Chapter 5
Jonas
Eddie took one look at me and rolled his eyes. “Are you serious with that stuffy tie?”
“Too much?”
“It’s just drinks, right?”
“Should I even be having this conversation with you?” I laughed. “Yes, it’s just drinks.”
“And it’s last-minute, so don’t do too much. You don’t want him to think that you’re always ready and waiting on him, or something like that.”
“It’s nothing like that. We’re just both single dads, and when I texted him yesterday, he suggested blowing off a little steam before our date this weekend would be a good idea.”
“Make sure you don’t make last-minute dates a habit. You want a guy that values your time.”
I rolled my eyes. “Now I know I shouldn’t be having this conversation with you. I promise, I’ve got this.”
“You say that,” he said, then laughed.
I tossed the tie onto the back of the recliner and opened the top button on my shirt. “Better?”
“Much better.”
“Okay, so I’ve written down all the emergency numbers you might need. There’s money on the table for a pizza, but please chew slowly, because there’s no one here if you choke.”
Eddie gave me a withering look. “I’ve got this, Dad. You’re going to be right down the street. If I choke, I can run to you in time.”
“Eddie, I’m not playing.”
“Dad, I’ll be fine. Now go, have fun.”
“Maybe I should call the sitter.”
Eddie pointed to an imaginary watch on his wrist. “Tick tock. You don’t want to keep him waiting. And try not to search for reasons to dump this one. I’ve never seen you this nervous before a date. It’s cute.”
“I’ll be home in a few hours. Call me if you need anything.”
“I won’t be calling!” he yelled out, as I closed and locked the door behind me.
The little bistro down the street was one of my favorites, the décor a warm blend of neutral colors that put the food at the forefront. When I walked in, I felt instantly at home.
I was surprised to see that Arthur was already there, sitting near the entrance, waiting for me. “Hi,” I said, wincing at the slight shakiness in my voice. “It’s nice to see you again.”
“You too,” he said, then he leaned in close. “I think I’m a little underdressed for this place.”
I shrugged. “They don’t have a dress code, so you’re fine.”
“You look good.”
“I always dress like this,” I admitted. “I only have one or two pairs of jeans in my closet. I’m overdressed wherever I go, so you’re balancing me out. Besides, the place is nearly dark. It’s not like anyone can see us from their table.”
Arthur laughed. “Thank you for that.”
We found a seat, and immediately a waiter appeared with a plate of cheeses and a small selection of wines in tiny little bottles. I thanked the waiter, and he disappeared. “Have you been here before?” I asked.
“No, man. This place looks fancy.”
“Relax. There’s nothing to it." I picked up a piece of cheese. “Close your eyes.”
“What?”
“It’s why this place is so dark. It heightens your other senses when you can’t see well. Close your eyes and taste this one. It’s my favorite.”
He did as I asked, opening his mouth and sticking his tongue out just enough for me to set the delicate slice of cheese in his mouth. He closed his mouth and moaned, then carefully chewed and swallowed.
I watched him openly. His lips were soft, in the perfect bow shape, and totally kissable. I wanted to kiss him right then, but I stopped myself. It was only our second date.
He moaned again, then opened his eyes. “That was amazing.”
I poured him a small taste of the red wine. He tasted it, closing his eyes again and leaning back. “That is — wow. I can see why you like this place.”
“It’s a nice atmosphere, and the cheeses are world-class."
He reached out, and his hand hovered above the plate. When he finally picked a cheese, he fed it to me, giving me the same instructions I’d given him. I did what he asked, a thrill going through my body. I took a sip of my wine, looking across the table at him, our eyes locking.
He smiled shyly. “You’re right, the darkness feels so intimate.”
“Is it all right? Maybe I should’ve picked a more laid-back place.”
“No, it’s perfect.”
“I never noticed how green your eyes are before tonight,” I said. “You must get complimented a lot.”
“It is a really nice little bistro.”
I chuckled. “Nervous?”
“No, why?”
“I told you that your eyes are beautiful, and you repeated that the bistro was nice.”
“Oh,” he said, looking down at the table for an instant, then smiling at me apologetically. “I’m sorry. I have a lot going on at home, and I thought this would help. I’m really enjoying myself, but it’s all so heavy, you know?”
“Is everything all right?”
He sighed. “Yes and no. My son is having some growing pains, and it’s been hard on us both. He keeps acting out at school, and I’m not sure what else to try.”
“This age is really rough." I reached out and touched his cheek, then pulled my hand away. “Sorry, that was a little forward. I just meant, I understand what you’re going through.”
“No, it’s okay. It feels nice to talk to another man about this and have him understand." He smiled. “And your touch feels…”
He trailed off and looked a little dreamy-eyed. “I guess I’ll just come out and say it. It feels good. Being around you makes me feel good about myself.”
“That’s always a plus,” I said. I could’ve easily said the same thing, but his eyes showed the heavy burden he was carrying, and I wanted to make it right. “Can I offer you some advice?”
He shrugged. “I get a lot of advice as it is, but all right, shoot.”
“This is what I do. I mean, work with teens who are struggling. I’m not sure exactly what Leo is going through, but most of the time, when kids lash out, it’s because they want more attention.”
“I try to give him the love and attention I know he needs, but he pushes me away like he needs space.”
“That’s normal. Kids push back because they’re afraid to admit that they’re not invincible. You can’t just roll over and let everything he wants happen.
“So he’s acting out at school, then acting like he wants nothing to do with you. But what he’s saying isn’t what he means."
He leaned forward, and I braced myself. How many parents had told me to mind my own business? “I know this is hard to hear, and believe me, I’ve had enough parents get upset about this, but this is just normal. It doesn’t mean you’re failing as a parent; it just means you have to adjust the way you do things a little.
“Recognize the signs that he’s not being honest with you; arms crossed, looking anywhere but in your eyes. Or even eye contact that is too intense. And remember, the kids who need the most love ask for it in the most unloving ways.”
I waited for the defenses to fly up, but he only nodded, his crooked smile almost sad. “You’re right,” he said. “I’ve been missing some of the biggest clues. I went back to work last night, and I should’ve stayed. He was giving me tons of cues, but I was so frustrated with his behavior.”
“It happens to the best of us,” I offered. “And you’re already ahead of the game.”
“How so?”
“Most parents think that anything I say to them is an attack on their parenting. It couldn’t be further from the truth. We’re all in this together, and with a teenage son of my own, I know how hard it can be to deal with them.”
I picked up a piece of cheese and slipped it into his mouth, and when I set my hand down on the table, he took it. His eyes opened, and he looked deep into my soul as he swallowed the last bite. “Thank you for telling me what I needed to hear, and not what I wanted to hear.”
“We’ve all been there,” I said. “So now what? I guess we’ll have to cut this short, so you can meet your son’s needs.”
Arthur nodded. “Thank you for understanding. I had already decided to spend more time with him, but I was afraid leaving early tonight would be giving up my life outside being a father."
He squeezed my hand. “Jonas, I needed this talk with you." He motioned around us. “And I needed this, even for a short time.
“Being out with you has replenished my soul and made me ready to take up the battle again. I have more time to spend with him; I was just giving him his space because I thought that was what he needed.
“But you’re right, and I’m going to make sure he gets the attention he needs, even if he acts like I’m totally lame. And I’ve decided to hire someone to work part-time at the shop. Then I can be home when he gets off school and really focus on him.”
“That sounds like a wonderful plan.”
“Listen, I hate to do this, but I really do need to go. I need to see him before he goes to bed. Maybe a little unexpected pep talk will be exactly what he needs to help him get through tomorrow.”
“That’s a wonderful idea,” I said. “I’ll walk you to your car." I motioned to the waiter for the check and had him box up our food. “You can take the cheeses home. But savor them, and know that you’re doing an amazing job raising your son all by yourself. You and I both know how very hard that is.”
I paid the check and left the waiter a handsome tip for expediting the main course. It was only a simple, yet elegant sandwich on a flaky croissant, but I was hungry.
“You don’t have to do that. And thank you for paying. I’ll have the next one.”
I handed him the little bag that held the cheese and his sandwich. “I insist. I can’t fix what’s going on with your son, so at least let me make sure you’re taken care of.”
“Thanks,” he said, bumping into me playfully and slipping his hand into mine. “What about Saturday? Do you have any plans?”
“I don’t know; what are we doing?” I teased.
“It’s a surprise. Just find those jeans, and a shirt you don’t mind getting dirty in.”
“I’m intrigued."
We stopped next to his car, still holding hands. He put his bag in the passenger seat, then turned and looked at me, biting his lip nervously. “I had a good time tonight.”
“I did, too."
I leaned in, and his lips parted. I took his other hand in mine just as our lips met.
He threaded his fingers through mine, deepening our kiss and pressing his body against mine. His loose clothing did nothing to hide the chiseled chest beneath the thin fabric. When I pulled back, I knew I had a goofy smile on my face, but I didn’t care.
“Wow,” he said in a whisper.
He looked up at me, and I longed to kiss him again, but I knew it would be too much. “I’ll see you on Saturday?”
He nodded, then I opened his driver’s side door and he got in. I watched him drive away before I went to my car and went home, head in the clouds and joy in my heart. This guy was special; I just knew it.