, and follow Charlie out back.

He lights up the second he’s outside and the noxious odor fills the air. I try and wave it away, but it’s no use and I reconcile with the fact I’m going to have to endure it for this little talk.

“I don’t know what has crawled up your ass. You’re being a miserable bastard, more than normal. Call one of your women and sort out your shit.”

“I’m not in the mood,” I grumble.

“Fine, then you and me are going down to Donovan’s Pub right after work. We’re going to drink some beers, play some pool, and hopefully find some pretty blonde for you to take home for a few hours.”

“No blondes,” I snap.

His eyes narrow. “I’m trying really hard not to pick up on things I’ve seen over the years. Your son isn’t the only one I see right through, ya know?”

I nod a slight tip of my head. “It’s nothing.”

He points at me with his lit cigarette between two of his fingers. “Keep it that way. Shit like that will blow up in your face. No matter how you try and argue something, it will never be right. Feel me?”

4

Wren

“You already work so much, dearie,” Dolores argues as I get ready for my new part-time job.

I look myself over in the mirror. Tight black pants, ripped up and exposing a lot more skin than I’d normally show, and a tiny white t-shirt showing a sliver of my stomach make up the uniform for Donovan’s Pub. It’s somewhat seedy, and not in the best part of town, but it draws a larger crowd than the only other bar in town that tries to cater to the high class crowd not present in Harriston. While I might not have to show as much skin at The Garden Club, I wouldn’t earn as many tips either. Plus, Donovan’s was hiring, so it was a no brainer.

“It’s like you said last night, the best thing I can do now is stay busy.”

“I meant you should learn to knit or something,” she mutters.

I turn around and give her my best deadpan look. “I might have been married for the last five years, but I’m still young. I think I need to remember that. Also, I want to earn extra money. I think it’s time for me to go back to school.”

Dolores claps her hands. “Oh, that makes me so happy to hear. Do you know what you want to study?”

“Maybe graphic design? I think I might like to run my own business though, so maybe I’ll study business and design. I like making logos and websites, but it’s just a hobby for now.” There were a lot of choices for me to make now that my future was solely in my hands.

The end of my marriage still stings like a bitch, but I realized over the weekend I could either roll over and let the pain consume me, or I could roll with it and change my stars. Losing my parents like I did taught me that life goes on even when you don’t want it to. There’s nothing to be done about it except get on with it.

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