Page 7 of It Never Happened
I’ve already made changes at the office, including putting more work on my assistant’s desk. It’s going to kill me not to be able to answer calls, but I've already given strict instructions that shit needs to be handled without me. This is my first test for myself. I have to be able to do something other than work if I have any hope of convincing Courtney to give me another chance.
“I can't wait!”
We finished dinner and I cleaned up while Courtney put Joey into bed. The whole night feels very domestic but I can’t let myself go there. I had it once and couldn’t hold onto it.
“He’s asking for you.” Her words are tight as she enters the kitchen again.
My eyebrows shoot up. “Really?” She nods, and I make my way down the hall to his room. “Hey, pal, what's up?”
“I just wantedto say goodnight.”
“You already said goodnight.”
“I wanted another hug.”
I kneel down beside his bed and squeeze him tight when he hugs me. I settle him back down again and tuck his blankets in tight around him. “I missed you, bud. I’m glad I get to spend some extra time with you.”
“I miss you all the time, dad.” Those little words break me.
“I know, Joe. But I have to work. And my business is far away, unfortunately.”
“Couldn’t you move it here? So you’d be close all the time?”
He's breaking my heart tonight. He’s never asked these questions before or expressed any sort of hurt over not having me nearby. But he’s getting older and I should have expected it. “I would really like that, but I just don’t know if it can be done right now.”
“Maybe soon? I think Mom misses you too.”
“Why do you say that?”
He shrugs and plays with the frayed edges of his blanket. “Sometimes I hear her crying. And she tells Aunt January that she's lonely and how hard it is doing things by herself. She doesn’t know I hear her though so don’t say anything!” He quickly rushes out the words, likely afraid he’d get into trouble for eavesdropping.
I pat his hands. “Don’t worry, pal, I won’t say you told me. I don't like your mom being sad. I'll try to do something to help make things a little easier, okay?”
He nods.
“You’re a good man, Joe Fristoni, better than me, and you’re doing a really good job at taking care of your mom.”
He lets out a big yawn. I kiss his forehead, whispering goodnight once more. His eyes flutter closed,and within a moment his breath evens out and he’s fast asleep. I stand from beside the bed and walk out of the room, closing the door slightly before entering the kitchen again.
I glance at my watch. It’s ten minutes to eight. “I told Larry to come back at nine for me. I can try to call him now if you want me to leave.”
She shakes her head. “Even if you called him now he wouldn’t make it back until nine anyway. I can see the roads are getting bad, and he’s probably busy getting everyone home.” She fills a mug with boiling water. “Do you want tea?”
“Yes, please.” She pours a second mug, adding a tea bag, and I watch as she adds a little milk and one sugar to one mug, pushing it toward me. I smile that she remembers just how I take it. I note she only adds milk to her mug.
“No sugar for you anymore?” I ask.
She glances at me then frowns at her mug. “No, I cut excess sugar out about a year ago.”
We both grab our mugs, and I follow her into the living room. She sits on the couch and I sit across from her in the oversized chair.
“So, are you here to buy Bluemoon?” She doesn’t even try to hide the snark in her tone.
“There’s the attitude I missed so much.” She rolls her eyes at me. “I could, you know.”
“You could what?”
“Buy Bluemoon.” I state it simply and blow on my tea before taking a sip.
