Page 3 of Alfie: Part Two

As a result, Kellan had started a group chat for Finn, Liam, Colm, Eric, me, and himself. So far, Colm and Eric had contributed with memes and suggestions to meet up for beer, and Finn had reminded us about church on Sunday and extended invitations to the birthday party for Ryan and Kian in a few weeks.

It was the weekend right before Trip started second grade.

“Dad, can you come in the pool with us?” Trip asked.

I wish.

“Another time, buddy.” I grabbed Ellie’s backpack as she’d already darted for the door. “You know what you can do? Start looking at backpacks. You said you wanted a new one for school, right?”

“Oh yeah! I can’t wait!” He was such an oddball.

West opened the door, and Ellie was quick as ever to jump into his arms.

He received the same ramble I had about their sleepover with Nonna and Pop-Pop.

I refocused on Trip instead, not wanting to make eye contact with West. It would kill the last of my indifference.

“A hug before you run off, please,” I said.

Trip grinned sheepishly and came in for a squeeze.

“I’ll see you on Friday,” I said and kissed the top of his head. “I love you, son.”

“Love you too.”

Ellie was next, and I picked her up and hugged her extra tight.

It made her giggle, a sound I was going to miss the next several days.

“Love you, baby girl. See you on Friday, yeah?”

“I will be there!” She popped a kiss to my cheek before squirming her way down to the ground. Then she was off, so that was my cue too.

I couldn’t spend a second alone with?—

“Can I have a word, Alfie? Please.”

Fuck.

I clenched my jaw and came to a stop, though I didn’t really turn to face him. “Is it about the kids?”

“No, but I?—”

“Then it’s way too soon.” I headed for the car and balled and unballed my fists.

Numbness, please take me away again.

“Uh-oh. You don’t look like you reconciled with your husband, hon.”

“That’d be correct.” I dipped down and kissed Emilia’s cheek, and then I entered the house. “False alarm.”

“Aw, I’m sorry. You looked so happy last night before you left.”

Yeah, well. I’d been wrong to be hopeful.

I followed Emilia toward the backyard, and I asked where the kids were. It was weirdly quiet in here.

“Autumn is out shopping with friends. The rest are upstairs,” she replied. “The loudest two are down with the sniffles, so the place is suddenly a spa retreat.”

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