Page 57 of As the Years Pass

“I’m fine. So, I was thinking about what you said.”

“About…”

“Getting the kids more often.”

“Oh?”

“How about you start getting them on Thursdays now?”

I’m so shocked I can’t talk for a moment.

I finally snap out of it and say, “And keep them until Monday morning.”

“Yes. This way, if we notice it throws Judy off her schedule, it’ll be the weekend and we won’t have to worry about it too much.”

I have no idea why me picking her up and dropping her off at school would throw her off schedule, since it’s not changing anything but where she sleeps, but whatever.

“That would be great, Leslie. Thank you,” I say, meaning it with everything in me. I didn’t think this would be so easy. I thought I’d have to fight her more.

“Great. I’ll see you soon then.”

The call ends, and I stare at my phone, unable to believe what just happened. I’m so happy that I type out a text to Emmet because I need to share this good news.

Leslie agreed to let me have the kids more!!!!

His response comes in almost immediately.

Emmet

That’s awesome! I’m so happy for you, Adam.

I was worried she’d make a big thing out of it, but she didn’t.

Emmet

That’s great.

You should come over.

I’m not sure I should have invited him over again. He must be sick of me by now. We spent all of Monday together, and we’ve seen each other each day this week because I’ve gone by the bar. With me not working, it’s probably not a good idea to spend somuch money on drinking, but now that I know my schedule with the kids, I can focus on getting a job. And I’ll be selling my house.

Emmet

I’m actually stuck at the bar. Pete needed the night off.

You could come by after.

Why did I say that? What am I even trying to say? It’ll be late. I’m an idiot. I shove my phone into my pocket and grab my keys. I put the radio on loud to drown out the thoughts of how much of a fool I am for inviting him over here at three am—again.

My phone is staring at me from the passenger seat when I pull into Leslie’s driveway, and I check it before getting out to get the kids.

Emmet

You’ll be sleeping.

I blow out a sigh of relief, but then a wave of disappointment hits me. I was hoping he’d say yes. Even if I am sleeping, I’ll wake up, but I realize how that sounds. It sounds like I want more, but we’re just friends. That isn’t what normal friends do, even if it’s something Emmet and I did many times when we were younger.

Look where that led us. Look what happened there.