Page 55 of Love By The Falls

I look up at her and purse my lips. “Mom, I’m pretty sure he’s asking out of concern, just like you did.”

“I know. I’m just worried about you, baby. Especially now that… now that… you know.”

“That deadbeat is back in town,” says my father, crossing his arms. “Why’s he staying so long this time, anyway?”

I peep down the hallway, but Charlie’s distracted by my father’s baseball paraphernalia. He could spend hours reading all the cards and clippings my father has accumulated over the years.

“Apparently, he wants to get to know Charlie.”

“What?!” my mother and father shout at the same time.

“Shh,” I say, tilting my head to make sure he’s still distracted. “I haven’t told Charlie who he is yet.”

“Well,” my father grumbles. “It’s not like he’s made it difficult for you. He’s been back, what, three times now, and this is the first time he’s tried to spend time with his boy? If you ask me, he’s got no right to talk to Charlie.”

“I agree, Dad. But I have no right to stop him. At least not without cause.”

“So, what’s his plan? Is he going to fight you for custody?” My mother twists the tea towel in front of her and I gently place my hand on top to stop her. “I don’tthink so. But he’s taking us out to dinner tonight to get better acquainted.”

My mother’s eyes widen. “Really? You’re okay with this?”

“I’m not okay with it, Mom. I wish I didn’t have to make a choice, but I do. And for now, I won’t push Jason away if he wants to get to know Charlie, but I’m putting clear boundaries up. I told him he can’t tell him anything until we’re both ready to sit and have that discussion.”

“That’s good,” says my mother. “I like that.”

Dad nods. “Me, too. That was good thinking, honey.”

“Thanks. Now, you asked me to look at something?”

“Oh. Yes, yes. I almost forgot.” He stands and grabs an envelope from a pile on the counter. “I got this in the mail last week and don’t know what to do with it.”

I read through the letter and sigh. “Dad, you didn’t pay the phone bill again and they’re serving you a notice that they’ll cut you off by the end of the month.”

“But I never received the phone bill.”

“I told you months ago that they would email it to the account I set up on your new phone. Have you checked your email?”

“Is it on that phone you bought for your father, dear?”

“Yes. Where is your phone, Dad?”

“It’s in the safe. Those phones are ridiculously expensive. I prefer my flip phone.”

“Yes, Dad. But you don’t have a laptop, so you’ve got to use it to retrieve your email. You can also do your banking on it, pay bills, talk to your brother in Michigan.”

My dad frowns. “I talk to Jerry all the time using the land line. I don’t need a smartphone to do that.”

“But you can video chat with him and see what he looks like.”

“Why would I want to do that?”

“Forget it. I’ll call the phone company and set up automatic billing for you from your bank account.”

“I don’t want you giving the phone company access to my bank account.”

“If you’re not willing to do online banking, then that’s the only other way.”

“I don’t understand. First, we had to stop sending them checks. Now they won’t mail me a bill. I have to assume what they’re billing me is correct?”

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