Keep Happy

by A. C. Bextor

  “Let him in,” I tell her. “I’m good.”

  Greta narrows her eyes, but moves to the side for him to enter.

  Thomas makes it two steps inside before I give, “If you’ve come to tell me to stay away from any of those girls, it won’t happen. You can save your energy.”

  Thomas straightens his posture and squares my gaze to his.

  “Telling you to stay away would send Averie in a tizzy,” he admits. “Neither you nor I need that. She’s already in a state.”

  Likely true, he’s right.

  “Then what’re you here for?”

  “I hadn’t imagined this to happen for months down the road, but what happened to Averie…” Thomas pauses, takes a breath, and steps farther into the room. “The men in my girls’ lives need to talk.”

  “We’re good, Thomas. We have nothing to talk about.”

  I should consider my tone, being that I’m laid up in a hospital bed without witnesses. But I’m in no mood to cower.

  “You’re a captive audience,” he insists, pointing around the room. “Hear me out.”

  “This heart-to-heart gonna take a while?”

  Smiling with unease, he looks down to the uncomfortable metal chair near the bed.

  “Take a seat,” I reluctantly offer. “Seems you’re set on a chat.”

  Doing as I’ve invited, he formally states, “I came here to thank you.”

  “Thank me?”

  To keep from laughing I look away.

  I’ve fucked this man’s wife.

  I’ve spent time with his daughters.

  For years, I’ve done unimaginable damage to his marriage, to his life, and he wants to thank me.

  The irony in the difference between our reactions would be funny if all this shit wasn’t happening to me. But it is, so let’s get this over with.

  “You saved Averie. You put her life ahead of yours.”

  “Comes with the job, Thomas. Not to mention, I’m the reason she was in harm’s way.”

  Sternly nodding once, he starts to agree but stops. When he scoots the chair, positioning it closer to the bed, I tense.

  “I wasn’t the father or husband I should’ve been to any of my girls.”

  “This you apologizin’ to me for that? ‘Cause I’m not the one who deserves to hear it. They do.”

  Smiling, he shakes his head. “No. I’m saying, had I not been a selfish prick, Averie wouldn’t have been with you to begin with.”

  Yes, she would’ve, I think but don’t say. Thomas still hasn’t realized that Katie was always mine. Gone or not, she never stopped loving me. We would’ve ended up here, no matter what or where life had in store.

  I don’t go into facts or details. I’m too tired and don’t care if he understands or not.

  I offer only, “Good you see things that way.”

  Thomas sits back, resting his hands to his thighs. He eyes me hesitantly before insisting, “I need something from you.”

  “I’m not leaving Katie, Thomas. Not again. Did it once. Regretted it and not about to do it again.”

  Lifting his hand, he placates with, “Stop.”

  Ignoring him and pushing to ensure he gets my point, I continue, “I fucked up letting her go years ago. Won’t do it again.”

  “Cole,” he warns.

  “You’re right. You weren’t the husband you should’ve been. You had over fifteen years to be the husband you promised you would be. Now you can step the fuck back, ‘cause it’s my turn.”

  Appearing satisfied with himself, Thomas relaxes. “And that’s exactly what I came here for.”

  “What?”

  “My Katherine loves you.”

  My Katherine.

  I should be pissed hearing the term come from him, but for once maybe he sees what he had and lost. I’ll let him have this. Once.

  “She always did love you. In ways, I knew this from the beginning of us but didn’t want to admit it.”

  “And I’ve always loved her.”

  Smiling, heartbrokenly so, he admits, “I always knew that too.”

  “I’d tell you I’m sorry, but it wouldn’t do either of us any good.”

  “Probably not because you wouldn’t mean it.”

  “Probably right,” I give him. “I wouldn’t.”

  As if reciting memories to himself, those he lost but now are back, he tells me, “Katherine always had a sad look on her face when she thought I wasn’t watching.”

  “I’ve seen it,” I confess. “Many times.”

  “I’m sure you have.”

  “She loved you, too,” I admit to him, but using past tense. At one time, I believe this true. You don’t sleep with another man and have remorse if there aren’t some feelings there.

  “She never loved me in a way that mattered.”

  “She loves you for what you gave her,” I confess, “and that does matter.”

  “The girls,” he guesses.

  “Yes. Those girls are the world to her.”

  “And she’ll always have them. I’d never take them from her.”

  “Good to know ‘cause I imagine Averie’s been makin’ plans for family vacations, which include all of us. I mean, all of us.”

  “Oh, that girl,” he sighs through his words. “She’ll never stop.”

  “I hope she doesn’t.”

  My cell phone alerts with an incoming text and I turn my head to the table at my side. It’s not the message I focus on, though. It’s what I hadn’t seen there before.

  On the table sits a generic greeting card. A yellow smiley face is printed on the front. Nothing is written inside. No engraved sentiment and no personal signature.

  I smile wide.

  “What’s funny?” Thomas asks.

  Pointing to the card I know is from Katie, I reply, “That.”

  He’s confused, of course, but I don’t explain. My heart swells, tightening my chest. I want this talk with him over with, so I can get her ass in here to ensure she’s okay.

  “That’s from Katherine,” Thomas presumes correctly. “You…” he pauses, regroups, and calmly says, “She kept them all.”

  “What?”

  “Your cards. They’d come to the house. Every year. They’re in a box on the floor of our bedroom closet. I never had the slightest idea who they were from. I never even asked.” Shaming himself, he shakes his head and looks down. “God, I was so neglectful.”

  “Maybe you weren’t. Maybe you were just married to the wrong woman.”

  “I was. I should’ve noticed random unsaid messages being sent to her.”

  “We about done?” I press, hoping he’s finished.

  Luckily he is. Thomas stands, extends his hand and when I take it he says, “I’ll corral the girls and send them in.”

  “Thanks for the warning.”

  Thomas smiles. “Take care, Cole.”

  “You too.”

  Stopping at my door and turning with the handle in hand, he reminds, “And, maybe the next time you take Averie shopping, just let her buy you the sweater. I’ve heard nothing but how impossible you are to shop for.”

  “She can buy you the sweater,” I counter.

  Looking down at his own, he pulls some of the material from the front of his chest. “I don’t wear yellow. I wear this because Averie insists it brings out the blond in my hair.”

  With that, I smile as he turns to leave.

  Sweet, determined Averie or not, I’m still never wearing fucking purple.

  THE MOMENT THE DOOR TO my room opens, Averie races over its threshold. My heart skips a beat and any concern I had in regards to Thomas’ visit subsides.

  “McButterpants!” Averie exclaims, eyes wide and smiling. “You’re awake!”

  “Averie Marie,” Katie snaps at her back. “Wait!”

  Ignoring her mother, Averie’s determination carries her forward. She lands on the bed at my side and cradles herself not so carefully next to me. Her arm drapes over my waist and her head rests against m
y chest. She tries to get in closer, and it takes all my energy in order to hide my wince of pain.

  “What in the world took you so long?” she questions, glaring up with a frown.

  Running my hand to clear her long blonde hair from her face, I answer, “Happy to see you’re still you.”

  Confused, she creases her nose and returns, “Well, who else would I be?”

  My attention is pulled when a subtle clearing of throat breaks from across the room.

  Amelia stands at her mother’s side. Her cheeks are red and her eyes are shining with unshed tears. She’s lost all makeup and her clothes are more relaxed and reserved than I’ve seen on her to date.

  Leaving her, my gaze moves to Katie where she gives me a small, shy smile.

  “Mom’s wearing flip-flops,” Averie whispers in my ear, accompanied by a giggle. “I’ve never seen my mom in flip-flops.”

  I chance a look down at Katie’s feet, where I find Averie’s observation to be true. Katie’s not wearing just any pair of flip-flops. She’s wearing a pair of obviously new yellow flip-flops. Adding to those is a pink plastic flower nestled between her pink painted toenails.

  “They look good on her, don’t you think?” Averie prompts.

  “They look like something she used to wear,” I answer Averie, but do it looking at Katie.

  “I love them,” Averie decrees. “She said she’d take me to get me a pair just like them this weekend.”

  “That’s good,” I reply for anything better to say.

  “And do you see her clothes?” Averie charges on. “I picked them out. They aren’t even hers!” she exclaims. “The shirt is Amelia’s and the skirt is Connie’s. My mother is wearing a short jean skirt!”

  My blood runs hot. Katie’s legs are long, toned, and the skirt hits mid-thigh. I’d forgotten how she looked dressed like this—younger and more at ease.

  “Your mom looks perfect,” I whisper. In response, Averie squeezes me into her again.

  Katie blushes, looks down, and moves the hair from her face, tucking behind her ear.

  “Averie said you saved her from that man,” Amelia addresses the room quietly. Taking two steps in front of her mother, she adds, “Is that true?”

  Amelia still hasn’t thawed. Not even a little the last few weeks. She’s reluctant to accept my new position in her life and that’s okay. I’ve given her the room she needs to have to understand this on her own.

  “I told you it was true,” Averie snips at her sister. “You didn’t believe me. I told you he wouldn’t ever let anyone hurt me.”

  Rubbing the back of Averie’s head, I garner her attention. “You did really good, buddy. I’m proud of you.”

  Averie’s eyes widen in disbelief.

  “You callin’ me ‘buddy’ now?” she questions.

  “I just did.”

  “Wow. You must be hurtin’. You’ve never called me anything but brat.”

  “Did you save her?” Amelia presses, interrupting Averie’s confusion.

  Having no idea how she’ll react, I go easy. “I did what I needed to do so Averie wouldn’t be in danger.”

  “So you saved her,” Amelia utters in return.

  I chance a look to Katie, standing behind at her oldest daughter’s side. Her gaze is locked on Amelia. She runs her hand over her daughter’s head, taking her long hair in her fingers with it.

  “I’d never let anything happen to any of you, if I could help it,” I state the promise plainly.

  Amelia walks toward Averie and me. Katie’s hand suspended in air, drops and her mouth falls open.

  Walking herself to my bed in hurried steps, Amelia comes to lie on the other side of her sister. The room is small, and the bed is just as tiny. But as I imagine these girls have done a thousand times before, they make room for each other without having to ask for it.

  “Thank you,” Amelia says, not touching me but wrapping her arm around her sister and resting her chin on Averie’s head.

  “Everything worked out,” I reply. “Everyone is all right.”

  “You’re not all right,” Averie mumbles into my chest. “When can we break you outta here, anyway? I have a soccer game tomorrow, and Mom said you need your rest because you’re going.”

  Glancing up, I catch Katie looking away.

  “She did, did she?”

  “Yep. My dad cancelled his business trips for the next three weeks. Up until soccer season is done so he could make all my games. We’re all going.” Averie informs. “McKayla’s family never misses her game. There’s like ten people we have to make room for. Now I’ll have my own cheer squad.”

  Katie smiles, closing the distance between us. She stops as she comes to stand behind her girls. She places her hand on Amelia’s hip and sighs.

  “Girls, can I get a second alone with the patient?”

  Giving up but doing it quietly, Amelia stands to give Averie room to move. But Averie being who she is will do only as she wants. She grasps hold of me tighter around the waist. Averie closes her eyes.

  “Sweetheart,” Katie utters. “A minute?”

  Sitting up, but not doing it quietly, Averie turns to her mom. “Five minutes. That’s all you get. Then Amelia and I are coming back.”

  “Five minutes,” Katie confirms, half-smirking, half-annoyed.

  Averie squeezes my hand, calling for my attention. When I turn to her, I nod my approval.

  “Do what your mother asks,” I instruct. “Missed dinner. You and Amelia find me somethin’ in this place worth eatin’.”

  “All over it, McButterPants,” Averie quickly complies, standing and dropping my hand. When I think she’s about to turn away, the light touch of her warm lips on my cool cheek spears my chest. “Sit tight. I’ll bring you back something delicious. We’ll share.”

  We’ll share.

  “Sounds good, brat,” I utter.

  Averie giggles. Katie grins, extends her arm, and wraps it around her daughter’s shoulders, kissing the crown of her head. Then both Averie and Amelia take toward my door.

  I’ve been lying in this bed wounded a few hours. In that time, Averie has gone from being my nurse, my mother, my friend, and now as it is, my fucking keeper.

  Once the girls leave, Katie takes a seat in the chair next to the bed. The one her husband sat in earlier this afternoon.

  I’m hoping this conversation goes as easy as the last.

  “Miss me?” I query.

  Tears fall from her eyes when she looks up and gets I’m playing.

  “I’m not sure whether to hug you or hit you,” she starts, quickly looking down. “I’m so mad!”

  “I’m fine, Katie.”

  “You’re fine?”

  “I’m fine. Or I will be.”

  “What do you mean, you will be?”

  Giving her what’s been on my mind for fucking days, I sit up and dictate, “Done fuckin’ around. The girls know me. They like me. If I had to guess, they love me for you.”

  “Mason,” she murmurs through a sigh.

  “I agreed,” I tell her. “I know I did. Thought they needed time. But I’m not givin’ this more time. You’re mine. The girls are already half-mine.”

  “Thomas doesn’t…”

  “Thomas has shit to work on. We’ll support him doin’ what he’s gotta do with Amelia. But I’m either movin’ into your place or you’re movin’ into mine.”

  “Honey, we’ve been on one date.”

  “The last month, yes. But the last twenty years, baby, we’ve been on more than I can count.”

  Contemplating, she fidgets with her hands while looking at her feet.

  “Katie, come here.”

  “I went shopping today,” she tells me. “I looked everywhere for these shoes.”

  “Katie—”

  “After I couldn’t find any, I thought to make them.”

  “Get over here.”

  “I was standing in line at a nice department store when a man named Captain Riggs called to tell me
what happened. He insisted Averie was fine.”

  “Katie, damn it.”

  “But he said you were in an ambulance on the way to the hospital.”

  “That was for Averie.”

  “She told me,” Katie relays. “And she also told me nothing would ever happen to you if she could prevent it.”

  Laughing hurts, but I do it anyway.

  “Well?” I prod.

  Straight-faced, Katie states, “I think we’re ready to take our relationship to the next level.”

  “Then come here,” I push.

  Shaking her head, she denies my request.

  “After Thomas’ affair, I stayed in my empty marriage for my girls.”

  “I know this,” I confirm. “You did what you thought they needed.”

  “I’ve changed so much since then.”

  “But you also haven’t.”

  “I’m not the girl you used to know.”

  “No, Katie,” I agree. “You’re not, but now you’re the woman I still love.”

  Her eyes soften but she still explains, “I’ll never let another person, another situation, define what happens in my life again.”

  “Baby,” I call, but she powers on.

  With her expression pensive, she swears, “I love you. I’ve always loved you. But I love my girls as much, if not more.”

  Pride swells for her. The truth in knowing she’s doing this right, not only for her girls but also for herself, is a relief. Life is short. Who knows how long of happy we’ll have at this second chance before another tragic event comes. Things happen all the time. Lives are interrupted, cut short without warning. But being through all she’s been through, Katie’s learned a lot.

  “There will never come a day you don’t wake up and know that you and those girls are the most important pieces of my life.”

  “I don’t want you to—”

  “They come with you, Katie. And I’m glad they do. Averie’s a shit, but she’s good to her core. Amelia’s tough, but in a way I understand.”

  “You care about them.”

  “I love them because they’re you.”

  “Okay,” she gives.

  “Now are you gonna kiss me or what?”

  Katie blinks, then starts her way over.

  Once she’s finally settled in my arms. The door bursts open and our time together is over.

  At least now we have the rest of our lives to make up for all the time we’ve missed.