Page 61 of Grump Daddy

I turn around and hug him back. “Pizza, video games, cake, and presents? It’s whateverysix-year-old wants.”

“Exactly.” Jack kisses my forehead. “Love you.”

“Love you back. We really are the lucky ones.”

I glance around at my family and friends. Stacy and Jennie are chatting at the end of the table. Unlike Ava, Stacy’s daughter, Miller, is diving into her cake, though she’s attempting to use a fork. Meanwhile, Jennie and Stacy are gossiping, mostly about Jennie’s dating life. From where I’m standing, it sounds disastrous. I realize how much I don’t miss being single. Dating had always been a crapshoot.

Jack sits next to me and we enjoy the Bluey-themed vanilla cake with chocolate frosting. He’s looking a little nostalgic. His eyes look far away like he’s somewhere in another time.

“Hey,” I say, nudging him. “You all right?”

He doesn’t say anything for a moment. Then, I see him thinking better of keeping quiet and he says, “I used to hate that his mother wasn’t at his birthday parties.”

I just smile a little sadly. Looks like I’m not the only one thinking about Martin’s mother.

He has you now,” Jack adds. “I mean…for all that it’s worth, you’re the only mom he knows and that’s how it should be.” He smiles and I smile with him.

His smile fades, though and he’s back in that other time. For all his honeyed words, he still wishes that Camilla had been more present. I can’t say that I blame him.

“What would you do if Camilla showed back up in Martin’s life?”

He blows out a breath. “I don’t even want to think about that. Camilla wasn’t the most responsible person in the world. You know, about a year ago, I heard that she’d spent a month in jail after she’d gotten drunk and decided to steal a car and go for a joy ride.”

“Oh, wow,” I say and he nods.

“Yeah. I heard it from one of my old buddies from college. Remember, Joey Mac?” I nodded. “Yeah, he and Camilla used to be cool until she ruined one of his rugs at a party one night. Don’t ask.” I snickered at that. “Yeah…he said that he’s been hearing about her for a while off and on. Apparently, she’s gone downhill.”

I bite my bottom lip thoughtfully. “That’s really sad.”

“It is,” he replies. “I wonder about her sometimes. Wonder if the worse ever finally happens, will I even know about it? I keep wondering about the day a friend of a friend calls me because she’s finally wrapped her car around a tree somewhere.”

I shake my head and look at Martin, who’s giggling along with his school friends. “I can’t imagine not wanting to know my child.”

“Camilla’s a breed of her own. I don’t know how else to explain it.”

“I think you are doing a pretty good job of it.”

He smirks a little and looks at me. He’s back in the present now. “In any case,” Jack holds my hand and kisses it, “it is what it is. He’s got you and me, and I think we’ve been a pretty good team.”

“Agreed.” I squeeze his hand.

We’re good, he and I. After this year of being married, we’re good. It’s had its ups and downs, but what marriage doesn’t?

I still wonder about him when he gets that far-away look in his eyes from time to time. Something is going on with him that he’s not sharing. I believe that he believes that everything with Camilla is solved…but I don’t know if that’s true or not. There’s still a lot about him that he’s keeping shut off from me.

I don’t question it today. Today is Martin’s birthday and it’s a time for celebration. And that’s how we’re going to keep it.

Chapter Thirteen

JACK

I’mhavingdinnerwithSarah when my phone buzzes in his hand. I can’t believe who’s calling.

Camilla.

I freeze as the phone vibrates in my hand. Across the table, Sarah gives me a questioning look.

“Sorry,” I say. “It’s work. I’ll be right back.” I leave the dining room, walk into the den, and close the door behind me. I let the phone ring two more times before I answer, my heart pounding in my ears.

---