by J. R. Tate
“We can’t let this happen again,” Charlie said, though it was painful. “The only time we need to be around each other is for the kids.”
“You’re right,” Cassie agreed. “Listen, I…”
Charlie held his hand up to stop her. “No, don’t say anything. There’s no need to. This was a mistake and I shouldn’t have even come here tonight. We were acting out of emotion. What we had is over.”
“Yes, what we had is over.” She bit her lip again and looked down at the floor. “You good with picking the kids up from the bus stop on Friday afternoon?”
“Yeah. I’ll be there.”
“Okay. It drops them off about three-thirty and the monitor only sticks around until about four, so don’t be late. I’ll come get them Sunday afternoon, unless you need me to come earlier.”
Charlie let out a sigh. It was surreal – every single bit of the situation. Minutes ago he was about to have sex with a woman who didn’t love him anymore and the next, they are talking about mundane, everyday things like it hadn’t even happened. Life was funny.
“Sunday afternoon is fine.” He ran his hand through his hair. “I better get out of here. Wouldn’t want to be spotted.”
As if he were a burglar, he hurried out of the house and out to his truck where he waited a few seconds before getting back inside. He stared at the house and how so much inside seemed the same, but so much was different. The front living room light turned off, but he could swear he saw Cassie watching him from the window.
He had toyed with the idea of not loving Cassie anymore. He was stuck in the middle, playing games with his own heart. Tonight made it clear that the love was gone. There would always be the bond between them because she was the mother of his children, but past that, he had to move on. He couldn’t let lust cloud his judgment or get in the way again. Cassie and the kids didn’t deserve it.
It was a new chapter in his life, a new era, and he was done putting himself through hell to figure out his feelings. If there was one thing he got out of tonight, it was the confirmation that the feelings between him and Cassie were mutual – the only reason they’d ever have to keep in touch was for the kids and nothing more. And for the first time, Charlie was one hundred percent certain that it was the right thing to do.
Chapter Two
“So you really are officially divorced?” Mary chewed on her straw, sitting across from Charlie in a booth. Maybe it wasn’t the appropriate thing to talk about with him, but if he was uncomfortable, he wasn’t making any indication about it. She had known him for a long time and he never was a man of many words, but he said so much with his facial expressions. Right now he seemed tense, but who wouldn’t be after going through a divorce?
“I’m officially a single man, as Todd put it the other night.”
The waitress brought their burgers out to them and Mary dipped a French fry in a glob of ketchup. It was normal on Fridays to spot him and Todd at the café across from the mechanic shop and she’d occasionally eat with them.
“So where’s your partner in crime?”
“Todd? He said something about going back to his place to get his boat ready. He’s going to the lake this weekend. I closed the shop early today. Guess he’s getting a jump start on his time off.”
Biting into her burger, Mary nodded. “Yeah? Why are you closing early?”
“I am getting the kids this weekend. I don’t want to be late picking them up or I’ll never see them again. One little screw up and it’ll be special visitations, you know?”
Mary never knew Cassie well, but she always got the feeling that she was capable of anything. “She’d really do that to you?”
“One hair out of place and I’m certain she’ll change her mind about full custody.”
Sipping on her soda, Mary waved at a few of the other people she recognized from the bar. “Any time a marriage ends in divorce, it’s sad. But I think you’re better off, and I’m not just saying that. Don’t take this the wrong way. I’m your friend, yeah?”
“You keep saying that,” Charlie replied, laughing.
Slugging him in the arm, she continued. “It’s like she had your balls in a pair of pliers, ready to clamp down. Sounds like you got out before she could.”
“I wouldn’t be too sure about that, Mary.” He finished his drink and the waitress was quick to get him a refill.
“What makes you say that?”
“The other night after I left the bar, I sort of…” he trailed off, looking away.
“You sort of what?”
“I did something stupid. I went back to the house, her house now, I guess, and well…”
Mary’s eyes widened. “You didn’t! Please tell me you didn’t!”
He dipped the last bite of his burger in the ketchup on his plate and ate it, unwilling to make eye contact. “I stopped it before anything happen.” He looked up, his green eyes pleading with her like a kid about to be put in timeout for doing something he knew he shouldn’t have done. “We got real close. She was pretty pissed when I stopped it.” He paused to wipe his mouth with a napkin and adjusted the ball cap he was wearing. “I never should’ve let it get as far as it did.”
“Please don’t tell me you’re gonna be the guy who keeps screwing his ex-wife.”
“Nah, I won’t be. It was an eye opener. Now I know I’m strong enough to avoid her advances. And she was mad enough that I don’t think she’ll try again.”
Pushing her plate aside, Mary wasn’t sure what to say. Charlie was one of her best friends and he had been there for her during rough patches in her life, but this was different. This was something she had never experienced personally. “I’ve never been divorced, so I can’t sit here and scold you for it. But I do know it’s hard loving someone who doesn’t love you anymore. And I’m not going to hand you any bullshit cliché lines because if you did it to me, I’d beat the shit out of you for it.”
That made Charlie smile, and it eased the building tension. “That’s just it, Mary. I don’t love her anymore. And that last romp in the sheets proved it. So yeah, while it was a bonehead move on my part, it was the last step I needed to move on. At least we didn’t go all the way.”
“Romp in the sheets? Jeez, Charlie, you’ve really given this some thought. I’d say if you didn’t have the kids tonight, stop by the bar and all the drinks would be on me.”
“Yeah, that’s an easy offer since you know I can’t come.” Charlie winked and reached for his phone in his pocket. “Hello? Hey Skylar.” He looked toward Mary, his smile fading into a frown, his lips set in a hard line. “What do you mean, you’re at my house? I thought…” He stopped, and Mary could hear Skylar’s voice, but not what she was saying. “You’re supposed to call me or your mother to let us know. Does your mom know? Just stay put. I’ll be there in a minute. We’ve gotta get your brother from the bus stop.” He ended the call and put the phone back in his pocket. “Definitely a rain check, and I’m gonna hold you to it. For now, I gotta pick up Skylar at my place and get Gavin at the bus stop. I gotta watch my every move until Sunday afternoon.” He looked down at his watch. “Call me later.”
“I will. Have a great time with the kids!”
Cassie watched him leave; making note that it was only three o’clock. It was a shame he felt like that about Cassie and the kids, but it was accurate. She’d use anything she could against him.
“All done, hon?” the waitress asked as she gathered up their plates.
“Yes ma’am, we’re done. Thanks.”
She had to be at the bar at four and it would be weird without Charlie there. He had been visiting nightly since his split from Cassie, but she was glad he was getting time with Skylar and Gavin. One step at a time, and she couldn’t wait for her pal to find happiness again.
***
Charlie pulled up in his driveway, his anger flaring. If Cassie heard about this, even if it wasn’t his fault, she’d put an end to the weekend visit immediately. Leaving the truck running, he approa
ched her and she didn’t look up from her phone.
“Skylar, stop texting for a second.”
She mumbled something but continued, and Charlie reached for the phone, stripping it from her fingers.
“Hey, Dad, I was in the middle of a text!”
“Who did you say gave you the ride here?”
She reached for the phone but he kept it out of her reach. “Sarah’s mom. She had no problem with it.”
Charlie let out a deep sigh and folded his arms over his chest, nodding toward his neighbor on the other side of the duplex. “Why didn’t you call me or your mom?”
“I didn’t think about it, gosh!” She raised her voice, rolling her eyes as she stood up. “Let me have my phone.”
“No.” Charlie glanced at his watch. “We gotta get to the bus stop. Gavin is by himself and I’m scared he won’t know to get off.”
“He will. The bus monitor knows it is his stop!”
Charlie leaned against one of the posts on the porch, attempting to keep his cool. “Part of the reason I want you riding the bus is to keep an eye on your little brother. Let’s get in the truck and go get him.”
Skylar took a few steps back and shook her head. “I’ll just stay here. The bus stop isn’t far away.”
“I’m not leaving you here alone.” His tone was stern and he moved toward her. “Get in the truck, Skylar.”
“Mom lets me stay home alone sometimes. Why can’t you?” She glared at him, her eyes darting from her phone in his hand and back up to his face.
“Mom lets you stay home alone?” Charlie’s voice caught in his throat. Maybe she was old enough. He was never good at stuff like this.
“Yes, she does. She trusts me. Do you not trust me?”
“I trust you, Skylar.” Was she doing that to make him feel bad? If so, she was damn good at playing the guilt card. “Listen, I’ll go get Gavin and let you stay here if you promise me that you’ll stay inside.” He extended his hand. “Here’s your phone.”
She smiled. “Thanks, Dad. I’ll go sit on the couch.”
Charlie unlocked the door for her and as he made his exit, double-checked the lock to make sure it was secure. Backing up the truck, he pulled out on the street and checked his watch again. He’d be hitting the bus stop just in time to get Gavin, and hopefully Skylar was right – hopefully the bus monitor would help the little kids with their stops.
Gavin was standing with an older woman by a bench, blowing on a bubble wand and watching the bubbles float into the air. He’d giggle and the monitor helped dip it back into the soapy water.
“Hey Gav, you ready to go home?” Charlie yelled from a few yards away. The child’s eyes lit up at the sight of his father, and he finished blowing the bubbles away before handing it all back to the woman.
“Daddy!” Running toward him, he adjusted his book bag that was practically bigger than he was. Charlie scooped him up in his arms and hugged him.
“How was school, kiddo?”
“Fun! Miss Rita is letting me blow her bubbles!” He pointed toward the woman, his grin wide.
“Hey Miss Rita, I’m Charlie Wright, Gavin’s father.”
She shook his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“Daddy, Skylar didn’t ride the bus today. Sometimes she doesn’t.”
“I know.” Charlie ruffled his hair. “She’s at the house. You’ll see her in a minute.” He glanced over his shoulder at Miss Rita and waved. “Thanks for watching him until I got here. It was nice to meet you.”
“It was my pleasure. Gavin is a good kid.”
Charlie strapped Gavin in the back seat and said, “You ready to have some fun this weekend?”
“I am! Mommy said we’ll get to stay with you all night!”
“For two nights, bud!” Charlie held out two fingers. “Let’s get back to the house and get the fun started.”
Gavin was so excited when they got back to the house that Charlie almost couldn’t get him unbuckled fast enough. Running up to the porch, his son jumped around, his book bag rattling around. Charlie wondered what he had inside it – gumballs, key chains, and whatever else boys liked to collect. Reaching for his keys, he unlocked the front door and they went inside. Expecting to see Skylar on the couch, he revealed an empty living room. The TV was on a music video – a song he wasn’t familiar with.
“Skylar?” He took Gavin’s backpack and put it near the door. Maybe she went to the bathroom.
Walking down the hallway, he checked each room. The duplex only had two bedrooms and one bathroom, and she wasn’t in any of those rooms either. Gavin was content on the couch, watching the singers dance around on the screen. Turning the corner into the kitchen, he was sure he’d see her, but she wasn’t there either.
“Skylar?” This time, he yelled, but there was no response.
Opening the back door, he checked the yard. Nothing. Where in the hell was she? Grabbing his phone, he dialed her number and it continuously rang until her voicemail finally picked up.
“Skylar, call me back as soon as you get this. If you left to go to a friend’s house, you need to let us know. I trusted you to stay at the house like you promised you would.”
He slid the phone in his pocket and went back inside. Gavin had fallen asleep on the couch, his thumb in his mouth – an old habit he had since he was a baby, still unable to break the addiction. Sitting on the arm of the recliner, Charlie stared at the TV. Another song was on, and he reached for the remote, clicking the TV off. His phone vibrated and he quickly looked at it, hoping Skylar had come to her senses and called back, but it was just a text from Cassie checking to make sure the afternoon had gone okay, or in her way, checking up on him.
Shit! How was she going to take this if Skylar ended up going to a friend’s house? And even worse – what if she knew she had caught a ride? It was probably best for him to come completely clean with her. It was as if Cassie was testing him every step of the way.
He ignored the text at first – he had never been one to answer immediately, so it wouldn’t seem strange. Dialing Skylar’s number again, his stomach sank when it went straight to voicemail. Debating on leaving another message, he didn’t, and instead, hung up and sent her a text. That’s how kids were now – it was all about the text message, rather than actually speaking to one another.
Call me! Now!
Staring at the text for a few seconds, he pushed send and waited. He debated on going to look for her. What if she came back while he was gone? What in the hell was he supposed to do? He didn’t have any of her friend’s numbers to call and check on her.
Another text from Cassie came in, asking him the same question. The longer he waited, the worse this could get. He tried Skylar’s number one more time, and again, it went straight to voicemail. Standing, he began to pace. Not saying anything to Cassie was wrong. If Skylar did just go to a friend’s house, Cassie would hopefully understand. It didn’t matter – what mattered was the safety of his child. To hell with what Cassie thought of him.
He eased Gavin from the couch, trying not to wake him. It’d be best for him to sleep through whatever was about to happen. Climbing into the cab, he backed out and headed to Cassie’s house. He thought about calling the police, but what if she just didn’t call like earlier? Wasn’t there the twenty-four hour rule that a person isn’t considered missing until after that time frame? Or was that something he had seen on TV that wasn’t true?
He couldn’t control his thoughts. It was like the world was flying past him at a high rate of speed, but in slow motion, all at the same time. It probably wasn’t safe for him to drive, and when he turned the corner onto Cassie’s road, he could swear the truck was on two wheels.
Cassie was out on the porch when he pulled up, and he fought the urge to vomit. This wasn’t going to go well, but to hell with it. They had to come together and find Cassie.
He got out and noticed that Gavin was awake. He ran up to the house and Charlie wasn’t far behind, a sense of dread coursing thr
ough him. Cassie met him in the yard, her hands on her hips. “Charlie, what in the hell are you doing here? Where is Skylar?”
“Did you know she got a ride with a friend today? Went to my house without even letting me know.”
“No, I didn’t know that. What is going on, Charlie?” Cassie’s eyes widened. Her defenses were already up.
“I had to go pick up Gavin. She said you always let her stay home alone, and I figured it’d only take fifteen minutes tops to get him, so I agreed to let her stay at my place if she promised to stay in the living room and keep the door locked. When I got back from picking up Gav…” he trailed off, scrubbing his hand down the back of his neck.
“What, Charlie? What in the hell happened?”
“She wasn’t at the house. The TV was on, but she’s nowhere to be found. I called her several times. I left her a voicemail. So far, nothing.”
“You don’t know where she is?” Cassie’s voice rose so loud that neighbors were starting to come out to see what the commotion was. “Where could she have gone, Charlie?”
“We don’t have time for you to stand out here and scream at me. Do you have phone numbers for her friend’s? Maybe she went over to one of their houses? She was mad at me. I argued with her about getting the ride. Maybe she’s doing this to… you know, to get back at me.”
Cassie went in the house and grabbed her cell phone. She made several calls, all with no luck. Charlie stood in the threshold of the kitchen, keeping one eye on Gavin as he played a video game on the TV, and one eye on Cassie, her posture becoming more defeated with each call.
Putting her phone on the table, she looked up at him, her eyes red, on the verge of crying. “We gotta go to the police, Charlie. No one has seen her. She’s not at anyone’s house.”
“Let’s go. We probably already should have.”
***
The police station was bigger than Charlie had expected. Getting there was a blur, and the last thing he remembered was dropping Gavin off with Cassie’s mother. He didn’t remember the drive or how he even got inside the building. He wanted to shove through to the front of the line, but the desk sergeant was keeping it under control, hindering his attempt to expedite his situation. It seemed like with every passing second that they were wasting time – like Skylar would be doomed even worse if they couldn’t get up to talk to someone. He hoped to God she was just at a friend’s house. He’d hug her and be thankful, but he’d also feel like he’d need to scold her. He’d probably be overcome with so much relief that any chance of punishing her would fade, and that would be okay, as long as he knew she was safe.
