Page 9 of Painting Together a Family
“It’s tough to be a single dad. What happened to their first parent?” Real parent?
“Miller was in a car accident. It was pretty bad, actually. On the highway and a few dozen cars were involved when all was said and done and seven people died. The only saving grace was that he didn’t have the kids with him or they might have been gone, too.” Bryan shook his head as if trying to clear his thoughts from going in that direction.
“Oh, man. I’m sorry. That sucks so hard.”
“Yeah, it does. You know that too, though, eh? Your man…” Bryan let the words trail off, the question clear.
“Heart attack.” It had been fast, brutal, and the hardest thing he’d ever done.
“That’s awful. I’m sorry.”
Yeah, they both knew how much losing your husband sucked. Unfortunately, they also both knew how much getting conned and fleeced by one felt too.
“Yes, it’s been a while. I’m on my feet now.”
“Yeah, you’ve been recovering a little longer than I have. The first year after Gr— him, there were days I wasn’t sure where our next meal was coming from. This last year has been better.”
“Well, I was incredibly lucky that some of my husband’s money was tied up in the girls, and Mike’s parents are loaded and have been absolutely amazing, so… if you need help, please let me know.”
“That’s very generous of you, but we’re in a good place now, thank you. It’s just a lot harder than it was supposed to be. Miller and I both made sure that if one of us died the other would be set for life.” Bryan shook his head and barked out an unamused laugh. “All roads seem to lead back to you know who.”
“He’s an evil bastard, and I want to get him. I want to hurt him.”
Bryan nodded and took a long swallow of his tea. “Like I said earlier, I’ve never considered myself a violent person, but I’d cheerfully change that for him. My therapist said I should forgive him.” Bryan snorted. “I told him that wasn’t going to happen, even if hell froze over.”
“Fuck that,” he bit out. “Fuck forgiving him. He’s a habitual offender.”
“He sure is. You think we should find the guy he’s currently engaged to and warn him?” Bryan asked.
“I don’t know. I mean, the court case is public record. Maybe we should take an advertisement out. A billboard…”
“Those things are pretty fucking expensive, aren’t they? I mean, I otherwise endorse the idea. I don’t have a single picture that could be used for one, though. I destroyed any I had that he was in.”
“Good for you.” He actually found a smile for Bryan. “I feel like an idiot, for trusting him.”
“Yes.” Bryan nodded vigorously. “Like the world’s biggest fool. How could I be taken in by him? How could I let this con man and thief into my life and worse, my kids’ lives? I used to beat myself up daily over it. With the therapist’s help, it’s closer to weekly now.”
“It’ll ease.” In theory. His never had. Maybe it never would.
“I hope so. You’ve obviously been at it longer than I have.” Bryan sighed and relaxed back against the couch, and it looked like it took effort. He took a sip of his tea. “Let’s move onto a more interesting subject. Tell me about yourself.”
“I’m an artist, I love to travel and see new things. My girls are into dance and piano, robotics and Judo. I love music when I’m working…” And he was basically celibate. Go him.
“Do you get to do a lot of travel with the girls?” Bryan asked.
“I didn’t when they were young—it felt too difficult, but we’re starting to do more now that I can watch them both.”
“That’s pretty cool. At the moment, the boys consider any place with fair food or food from another country as traveling. I have visions of them being a little more grown, and we go to Paris and I go look at the Eiffel Tower! and they say ‘in a minute, dad, we’re busy with the baguette and cheese’.” Bryan laughed softly, clearly not terribly upset by the prospect of his boys getting to know other countries by their food.
“I do love a baguette and good butter.” He winked over.
He’d bet the girls would love to go to Paris with him.
Bryan laughed, and the sound was awesome, deep and happy. He was a good-looking man, but smiling, laughing, he was even more handsome.
“Yeah, me too,” Bryan admitted. “The boys, now while they do like their bread and butter, are fiends for going to Mexico. AKA, going to Lucia’s Cantina and having tacos.” He chuckled again. “Last night, Micah tried to convince me to let him have a s’mores taco and, barring that, a gummi worms one.”
“Oh, I like that. I have one that only eats chicken and broccoli and one that only wants hamburgers.”
