Page 97 of Poolside

But there were so many good things in his life now, and he looked forward to having more freedom to explore them. He had a beautiful partner, and a new career that would allow him to be more present in the other areas of his life.

His phone rang loudly through his car's bluetooth. Without looking at the Caller ID, he answered. “This is Tommy.”

“Hey Tommy.”

Tommy stiffened, glancing down at the display as he slowed at a four way stop. “Hey Court,” he said, unable to keep the confusion from his voice. He hadn’t talked to his ex-wife in over a year; the last time was when they’d met up to give the realtor the keys to their old house before she moved to Boston. “Is everything okay?”

“Everything’s fine,” she said quickly. “I’m sorry to bother you.”

“It’s okay,” Tommy replied, still thrown off-kilter. “What’s up?”

“My mom asked about your updated address. She wants to send you a birthday card.”

Tommy let out a quiet laugh. His birthday was coming up, in early August. Martha, his ex-mother-in-law, was effusive with her love, and had always sent Tommy some sort of clever card for his birthday. He wasn’t surprised that she wanted to send him a card even though he was no longer married to her daughter.

Tommy rattled off his new address, realizing he was going to need to start going back there more frequently to check the mail. He’d been spending so much time at Chuck’s that he’d largely stopped stocking the fridge with anything beyond the long-lasting essentials.

“How have you been?”

Tommy felt himself smile. “Really good. You?”

It was quiet for a moment before Courtney responded. “Also really good. I love the outpatient facility where I’m working, and I started seeing someone recently.” She ended the sentence on a question, like she wasn’t completely sure if she should be sharing that with him.

“That’s great, Court,” Tommy said, and he realized that he was truly happy for her. He thought of the way it felt to be with Chuck, and hoped she had found someone who brought her the kind of contentment he had found. “I’m seeing someone too.”

“Oh yeah? Who is she?”

“He,” Tommy corrected. He waited, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel. “I’m dating a man.”

“Oh.” She let out a nervous laugh. “Is this, when did—sorry, this is just…I’m surprised.”

“It’s all happened in the last few months, and it’s still new, but everything just feels good and right with him.”

“Did you know,” she asked, her voice going quiet. “When we were together?”

Tommy shook his head. “No. I had no idea. Being bisexual never crossed my mind, not until…until Chuck.”

“Oh, Tommy,” she said softly. “It’s Chuck?”

“Yeah. It’s Chuck.”

“Are you happy?”

Emotion tightened his throat. “So happy, Court.” He wiped a hand over his eyes as he turned onto Chuck’s quiet, residential street. “Are you happy?”

He could hear the smile in her voice. “I’m really happy, Tommy.”

He slowed to pull into Chuck’s driveway. “I’ve got to run, Court, but thanks for calling. I’m glad to hear you’re doing well.”

“You too,” she responded. “Take care.”

Tommy sat in the silence after he hung up. He reallywasglad to hear that Courtney was doing well. He wished her nothing but the best, and the truth was that his marriage was something that was finished. Done.

He grabbed his backpack from the backseat and jogged up the steps. He used his spare key to unlock the front door. “I’m home,” he called out as he pushed into the living room.

“In here!”

Tommy took off his shoes, dropped his backpack on the couch, and then stripped off his polo, revealing his sleeveless undershirt. He padded into the kitchen, following the soft sound of Chuck’s singing and the delicious smell of something roasting.

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