Page 17 of Last Call (Open Tab #5)

“Why not?”

“Because she was my best friend,” Fallon replied. “And I accepted that she loved your dad.”

Dave nodded. “Life is so fucked up sometimes.”

Fallon laughed. “Fucked up” seemed to be Dave’s mantra for the day.

“Listen, your mom and Billie just want to help,” she said.

“They don’t want to raise your kid, and I know your mother.

She’s not the interfering type. She’s a lot like my mom in that way.

I know I joke about my mom. She has opinions about everything,” Fallon said, chuckling.

“But she doesn’t interfere. She let me make my mistakes.

She warned me when she saw danger lights flashing, but she didn’t put anything in my way.

She’s honest. And I know she would do anything for me.

Andi is a lot like her. You need to talk to your mom.

“She’ll be pissed.”

“No. She’ll be…”

“Worried?”

“Concerned,” Fallon corrected him.

“Same difference.”

“Not really.”

“Come on, Fallon. Mom and Billie are great. They totally think I fucked up.”

“No. They don’t. They both know that life happens.”

“The thing is, I don’t feel that way about the way things have happened,” Dave said. “Maybe it’d be better if we were out of college—if we had careers and a house. Maybe it would. Maybe I shouldn’t be…”

“Shouldn’t be what?”

“Happy about it,” Dave said. “At first, I was freaked out.”

“I get that.”

“And I’m still kind of freaked out about being someone’s dad.”

Fallon laughed. “I think that goes with the territory.”

“But I’m also happy. I know everyone is worried that we’re too young and we won’t make it. I don’t think that will happen. I want to make it work. I guess part of making it work for me is being able to take care of my family. Do you know what I mean?”

“Yeah. I do. Look, I can’t tell you what to do, and as much as I’d like to think I know what your mother will say, I can’t promise you I’m right. I still think you need to talk to her—and to Billie.”

“Yeah.”

Fallon thought it was time for a change of topic. “Do you want to stop at the Harpoon Brewery for lunch?”

Dave laughed. Fallon wasn’t much of a drinker.

He always thought that was odd for someone who owned a bar.

She had a weakness for UFO White Ale. It was appropriate for someone who also had an addiction to alien abduction movies.

He remembered when Fallon installed the tap at Murphy’s Law for her favorite beer:

Andi giggled at the white handled tap with the UFO.

“What’s so funny?” Fallon asked.

“You.”

“Come again.”

“You realize that UFO won’t carry you to a distant galaxy?” Andi asked.

“No, but I’ll bet it will help with a few Close Encounters,” Fallon quipped.

Dave laughed at the memory.

“I’m almost positive I don’t want to know what’s so funny.”

“Just remembering something,” Dave said. “I’ll be prepared to drive home from the brewery.”

“Why would you do that?”

“Just in case you have a few too many close encounters.”

“I think those days are gone,” Fallon said. “But I’ll let you drive home.”

“Really?”

“Sure. I never turn down a nap.”

“That happens when you get old,” Dave said.

Fallon laughed. You have no idea.

Nothing Dave had confided in Fallon surprised Riley. She doubted it would surprise Andi, either.

“Sounds like you and Dave had a good talk,” Riley said.

“We did.”

“I see it in your eyes,” Riley observed. “Whatever idea that’s brewing in your head has you excited.”

“I guess it does. It doesn’t matter to me more than our plans.”

“Fallon, I know what matters most to you. The same things matter most to me. You’re restless.”

Fallon opened her mouth to protest.

“Don’t say a word,” Riley warned. “You are restless. I know what’s holding you back.”

“You do?”

“I think so. You worry about dividing your time between work and our family.”

“Don’t you?”

“Yes. That’s why I want to step back when we have another child.”

“Riley…”

“But you worry that I’ll want to put off adding to our family if you’re involved in a new project.”

“Maybe.”

“No. You do ,” Riley said. “That isn’t going to happen.”

Fallon nodded.

“I know that you will always put our family first. I also know that you need something for yourself—we all do.”

“What about you?” Fallon asked.

“I need some time to enjoy our family without juggling deadlines. That’s what I need for myself.

I hope it gives me time to read for pleasure rather than with a critical eye and looming deadlines.

I hope it helps me find the headspace to write again.

The time will come when I need to return to work. Believe me. I’ll make a deal with you.”

“A deal?”

“You look into this idea you have earnestly, and I’ll think about resigning when my projects are finished.”

“I’m not trying to pressure you,” Fallon said. “About anything.”

“I know.”

“Would you like to see the property in Jeffersonville?” Fallon asked.

“I’d love that.”

“I am sorry about before.”

“Let’s focus on what’s ahead, okay?” Riley suggested. She was about to continue when her phone rang. “Hi, Beth. What? When?” Riley asked, looking at Fallon. “No, no. Of course you can. Just bring them over. Beth, it’s okay. We’re here. Okay. I know. Me too. See you in a few minutes.”

“Riley?”

Riley sighed. “It’s Marge.”

“Is she in labor?”

Riley nodded. “But, Fallon, there are complications. She’s headed into surgery now.”

“Complications?”

“I don’t know all the details,” Riley said. “Dale called Pete. Beth is bringing the kids here so she can go with Pete to the hospital.”

Fallon’s stomach lurched violently. “Riley, if anything goes wrong…”

“I know. All we can do right now is pray for the best and be there for them all. I’m going to call Andi.”

Fallon nodded. Please let everything turn out okay.