Page 9 of The Sky in Summer
“Just think about the fact your dad, and Felicia, are hoping their child will grow up with two brothers that come to love and protect her. But you and David will make the relationship or not. It’s all your choice. The baby is innocent. She has nothing to do with the adult’s choices. I know she would be very lucky to have you two as part of her family.”
“What about our family? He left us. Now he has a new family. And he’s acting all happy as shit.”
“I know that’s what it looks like. But that isn’t the whole story, Tyler. He was meant to be your father and he has been a good one. If you knew how happy he was when I told him I was pregnant you would never question his love. He left the marriage, not fatherhood. Those are two very different things.”
Before I can get a response, his cell sounds and breaks the conversation. I have lost his attention. He gets a pleased look for whoever is calling and waves me off walking away. When he speaks I know he’s talking to a girl. It’s the happy voice. Okay. It was a teachable moment. Sometimes that’s all a mother can hope for. Two minutes. This parenthood thing is a school that is never out of session and there is no recess. But teacher is sometimes emotionally tired. I head for the bedroom. Shutting the door behind me, the cell gets tossed on the bed, sandals kicked off. Music.
“Alexa! Shuffle Layla’s Favorites.”
“Shuffling Layla’s Favorites,” her smooth voice responds.
Music lifts me out of my own story and carries me to an imaginary world. H.E.R. Takes over from there. In this alternate reality everything in life has worked out as planned. I am loved by the one I love. My children have no doubts about their place in the world. Days are spent happily in each other’s company. All’s right in this world. In other words, it is fantasy.
Clothes are shed. A shower is going to feel so good.
The sound of the cell interrupts. I hesitate for a moment, thinking about just heading for the bathroom and checking who called later. But what if Ken is changing plans? Shit. Reaching for the phone, I take a seat on the edge of the bed.
Pepe Le Pew. The shock of seeing the name he entered brings a smile. I answer on the third ring.
“Bonjour Pepe. I just got home.”
“Me too. I really liked seeing you today.”
The surprise of the statement makes the heat rise on my face. “Yeah, it was great.”
“Too soon?”
“For what?”
He chuckles.
“For me to ask you out.”
“What? You want to go out on like a date?”
“Notlikea date, Layla. A date. Dinner.”
“We don’t even know each other!”
“Hence the date. That’s how it works. Two people go out for dinner and talk to each other. Maybe you’ve heard of this strange plan before.”
“I don’t go out on dates. Not really.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means I’m a mother.”
“Congratulations.”
Okay, that one made me laugh.
“Why are you hesitant? Did I have funky breath?”
“For one thing, I’m out of your demographic. After all, I’m your age. Secondly, I’m not your type. And most importantly, I’m not looking for romance. Just to name three minor details.”
“Don’t believe what you hear from my nephews. You don’t know anything about my demographic or my type. For your information, I like all types.”
“Uh huh.”
