Page 17 of It Never Happened
I fell even more in love with her then and knew there'd never be another match for me like her.
“So tell me your deal, man.”
His voice pulls me back to the present. “Work is just a lot, and I’m responsible for a lot of people’s financial lives.”
“That’s fine. I get it. Everybody has jobs, but you’ve got to find balance and you need to figure that out. Listen, man. I’m not one to criticize but when it comes to kids, they don’t know what they need. That’s why they have parents to teach them. Your son needs his father, and Courtney deserves to have someone here to help her. But don’t half-ass it.”
All I can do is nod. I know I've been a shit man. I put monetary value above everything else. Yes, we need to eat and live, but what’s more important?
Time.
I continue to drink and think about all the years and time that I’ve missed. In the end, all that runs through my mind is getting Courtney and Joey back. I need to fix my family.
“Close my tab, brother, I need to get going.”
He looks skeptical. “Don’t go knocking on her door tonight, Jack,” he laughs.
I shake my head, my eyes trying to focus. “Nah, I gotta let her know.”
“I already called Larry; give him ten minutes. He’ll get you back to Evergreen Inn.”
It doesn’t even cross my mind to wonder how he knows where I’m staying. I just chalk it up to everyone knowing everything in this town. “He’s going to take me to her.”
He sputters a laugh. “You’re so gone for her. I’m glad to see it.”
Ten minutes later, Larry comes to the door of the bar. “Fristoni!” he yells, and Cole knocks twice on the bar in front of me.
“Drink up, Jack Frost. Your ride is here,” he replies with a smug grin, and I laugh at the twist on my last name. If he only knew my heart wasn’t so frozen over anymore. Just like the dad from that old movie, I finally realize nothing matters more than time with my family.
I get into his cab and give Courtney’s address. He shakes his head but doesn't say a word.
“Larry, you're a good man.”
“Am I?”
“You are. You're the only one in this town who hasn’t judged me. Out loud anyway.”
His eyes meet mine in the rearview mirror and they twinkle with laughter.
“Larry! Tell me I'm not an asshole!”
“You're not an asshole, Jack.”
“Thank you.” I'm silent for a minute. “Do you mean that?”
He’s silent, and I watch as he drives the quiet streets of Bluemoon. “I do mean it. I don’t think you're an asshole. I think you got caught up in life. But you know what? You have a second chance waiting for you right here. You know what to do.”
When he pulls up in front of her house, I ask, “Does it include stumbling to her front door?”
He laughs. “Probably not, but I'm going to sit here until I know which direction you're going in.”
I get out, making my way haphazardly to her front door and knocking on it loudly. A moment later she throws open the door with a scowl on her face, wrapping her robe tightly around her.
“What are you doing here?” she hisses at me before looking back into the house. “It's almost midnight.”
“I know. I’m sorry, I just needed to talk to you.”
“You’re drunk. I can smell it on you. We can talk tomorrow.”
