Page 5 of Hard Hat Hottie

Who’s watching who exactly?

While my boys have different fathers, they tend to spend their weekends like a big sleepover. It appears Rob and Jimmy have a better relationship with each other than they ever had with me. But it could be that teaming up is simply easier than going it alone. Tag team parenting allows them to have someone there as a back-up, to step up when the other is busy. Not that they ever shared the child-rearing when either of them lived with me. It was expected I’d do everything. Yet, this way, they can watch the game and eat pizza with the boys, then hand them off to me once the weekend is over. While I’m sure it’s confusing to others, their relationship, while odd, is purely platonic. Heck, I suspect they act as each other’s wing man when they’re out.

I’m done pondering how strange the whole situation is. Considering how clueless they were at anything domestic when we were married, it’s probably better for the boys that they double up when they have them overnight.

Returning to the front porch, I jut out the Spiderman toothbrush and flavored toothpaste, and Justin quickly grabs them, unzipping his brother’s bag and tucking them inside.

“Thanks, Mom.” Alec wraps his little arms around my legs, and I give him a squeeze.

“Be good for your dad, okay?”

“I’m always good.” He pronounces with indignation.

“Let’s head out, boys. The game starts in thirty.”

“We’re going to a game?” Alec asks excitedly, grabbing my arm a little tighter. I brace myself for Rob’s reply.

“Nah. It’s better on TV,” his father says. “Plus, the snacks are cheaper.”

Bending down, I give Alec another hug as his shoulders slump. “I’ll see you soon, wild man. Won’t be long before I get to come to your baseball games.”

The reminder causes his eyes to twinkle in anticipation. “Bye, Mom.”

Stepping back, my eyes hold Justin’s momentarily, and I mouth, “Have you got everything?” in an effort to keep my attention on a task versus the hole in my heart at watching my boys leave. It’s not normal to send your children away. I’ll never get used to this.

Standing on the porch until they back out of the drive, I wave one last time before returning inside the desolate foyer, my heart aching.

Bzzz. Bzzz.

I reach for the phone and notice Sadie’s sweet face, grateful for the timely distraction. “Hey, girlie. What’re you up to this early? I figured you’d be sleeping in since we’re working the late shift tonight.”

“I would’ve preferred that. But my next-door neighbor is apparently into morning sex. And the walls are so thin here, I think I may have a concussion from all the banging.”

“Oh, god.” I giggle. But my heart goes out to her. The only thing worse than not getting any on the regular is having to hearsomeone else getting it in stereo. “Was it just the banging, or are they loud too?”

“Oh, fuck! Yes! That’s it. Suck my cock before I bury it in your ass,” she mimics into the phone.

My eyes widen in shock. I wasn’t expecting that. “Holy shit. Have you seen these two?”

“Oh, trust me, Har. It was much hotter before I knew what they looked like.”

A snort escapes before I can stop it.

“I know I’m going to see you in a few hours, but I’m dreading this shift. The last few have been brutal, and I can almost guarantee we’ll be short staffed again. Can we go for a drink as soon as it’s over? I need some motivation to get through ’til the end,” she whines.

“Yes. That’s a great idea. The boys are with their dads this weekend. I was going to see if Stew wanted to meet up after work, but he’ll probably be happy with a booty call. So, I’ll just tell him I’ll see him after we grab a drink.”

“Men. Arlo said he’s playing poker with his buddies tonight, so there’s no midnight delight waiting for me after work.” She huffs, sounding defeated. “It’s bad enough he’s always traveling for his job. Then he gets home and wants to snuggle up with poker chips, cheap cigars, and a six-pack of whatever’s on sale at the Jingle Mart.”

Sadie and Arlo have been dating for a while, with no plans to settle down anytime soon. While she’s only a year younger than I am, Sadie’s got her head on straight. Unlike me, who fell for the first hot guy I met once I was on my own.

Okay, make that two.

But for all of my regrets regarding my failed marriages, I wouldn’t trade my two boys for anything. I need to remind myself of that when I’m all alone with nothing but my vibrator to keep me warm at night. “All right, chicka. I’m getting somethings done around the house while the kids are away. I’ll see you this afternoon.”

“See ya, Har.”

Placing my phone back on the counter, I decide to put in a load of laundry before heading to the boys’ rooms to straighten up. Not sure why I bother, as they’ll only return and destroy them again. But with two rowdy boys, you never know what you might find. It could be an animal they’ve rescued, a random sock that’s been missing for months, or the vegetables they swore they finished but instead made their way to their room to eventually die a stinky death under the bed. I shake my head at the thought and consider finding rubber gloves and a face mask before a grin crosses my face. I’m lucky to have two well-behaved, respectful children. They’re good kids. Whatever I discover will be fine.

---