by Lacey Legend
Just then there was a knock on his front door and Isaac was pulled from his reverie. His face brightened as he saw through the window in the front door that his visitor was Ruby. He rushed over and opened the door, pulling her into his arms.
“Why have you been avoiding me? I’ve been worried about you for the last two days!”
Ruby sank into his arms, relieved that he wasn’t angry at her; too angry to talk. “I’m sorry, Isaac. I had a little bit of an existential crisis and just needed to sort things out.”
“What kind of crisis?” Isaac led her over to the couch and they sat next to one another, fingers interlaced.
“I have something to confess to you actually. I didn’t mean for it to happen, but it did.”
Isaac laughed, “Whoa, whoa, whoa. What happened?”
“I think I fell in love with you,” Ruby said quietly.
Isaac gathered her to his chest and planted a deep, lingering kiss on her mouth before pulling back and smiling at her. “I love you too, Ruby. As it happens, I have news as well!” Isaac stood, excitement rising in him, “I just found out I have a daughter!”
Ruby’s consciousness refused to believe that it heard what he had just said. “Pardon me?” she said.
Isaac nodded. “I just found out today that I have a daughter.”
Ruby cocked her head to one side, still processing what Isaac said. “Just found out today?”
Isaac laughed again and sat down next to her. “Yes. My ex-girlfriend Genie called my Aunt Mandy who called me and gave me the news.”
“Why did this ex-girlfriend wait until just now to tell you this?”
“I have no idea. I plan to ask her when she gets here.”
Ruby stood suddenly, a knee-jerk reaction. “Your ex is coming here? When?” She felt her heart flutter in her chest, confusion mingling with anxiety. If his ex came here with a child in tow, then what were the chances that Isaac was going to stay with her? No doubt he would want to “do the right thing” and marry his ex. Ruby shook her head to clear it. Isaac was looking at her oddly.
“This weekend,” he said repeating himself. He saw a glazed look come over Ruby’s eyes. “Don’t worry,” he said, suddenly realizing what she must be thinking. “I have no desire to get back together with Genie. But I think it’s my responsibility to at least meet my daughter.”
Ruby nodded, “Of course. Of course, Isaac. You’re right. I’m sorry, I was just really shocked by what you said. That’s all.”
Isaac gave her another deep kiss. “Are you sure you’re all sorted out? I think we’d make a hot couple, Ruby. Especially if the other night is any indication at all of what we can do together.”
Ruby smiled warmly and nodded, but she couldn’t shake the small pit of fear that had settled into her stomach. “I suppose you’ll want to prepare for your house guests. I should go back home. I have an outline and some chapters to write.”
Isaac grabbed her hand. “Oh I almost forgot. The weekend after next, my Aunt Mandy is coming down. You’ll love her. I can’t wait for you two to meet.” He planted another kiss on her lips and held the door open, watching her walk back to her own house. The memory of the other night, their date, and the hot steamy bath that followed left him with a thickening in his throat, and a tightening in his pants. He had been so mad at her for the way she just took off, but then when he saw her standing there on the other side of his front door, it had all melted away. Truth be told, Isaac had felt a little bit confused as well. He hadn’t planned on seducing his neighbor, or falling so hard for her. Considering how adversarial they had been in the beginning.
So many things to do, Isaac thought to himself.
***
Ruby spent the remainder of her day forcing herself to focus on the outline for her new book. She stopped momentarily to shoot a text message to Julia apologizing for being so out of touch.
Julia fired one back: Meet me for lunch tomorrow and tell me everything?
Okay. Promise. Name the place and time, Ruby responded.
Madison’s. 1pm.
Chapter8
Seated at Madison’s the next afternoon, Ruby spilled her guts to Julia, giving her a play-by-play of their status as a couple.
“Wow,” Julia said after her best friend had finished her tale. “Sounds spicy. You should totally use that in one of your novels.”
Ruby laughed and sipped at her ice water. Then her face became serious. “That isn’t even all of it, either. There’s more.”
“You have that look on your face; the look that says you’re about to drop a bomb of some kind.” Julia set her Mimosa down and crossed her arms.
“Some ex-girlfriend of his called recently. Apparently, Isaac has a daughter. She’s coming to visit in a few days.”
Julia’s jaw dropped. Ruby had thought the line “jaw hit the floor” was figurative. Now she realized it was quite literal. Julia was speechless, so Ruby continued.
“I have no idea what I’m going to do about it. I’m afraid she’s going to convince him somehow to get back together with her. I’d be crushed. I shouldn’t have let myself be talked into that damn date.”
Julia found her tongue, vocally so. “Bullshit. That date did you a world of good. This Genie Randles person is just a hiccup in the road, that’s all. I wouldn’t give it another thought. If Isaac wants you, he won’t be swayed.”
“What if he gets a sudden case of ‘needing to do the right thing’?” Ruby took another drink of her ice water. Their salads arrived and they talked as they chewed.
“Two people don’t have to be married to make good parents. In fact, there is science behind the theory that kids benefit from two single parents who get along, more than kids from parents who stay together and fight all the time.”
“I don’t know. It sounds reasonable, but,” Ruby let her voice trail off.
“Things will work out. I’m sure of it,” Julia said as she speared a chunk of steak and popped it into her mouth.
***
On Friday evening, Genie Randles pulled up in front of the house occupied by her ex-boyfriend and shut off the ignition. The engine in her little blue sedan rattled to a halt and she got out of the vehicle. Her overnight bag, packed to bursting, rested on the backseat. Genie retrieved it and walked up the narrow sidewalk to the front door. She looked around as she knocked, wondering what the neighbors were like. The houses were set far apart, and there were only a few of them on this small road, almost as an afterthought it seemed.
Isaac opened the door to see Genie standing on the other side. She was wearing a short plaid skirt that hit her mid-thigh, paired with a white tee-shirt and matching white bolero jacket. Her long, slender legs ended in knee-high white socks and black flats. He gave her a small smile and stood back so she could come inside. Genie looked around as she skimmed past Isaac, noticing that his hair was now dyed a white-blond, but the slim chiseled features were still there. There were new muscles rippling under the fitted shirt he wore, much to Genie’s pleasure. She gave him a coy smile as she set her bag down in the living room and looked around.
“Could use a woman’s touch,” she said simply and sat down.
“Where is Regina?” Isaac looked outside as if the child might have straggled behind to play in the field of dandelions.
“I thought I should come first and make sure the environment is suitable,” Genie said without further explanation.
“Oh. Well, that makes sense I guess. I was looking forward to meeting her, though,” Isaac said with an edge of disappointment.
“I’ll bring her next time then. So tell me how you’ve been. I was bummed to hear your parents passed.” Genie smoothed the skirt over her legs, aware that Isaac’s eyes were on her as she did so. She had worn this outfit precisely to catch his eye; she’d worn a similar one the first time they’d made love and it had driven him crazy.
“Yeah. My aunt has been a big help, though.”
There was another knock on Isaac’s door and he admitted Ruby,
who took one look at Genie’s outfit and gave the woman a languid smile. “Hello! You must be Genie.”
Genie was surprised at the interruption, but hid her irritation. She offered a hand for the newcomer to shake. “Yes. Genie Randles. Isaac and I go way back.”
“Ruby Schmidt. Next door neighbor and new girlfriend.” Ruby saw the other woman’s false smile falter slightly, but was impressed at how quickly she regained her composure.
Isaac put an arm around Ruby. “I texted Ruby when I saw you pull up. I wanted you two to meet up front, since Ruby is part of my life now. I thought it would be good for you two to get to know one another.”
“Of course,” Genie said through her plastered smile. Isaac was oblivious to the tension in the room, however.
“I’ll go get us some drinks,” he said and disappeared into the kitchen.
Ruby took a seat at the opposite end of the long couch from Genie so that Isaac could sit between them. “So, how long ago did you two break up?” Ruby asked her.
“Six years ago,” Genie said, pulling at the hem of her skirt. She hadn’t counted on there being a new woman in Isaac’s life. Amanda hadn’t mentioned this Ruby woman once during their conversation. No matter. I knew Isaac for years. “So we, you know, have a history and all that.”
Ruby shrugged, unworried. “Sounds more like ancient history. I don’t think he’s mentioned you once in the time we’ve been together.”
Genie looked away, unable to come back with any kind of witty response. Isaac came back into the living room with three glasses of lemonade. He handed one to each woman and kept one for himself, explaining that it was just a mix, but tasted pretty good anyway. He took a long drink and then looked from one woman to the other. Genie was sitting with her left leg crossed over her right knee, leaning away from the center of the couch. Ruby was sitting with her hands folded in her lap. Isaac had the distinct feeling that words had been exchanged. Maybe it was a mistake to have Ruby come over right away. Maybe he should have eased Genie into the knowledge that while he was interested in meeting his daughter, he was not interested in rekindling anything with her.
“So, Genie, tell me about Regina. How old is she now?”
“Oh, um, she’s five-and-a-half; nearly out of Kindergarten,” Genie replied. “There is this amazing private school I’d like her to get into for the elementary grades. It’s ranked in the top five in the nation, and it’s only an hour away from where we live.”
“That sounds nice,” Isaac said. “Have you already applied?”
“Not yet. I have to come up with the funds first. Plus, Reggie is such a smart little girl that she’ll no doubt be able to ace their entry test with flying colors.”
Isaac smiled. “I’m glad she’s smart. You know we weren’t always the most intelligent of people.” Isaac laughed.
Genie smiled. “Yeah. We were pretty reckless in our youth together,” she said, casting a sidelong glance at Ruby.
Ruby spoke up, “People often are more reckless in their youth. We think we are invincible and that nothing can hurt us. We think there will always be a third, fourth, or fiftieth chance to get it right.” She stood then, holding Isaac’s hand as she did so. She pulled him into an embrace and kissed him lightly. “I’m going to go so you two can catch up on your ancient history. Dinner is still on for tonight if you two don’t make other plans.”
Isaac hugged her close and then released her. “I’ll call you later and let you know.”
“It was lovely meeting you, Genie,” Ruby said, extending her hand once more to the younger girl.
“You too.” Genie gave her a small smile, and a soft squeeze of the hand before dropping it.
Back at home Ruby couldn’t help but worry a little. She had only been with Isaac a short time, and even though Genie was old news after a six year absence, she did have a child and Isaac might suddenly decide that his noble steps towards being responsible should include rekindling romance with the mother of his child.
“If he even is the father,” she said aloud to her empty house. Awfully convenient that she shows up after he inherits instead of telling him as soon as she discovered the pregnancy. Ruby shoved the thought away, not wanting to give any of her energy to petty thoughts. There were probably a million reasons why Genie chose not to come forward sooner. Not being a mother, Ruby reminded herself that she had no idea what Genie’s life was like or what made her tick. Best to give her the benefit of the doubt for now. Besides, if she came off like a jealous wife, it would do nothing but push Isaac away. Ruby had never given into insecurity in the past, and she wasn’t about to start.
To take her mind off of matters, Ruby closeted herself in her home office and continued work on her book. She had finished the outline and the first two chapters, and was ready to start moving into the meat of the plot. She had left her dashing hero and his damsel skydiving out of a burning airplane at the end of The Affair in White. The sequel, The Affair in Red, picked up where that book left off.
***
Isaac sat back down on the couch after seeing Ruby off. “She’s an amazing woman,” he commented to Genie.
“I’m sure she is. She doesn’t know you like I do though.” Genie scooted a little closer on the couch. “As I was saying before Ruby left, I would really, really like for our daughter to go to the private school. I think the curriculum there is top-notch. She’ll have all kinds of chances that we never did.” She put one hand delicately on his wrist and looked into his eyes.
Isaac nodded and extracted his wrist politely by taking another drink of his lemonade. “You’d like me to pay a portion of the tuition? Is that it?”
Genie shrugged and looked at the floor. “I’m working two jobs to make ends meet right now, and if I could get help with the down payment that would be a huge burden off my shoulders.”
“What are you doing for a living now?” Isaac recalled that when they had originally met, Genie was waiting tables at a dive that shared the walls with a strip club. Many of the diner’s waitresses also danced on stage for extra money. It was well know that the same woman owned both halves of the building and paid as little as possible to the waitresses in order to encourage them to come over to the other side of the building.
“I’m waitressing at the Truck Stop Diner and I also work as a team supervisor for a call center.”
“Both full time jobs?” Isaac asked. His aunt’s warnings were ringing in his ears, but he ignored them.
“Both part time.”
“What does your mom get up to these days? Still drinking from morning ‘til night?” Isaac remembered what a heavy drinker Genie’s mother Judith had been. The woman was usually passed out in front of the television whenever Isaac came over to “study” at Genie’s place.
Genie’s eyes flashed. “You’re a bit of a party animal since you came into money. Not sure you have a right to judge her anymore.”
Isaac put his hands up defensively. “I didn’t mean anything by it. I just remember she used to get pretty sloshed and passed out.”
Genie crossed her arms. “She still has a drinking problem yes. I don’t like to talk about her though. I’m trying to get her out of my life, actually.”
Isaac put a comforting arm around Genie’s shoulders. “I’m sorry, Genie. I didn’t mean to upset you. It can be hard getting a toxic person out of your life, though. I’ve had to do it a few times myself.”
Genie snuggled into the crook of his arm comfortably. Isaac gave her a squeeze and then stood up abruptly. “Just so we’re clear, Genie: Ruby and I really like each other. I invited you here to meet Reggie, not to rekindle anything we had. That was over six years ago, and I don’t think I could go back.”
Genie hid the irritation at the mention of his new girlfriend’s name. “Fine. Look, I need help with Reggie. I need money. She needs new clothes and the school requires uniforms and all that.”
“So did you just come to me for money then?” Isaac crossed his arms, his own ire beginning to bubble light
ly.
“Partly yes. But also because I think you should meet your daughter.”
“Why didn’t you call me when you found out you were pregnant?” Isaac countered. “Why now, of all times?”
“Because I thought I could do it on my own,” Genie said with a sob.
Isaac dropped his arms to his side but made no move to comfort his ex-girlfriend. “Fine I want to be part of her life, if I’m going to be forking out thousands of dollars for her to go to a private school. I should be part of her life anyway; I’ve never done anything illegal or reckless, at least not as an adult.”
Genie looked at him through lowered lashes, “You have a record now, though.”
Isaac sighed. “Yeah. I did some stupid shit while working through grief. But that is beside the point. Who is Reggie staying with while you’re here, anyway?”
“Oh, I have a woman who babysits her while I work. She agreed to keep her for a few days while I’m here.”
“That’s a dedicated babysitter,” Isaac observed. “You should have her bring Reggie here. The sitter is welcome to stay as well if you think you’ll need a nanny while you’re here.”
“I’ll think about it and call her to see if that would work.” Genie had to concede that if she was going to ask Isaac for such a large sum of money, he was of course going to want to meet the little girl.
“Do you want to have dinner at Ruby’s tonight? She offered to make a big meal for all of us to share.”
“Um,” Genie started, tucking her blond hair behind her ear. “I’d rather not, if that’s okay? I kind of wanted to just catch up with you.”
Isaac nodded. “Okay. I’ll call her and let her know we have other plans. Take a look through the restaurant app on my laptop and see where you want to go for dinner.”
***
Ruby wondered what Isaac and Genie were up to. She decided to call her BFF and ask for advice.
“Oh my,” Julia said in surprise. “I wouldn’t let that gold digger anywhere near Isaac, dearest.”
“I know, I know. But it’s not really up to me. If the little girl really is Isaac’s daughter, then I have no right to say whether Genie can be in his life or not.”
