Chapter Seven
GAVIN
I asked Mike to stay at my place with Vinny until I got home from my date. Vinny usually liked to stay home on Friday nights and stay up all night reading or playing video games. As soon as I got home, I saw Mike in the front room with his foot on the table the same way he relaxed when he was at home. “Mike, get your dirty ass foot off my shit.”
He laughed. “Oh, for Christ’s sake, man. You sound like my fucking ex-wife. See, that is why I prefer to stay single. I don’t need that shit in my life anymore.” I smacked his foot off the table and then took a seat next to him. “So, how was the date?”
I smiled when I thought about Bethany. She was nothing like what I expected, but then again, I went into this date blindly. I mean, I knew how she looked, and based on the phone conversation, she didn’t seem like she was anything out of the ordinary. But, what I got in place was someone who was not only beautiful, but charming and witty. She was a bit aloof at times, but that was okay. I didn’t mind the touch of silliness that came along with her. “It was good. I am happy I went.”
He tapped his finger on the arm rest. “And?”
“And what?”
“Geez, man, do I have to spell it out for you? Would you bang her or not? That’s what I want to know. I mean, don’t try to play this old ‘nice guy’ role with me. You may have to play it with her or somebody else, but I know you are not in this to settle down. No way.”
“Well, you might be wrong on this one, Mike. I told you that I am looking for something more stable these days. You’ve had the chance to experience married life, and that’s how you knew it wasn’t for you. I need that moment of clarity for myself.”
He sighed. “Alright man, but hey, when you get into that shit storm, don’t say I didn’t warn you. But tell me about the girl. Was she as cute as the pics?”
“Yeah, she was cute. Cuter than the pics I saw. I was very pleased with who she was. We were laughing the whole night, much like we did when we spoke on the phone the first time.” He folded his arms across his chest. “It was cool. Conversation flowed smoothly. It never seemed awkward or anything. It was nice. I asked her out again next week.”
“No shit?”
“Yeah, no shit. I want to keep this going and see what it turns into.”
“Yeah, I hear you.” He finished the rest of his beer, then stood up. “But, before you go making dates again, I think you need to check on Vinny. I was talking to him earlier, and I could tell that he wants to spend a little more time with you.” He crunched the beer can in his hand. “I told him that you are a busy man, and the kid is smart, you know, so he kind of picked up what I was saying. But, between me and you, I think you need to focus on him a little more.”
I sighed as he walked to the kitchen to toss the empty beer can away. Mike was right. Here I was planning another date with Bethany when I had just canceled quality time with my son this weekend. I should’ve been planning time to hang out with him instead of Bethany. When Mike came back, he grabbed his keys from the table. “Thanks for reminding me, Mike,” I said as I stood up.
“Reminding you of what?”
“About needing to spend time with Vinny. I should plan that before I take Bethany out again.”
“Well, I think that would be a good idea. I mean, if this chick is as good as you say, she’ll understand that your son should come before her right now.”
“Yeah. Yeah, I’m sure she’ll understand that.”
“Alright. Well, I don’t know about you, but I got some vagina on its way to my house. So, while you work on being in a committed relationship, I’ll continue having sex with every woman I want.” He laughed on his way out, “Man, I don’t know why anybody would willingly allow themselves to be locked down for the rest of their lives when there is SO MUCH MORE PUSSY OUT HERE TO GET!” He yelled at the top of his lungs.
“Mike, man, keep that shit down! You’ll have these folks calling the police around here!”
“Ooops. My bad, my bad. You enjoy the rest of your night, man.”
I closed the door as he got into his car and drove away. After he left, I locked the door and walked down the hallway to Vinny’s room. He sat on his bed playing video games while I leaned against the door frame. “How was your date?”
I folded my arms, “It was good. She seemed nice.”
“That’s good.” He pressed a few more buttons on his controller. “So, I heard you are going to see her again next weekend.”
“What? And how did you hear that?”
“Dad, you and Uncle Mike talk louder than you think. My door was cracked for a little while after you came home.”
“I see. Well, yeah, I was going to do that, but then I thought about you, and I figured I’d rethink the plans with her and spend time together to make up for breaking our quality time together tomorrow. What do you say?”
He ignored me for a few seconds as I waited by the door. I expected that. I was sure he believed that I was just talking out of my ass again. “I’m serious this time, Vinny. I won’t break this date with you for anything. I don’t care if the damned president of the United States says he wants to do business with my company. I am going to tell him that he has to wait until Monday.”
Vinny finally looked in my direction. A smirk escaped the corner of his mouth. “Okay, Dad. BUT… if the president calls you, I think you better take that meeting.”
I laughed. “Yeah, maybe you’re right. But anyway, I’m gonna head up to my room. If you need me, that’s where I’ll be. Don’t stay up too late, alright?”
“Okay, Dad.”
“Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
I left his door cracked and headed to my room to wait for Bethany’s call. I figured that she would wait until she got ready for bed until she called me. I regretted that I didn’t kiss her on the lips when I had the chance. In the back of my mind, I knew that there would be another opportunity for that to happen, so I didn’t rush it. A few minutes later, my phone rang. “Hello? Hey, Bethany, I was just waiting for your call.”