Background
Thirty something, Jameson meets seventy something, Iris. They bond over coffee. This is the story of their unlikely friendship.
|
This novella is written in dual person points of view. Each chapter will be labeled to show who is narrating.
So far, Jameson has met Iris. His marriage is falling apart and he has called his estranged wife's bluff and hired an attorney. Iris is getting her affairs in order and has changed her will.
*********************************
JAMESON
I convince Claire to come get the items I've packed up for her. Initially, she wanted to leave Fin with her sister but I made it clear I expected to see him when she showed up.
He's excited to see Heston, who is equally excited to see him. The two of them make an odd couple. But it does my heart good to see them interacting. Heston makes little whimpering noises as he wags his back end. He circles Claire but she pushes him aside impatiently.
"He hasn't gotten any calmer, I see," she says stepping around him.
"He's just excited to see you."
Reluctantly, she runs her hand across the top of his head, once, and only once. She was never a fan of Heston's. She thought he was adorable when I brought him home at eight weeks old, but as soon as she realized how big he would grow, he wound up on her shit list ... as did I.
"I'll take Finny to the playground and we'll grab McDonald's. I packed as much as I could find, but look around to see if I've missed anything."
She makes a terse little noise in her throat. There is no eye contact today.
"Claire, this is for the best."
An icy smile graces her face. "The divorce or cleaning any trace of me out of here."
I take a deep sobering breath. "Is this how it's going to be from now on?"
"What? You expect us to be friends?"
Don't fight in front of Fin. Just pick him up and leave. But I can't get to the door before I say what's circling the tip of my tongue. "Why would I expect us to be friends now? We've never been friends, Claire."
"Fuck you, Jameson. Fuck you for that."
Instantaneous regret hits me. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."
I don't wait for her response or for her to accept my apology. I go into the living room and crouch down beside Fin. "Want to go to the playground?"
His eyes light up, and he scrambles off the couch. His fat little fingers wrap around my thumb as he pulls me towards the front door.
"Claire, we're heading out. If you need anything, just text me."
Finny is blowing kisses to Heston and as I turn around I see Claire, leaning against the door frame to the bedroom. Nothing remotely akin to warmth is in her eyes. I see a stranger.
**********************************
Fin and I build rock castles at the playground. Every time I get one going, he runs over and knocks it down. He erupts with laughter as I throw my hands in the air. I jump up and chase him, then scoop him into my arms and tell him I'm going to eat him up. His laughter melts away any of the anxiety I felt with Claire back at the house. I feel human again.
"Let's go get some dinner. We can take a milkshake to your mom, okay?"
Fin shakes his head no.
"Sorry, buddy, but I'm overriding you on this. We will take one back to her."
**********************************
She's sitting on the couch when we get home. Heston curled up beside her. She looks up and I can see her red rimmed eyes. Though she isn't crying now, I can tell she has been.
"Brought you a milkshake. It was Fin's idea." I hold the cup out to her.
Fin crawls up into her lap and leans his head back against her. "Thank you, Finny," she says, kissing the top of his head. Her eyes settle on me and she smiles just enough to let me know she appreciates the peace offering.
"If you're hungry, I can fix you something."
She shakes her head. "It's a long drive and it'll be getting dark soon. We need to hit the road."
It's just as well. End on a good note. I carry the boxes to her car, loading all that I can in the trunk and next to Fin's car seat. "I'll bring whatever is left when I come see Fin this weekend."
Claire stands, looks around. "I guess this is it." She takes it all in, not to see if she's left anything, rather to say goodbye to us. "Are you going to go for full custody?"
"No. You're a wonderful mother, Claire. He needs both of us. Why would I cheat him out of that?"
She shrugs. "Just figured when you told me you got a lawyer, you'd go for my throat."
"I still love you, Claire. I never wanted to hurt you. And, I never want to hurt Fin. He needs both of us."
She chews the inside of her lip and looks away. "We better go," she says softly.
I lean over and kiss her cheek. "I wish more than anything things were different."
I walk them out, fastening Fin into the car seat and giving him a hug and a kiss. Then I close Claire's door and step back.
As she pulls out of the driveway, I realize my marriage is over. We didn't end it screaming and yelling at each other. We ended it the same way it began, with a kiss.
Now, that's irony for you.
