It’s six p.m. on a Friday night, and somehow, Brody has talked me into going out and shooting hoops with some of his patients at the university. Even if they are rehabbing, their recovery game will be ten times better than my best game, but when he called me and then Rose got involved, I understood I was beaten. Instead of dropping Aspen off, Rose is bringing Lorel and Justine to the house for a girls’ night. I have no idea if Nick is joining us. He has been despondent since Emma checked herself into the commune retreat center.

Before I know it, all three ladies are on my front porch, and Aspen recognizes her mimi right away. Looking at the photo albums each night makes a big difference as her excitement gets the best of her before Justine can pick her up. “I’m coming, princess,” she says, charging at my little girl. Picking up Aspen, she takes her over to Lorel and says, “See, I have both my princess and my duchess with me tonight. That makes me a very happy mimi.”

While I slide on my tennis shoes, I hear Brody beeping his horn at me with the banter of mother and child. “What the hell am I then?” Rose asks.

As Justine now adjusts to both Aspen and Lorel in her lap, she quips, “You would be the chambermaid. Now, go get me a beer while I take in both my beauties.” I only shake my head, realizing Aspen is in good hands even with Justine and a beer. Hell, that will probably mean she’s in better hands that way. I sneak out, waving at Rose when she walks in with one of my domestic beers, and Justine roars, “Ah, S-H-I-T! Dammit, I knew I should have brought my own.” I’m glad to know Justine will at least spell out her bad words around her granddaughters.

Opening the door to Brody’s SUV, I say, “Don’t you think you should get a minivan?” It’s a joke I love to throw at him because he’s gotten all domesticated within a span of six months.

“Ah, shut the fuck up and get in the car,” he teases. “What was Justine going on about in there? Man, that woman’s voice carries.”

“No dark beer.”

“Ah, that will do it, I guess. Okay, old man, are you ready to be schooled by me and my basketball brothers?”

Giving him a little smirk, I say, “Man, I hope your mouth is not writing a check your ass can’t cash!”

He narrows his eyes at me. “You all have the weirdest sayings. Just the other day, Nick said something about Justine being full of piss and vinegar.”

Chuckling, I can’t help but reply, “Yeah, that is a great way to explain your future mother-in-law.” He only nods when I ask, “How are you both sleeping? When Aspen was just a month old, there was no way you were getting me out at night.” Of course, I was basically a single parent, so that made a difference, too.

“Well, Lorel is a great and easy baby. When we were told her diagnosis, I thought it meant everything would instantaneously be harder for us, starting as a newborn. Sure, we will face difficulties in her future, but for now, and forever, she will always be our baby girl, and I relish the fact she’s sleeping through the night. I hope she’s still doing that in two weeks when Rose is given the all clear to resume activities.”

He winks at me, and I’m fully aware of what activities he’s referring to. “Believe me, bro, all men wait for that day.” Though, with me, it didn’t ever quite come.

“Hell, I mean, she has to heal and all that shit, but fuck, I miss her in that way.”

He doesn’t have to tell me; the morning Emma and I made love before she left is the only thing that’s getting me through this past month.

“How is Emma?” Brody asks.

“She’s good. I haven’t spoken to her yet, but I heard from her therapist today. Emma wants to talk tomorrow. She assured me this is a good sign, and that she’s committed to her recovery.”

“That’s good news, right?”

Taking a deep sigh, I respond, “I hope so, I mean, with Emma, there is really no way of truly knowing. Emma has always done things according to what Emma wants and feels is right. That is one reason I didn’t fight her about being committed like Nick wanted. I knew it wouldn’t do any good if we forced this on her. I just wish she would’ve called me before she checked out of the place in LA to tell me what she was doing. I was worried as hell for two days until I knew she was somewhere safe, but I also know I’m dealing with just a shell of the Emma I once knew.”

My words, and the way I have talked and poured out to Brody, is too deep. This is supposed to be a fun-filled night away for the both of us. “Sorry, dude, I just described one of those bad Lifetime movies Ems would make me watch.”

“No, bro, it’s okay. Anytime. I can’t imagine what you are going through, man.”

“Thanks, but for now,” I say as we park in front of the gym on the campus of Gonzaga, “let’s go take out some frustration on the court. You not being able to have sex and me being a single parent for the time being.” I make sure to put emphasis on the time being. Emma is coming back to me, someway, somehow.

* * *

Arriving back at the house past ten p.m., Rose is asleep with Aspen on her chest, and Lorel is snuggled up with Justine, snoring. The baby, not Justine. It always surprises me how little babies can be such loud sleepers. I’m not surprised to see Nick since his SUV is in my driveway, but he has been avoiding me like the plague. He’s watching a college basketball game, motioning for us to be quiet with all the sleeping beauties in the room. Watching Aspen with her aunt and knowing this woman loves my little girl does something to me, and I’m overwhelmed with emotion. Before I can take in much more, Nick motions for Brody and me to join him in the kitchen.

I’m not surprised that Nick has gotten into my good stash of Canadian whisky while he retrieves a beer from the fridge for Brody and me. Sitting down at the table, Brody finally breaks the silence, talking low. “How long have they been asleep?”

“Um, for about an hour. Aspen really took to her aunt Rose. Every time she tried to hold Lorel, Aspen would cry. That is why Mimi has Lorel right now.”

Is it possible that Aspen is seeking female comfort? I mean, she has my mom and Hildy. And Justine watches her once a week, but I’m surprised she took to Rose so quickly. “How was the game?”

I laugh, looking at Brody who still is feeling sucker punched by the way we got throttled. His “Basketball Brothers” decided to team together for a two-on-two game with Brody and me on a team. “Um, well, it was fun if you are calling being handed our asses fun,” I say as Brody takes a long swig from the bottle of Budweiser.

“Ah, didn’t quite turn out the way you wanted, son?” Nick asks Brody, and he shakes his head. Turning to me, he sets down his whisky. “Tyler, I’m sorry for being an ass about Ems’s decision concerning her treatment. I just don’t understand why she has chosen something so untraditional with as many resources as we have given her.” Taking a sip of my whisky, he continues, “I heard from her today.”

My mouth falls open in surprise. He’s been acting like a kid because he didn’t get his way, but Emma reaching out to him is a good sign. I try to hide my expression since his attitude has sucked, for lack of a better term.

I can’t be mad at him for long and only laugh when I state the obvious. “Nick, this is your daughter we are talking about. Emma searches for the most obscure things in this world. Why should this be any different? We can’t force anything on her.”

He nods in agreement. “I’m just worried, and I want her back here.”

“Hell, I want nothing more either, Nick. Believe me, that is what I need.”