Today People

by Barbara G. Tarn

  "I told you, she threw herself at me! It's like free sex! Why should one say no to free sex with a pretty woman?"

  "Because she's married to your best friend!" Rick screamed. He hung up and threw the phone on the couch. That was really too much. He wasn't going to call Robbie ever again.

  Enough is enough. If Penny is still with him, he can keep her!

  He hid his face in his hands. Now he wanted to cry again. There was no end to the betrayal of his most loved ones.

  "Dad?" The childish voice was so low he almost didn't hear it.

  Startled, he looked towards the living room door. Mandy stood there, holding her favorite doll tight.

  "I heard you screaming..." she whispered, eyes wide.

  He gulped and opened his arms. "I'm sorry, honey," he said as she rushed to nestle against him. "I didn't mean to wake you up."

  "I couldn't sleep," she said, holding him tight. "Who was on the phone?"

  "Robbie." He clenched his teeth. "I have had enough of him."

  "Don't you think he could help Fred with his career?"

  "No, I don't think he will. Come on, let's get you back in bed. Should I sing you a lullaby?"

  "That would be awesome, Dad!" Still, her smile looked frail.

  He took her upstairs and lay her down in bed. "What would you like me to sing?" he asked.

  Luckily she fell asleep long before he finished the requested song. Rick leaned to kiss her forehead and rose. He stopped at the doorway to look at her. How could Penny give up this? To be with selfish Robbie?

  He went back downstairs to switch off all the lights, then headed for bed, feeling very sad.

  7.

  Mid-morning Rick got a call from Fred saying he had landed one of the main roles in the musical. He immediately called Charlene to tell her the news and then his mother and Millie.

  "I will have to come to see the show," Millie said. "Hopefully by then Penny will have called!"

  Twenty-one days without calling anyone. Rick was really pissed off with her by now. What was she thinking? That she'd come back and be welcomed as if she'd never left?

  Maybe she'd never come back. But just in case, Rick decided to change the door locks. It wasn't her home anymore. He'd call someone sometime during the week to do the job. Charlene would have the new key, and so would his mother. But before making any changes, he better check with the lawyer. Although with what Robbie had told him, he'd probably have a speedy divorce.

  "So you've gone out with Kevin?" Bea asked as they ate lunch. "What did you guys do? Guy stuff?"

  "Of course, we went to a strip club," Kevin said.

  Rick guffawed. Not really. They'd gone to the shore of Lake Michigan at night with a bottle of beer and had screamed in the wind until they felt better – or at least he'd felt better. He'd poured out some frustration on the waves.

  And then they'd gone to a club.

  "We went dancing," he told Bea and Julie. "A nice place with live music."

  "Really? You like dancing?" Julie brightened. "Most guys don't!"

  "We don't mind," Kevin replied.

  "I think he likes it as much as I do. And he can shake his ass pretty well," Rick said.

  "Rick, don't turn gay on me!" Julie complained.

  "Why? Because I like dancing? I was in a boyband! I have a wife! I have kids! Do I look gay to you?"

  "No." Julie giggled and Rick noticed that Bea rolled her eyes. "Thank God you're not. When can we go out? On a date?"

  "Not now, Julie," he said patiently. "I still have three kids at home."

  Bea scoffed as if disapproving of Julie.

  "I'm afraid you'll have to fend off Julie and the other ladies from now on," Kevin told him in the men's room. "You've gone out with me, you're no longer a recluse..."

  "I still am," he replied. "I'm not going on any dates yet. Thanks for the night out, by the way. It was fun. I really needed it."

  He was still upset, still had a few nightmares, but it wasn't as bad as it had been. Maybe he was getting over the breakup. He was determined to move on, to ignore the pain at the bottom of his heart.

  He told Kevin that Fred was in the school's musical and that he was both excited and terrified for his son. He remembered when he'd started, how he'd always wanted to sing and dance.

  "Yes, there is life after love," Kevin said. "And eventually you'll fall in love again."

  "Not anytime soon!" he said, heading back for his cubicle. At the moment he wanted to concentrate on rebuilding a life for his family. Charlene seemed to be a good surrogate mother for now until he recovered and trusted another woman with his heart.

  ***

  "Did you know Rick's wife had dumped him?" Julie asked as they left work and headed for the Loop station on the opposite platform from Rick.

  "Yeah, Kevin had mentioned it," Bea answered absentmindedly.

  "Why didn't you tell me?" Julie protested.

  "Because he's still married." She glared at Julie who sometimes was really dumb. Or better yet, sex-obsessed. And now that Julie knew Rick was single again, she wouldn't rest until he dated her.

  "Whatever!" Julie rolled her eyes. "That Penny is really stupid to let go of such a catch!"

  "That Penny is still the mother of his children," Bea reminded her. "And he's still a married man until his divorce comes through."

  Julie snorted and started planning her assault on Fort Rick. Bea listened morosely as they squeezed into the train. She was very happy to get off and be rid of Julie. No more listening to her plans to conquer Rick.

  As she walked home, she thought of Rick. He was more subdued and quiet than before. He didn't talk about his family at all anymore, unless direct questions were aimed at him. He must hurt very much, but he had put on a brave face, probably for the sake of his children.

  Bea would have loved to know more about how he was doing. He was probably better off on his own – as soon as he forgot his lost love. But she wasn't going to ask him any personal questions. Or telling him being part of the Singles' Club wasn't as bad as Julie made it sound. Kevin was single too, and so was she. Maybe Rick would be like them, more than like Julie.

  Entering her apartment, she wondered if Rick liked to sleep alone. Well, he'd been sleeping alone for days now... but that didn't mean he was used to it. Maybe he still craved someone lying by his side.

  There is no way I can teach him to enjoy singletude. I'm an introvert, I love it. He's different, he probably hates it. He's been married or in a relationship for most of his adult life... he'll never understand my point of view.

  The point of view of someone who never had a true relationship and had stopped missing it. Yes, there had been a time when, like Julie, she'd looked for the perfect match. But for the past ten years or so she'd had enough of dates and things like that. She had concentrated on other things and wasn't missing the company.

  She liked living on her own. She liked sleeping alone. She obviously wasn't made to live with somebody else... Although Rick looked very cuddly and... Well, maybe she wasn't aromantic after all.

  But asexual yes, and probably Rick wasn't ready for an asexual relationship. Or maybe it was exactly what he needed?

  What was she thinking. The vast majority of people didn't know about asexuality and if they did, they still thought it was impossible that someone couldn't care less about sex.

  Besides, Rick had three children. That made for a very big package indeed. Not just a man, but a full family. She'd better forget him, now more than ever!

  8.

  Rick came home and found the children quite excited, while Charlene was a little pissed off.

  "I think their mother called," she said. "Mandy picked up. I'll let you guys discuss the situation and see you tomorrow."

  She grabbed her purse and left while he was still in the entrance, stunned by the news. One full month of silence and now this? Penny had really lost it!

  And then the children rushed to meet him, speaking all at once. Indeed, Penny had called w
hen he wasn't home, to speak to them, but not to him.

  Frowning, Rick calmed them down and sat with them in the living room. Harry snuggled up against him, while Fred sat in his armchair and Mandy on his other side on the couch.

  "Now, one at the time. Mandy, you got the call."

  "Yes! Mom is back in town and she's missed us!"

  "Us... meaning you or all of us?"

  "I don't know, Dad... I assume all of us?"

  "I told her I had the part in the school musical and she was very happy," Fred added. "She asked the date of the show so she can come."

  "And... has she mentioned coming home?" Rick looked from Mandy to Fred and back.

  Mandy shook her head, her smile vanishing.

  "No," Fred said a little bluntly.

  "And has she mentioned where she's staying?" Rick insisted.

  "I didn't ask," Mandy said, shoulders down.

  "I forgot to ask," Fred asked.

  "I will try to call her back, then," Rick said. "We eat at Grandma's tonight. Homework is done?"

  "Almost." Fred and Mandy sighed and went upstairs.

  "Finished!" Harry beamed and stayed on the couch.

  Rick went to get his phone. Penny's number was busy. He checked on the house phone, and found the call from her iPhone. He tried again, but couldn't get through. He sent a message. Nice of you calling when you know I'm not in. My lawyer has been trying to get in touch with you for a month. Take his calls before getting in touch with the children again.

  Then he went to his room to take off his tie and call the lawyer to tell him apparently his wife was back in town and had called home to speak with the children. When he finished with the lawyer, he noticed Harry was leaning on the door frame of his room.

  "Are you really that mad at Mom?" he asked with a tiny voice.

  "She's hurt us all by vanishing for a month without a trace," he answered. "I don't know about you, but I'm very mad at her."

  "Maybe she called because she couldn't get in with her key," Harry said.

  Rick crouched in front of him to be more of his height. "Do you really want her back?"

  Harry shrugged. Of course, she was his mother. Of course he wanted her back. So did Mandy and Fred. But Rick didn't want her back. And he doubted she wanted to come back anyway.

  He hugged Harry with a sigh. "Did you talk to her?"

  "No... maybe she didn't want to talk to me?" Again the tiny voice.

  "Maybe your siblings didn't let you near the phone?" Rick replied with a smile, ruffling Harry's dark hair.

  The child giggled. "That too. They're mean!"

  "Next time demand to speak with her," Rick said solemnly. "And tell her to speak to me too, if she wants to come back to this house."

  "Yes, Dad."

  Rick rose and took his hand. "Let's see how much work your siblings still have and then we can head for Grandma's... since you didn't manage to talk to Mom, do you want to call Grandma and ask her for a special treat?"

  As soon as he closed the door after dining at his mother's, Rick's phone rang. The children went upstairs to prepare for bed as he stayed in the entrance. Penny was finally calling back.

  "Hello," he said, leaning against the front door and keeping his voice low.

  "What do you think you're doing by changing the locks?" Penny was angry and she didn't even bother to greet him. "And having your lawyer calling me? I'm also getting a lawyer, you can't keep me away from my kids!"

  "You abandoned them a month ago," he reminded her. "You told me to take care of them, that I was boring and that you were young and wanted to live. I thought you had decided parenting was not for you."

  "Wrong! I needed some time off! And I'm not giving up on my children! I carried them in my womb for nine months!"

  "You should have remembered that when you left," he said bitterly. "Actually, vanished, not calling anyone, not even your mother or your brother."

  "Calling my mother meant hearing her scold me and my brother is your biggest fan, why would I tell them I had enough of you?"

  Rick could almost see her frown, but for the first time since he'd met her and fallen in love, it wasn't an endearing frown. He wanted to slap her and he probably would have if she were in front of him and not on the phone.

  "So you have enough of me, but you still want the house and the kids?" he asked, sarcastic. "Talk to my lawyer, Penny, you're not going to get away with it now! Not without a very good reason to leave your children for a month and then come back as if nothing had happened besides you not wanting me anymore. Did you tell them that?"

  "No, we didn't talk about you," she answered bluntly. "I missed them. I've been busy, but I missed them."

  "Is it because Robbie couldn't care less about your baggage? How long did your tryst with him last?"

  "Rick! Why do you keep bringing our friends into the discussion? First it was Roxy, now it's Robbie – this is between you and me, you hear me? Leave our friends out of this!"

  "You may still be friends with someone who tried to steal your husband, but I'm not as lenient! And I don't care what you've done and with whom. I told you, if you leave, you're out of our lives, and that was final."

  "You'll hear from my lawyer," she said in a threatening tone and hung up.

  Rick glared at the iPhone. Now he really hated her.

  "Dad! We're ready!" Mandy called from upstairs.

  Rick pasted a smile on his face. He wouldn't tell his kids that their mother was a bitch. When Fred asked who called, he said it was someone from the office.

  9.

  Bea wasn't really talking to Julie much anymore. Watching Julie throwing herself at Rick, who seemed to have enough problems on his own, was painful. His wife had resurfaced and he had started a legal battle for the custody of the children and the attribution of the house.

  Bea wasn't going to ask Rick direct private questions, so she turned to Kevin instead. He had met Rick's kids twice. They'd gone out together a couple of times, which had made Julie hope she could get a date with her hunky coworker too. Except Rick wasn't really in the mood for dates.

  "Has he found out where his wife was?" Bea asked, glancing worriedly at Rick's serious expression as he listened to Mrs. Gold.

  They were on the other side of the open space, out of earshot, so it was like watching a silent movie. Bea knew Rick's career was on hold until he solved his family problems.

  "With his best friend," Kevin answered, staring at Rick too. "The one who is still in the music business."

  "Oh, boy! That's tough. No wonder he lost his smile again."

  "Back-stabbing of the worst kind," Kevin confirmed with a sigh. "That's probably why he goes out with me now. His friends have betrayed him."

  "What's wrong with going out with you?" She looked at him. "It's not like you're his father or anything!"

  "He's younger, from another generation..."

  "Nah. What's nine years when we reach our age?"

  "And he's been married for most of his adult life..."

  "But you both love music."

  "Well, he was in a boyband, I'm a real musician."

  "Oh, of course, what was I thinking. Garage rock and boybands shouldn't get along."

  Kevin chuckled. "They didn't make it big, and neither did we, so we're even..."

  "Did you take him to some jam session with your band?"

  "No, I haven't asked the guys if they'd like to try a new singer. You're right, though, I should suggest it. I've seen a video of his shows, and he has a good onstage presence. Pity he gave it up."

  "To start a family." Bea sighed. "Why do we give up our creative dreams to end up... here?" She gestured discretely to the open space.

  "We haven't completely given up," Kevin replied. "Even him... I think he's reconsidering. That's probably why he goes out with me. Which is perfect, because he attracts all the girls, turns them down, and I score!" Kevin grinned.

  Bea guffawed. "You're not such a bastard, Kev!"

  "What's wrong wi
th that? He doesn't want them, so they can cry on my shoulder!"

  "And then give you babies? Come on, Kevin!"

  Both burst out laughing and decided to split and go back to work before someone noticed them standing in a corner, watching the others.

  Bea was curious to meet Rick's family, but she understood he wasn't really in the mood for dating. And of course she couldn't give up her obsession now that the drama was unfolding under her eyes. Maybe when everything was settled, she could talk to Rick. Not because she wanted to date him, but because she wanted to hear his side of the story without Kevin or Julie's filter.

  In the women's room, she met Julie who was touching her makeup.

  "I'm sure that, after talking to Mrs. Gold, Rick will be very happy to see me and will take me out to dinner," she said, glancing at Bea through the mirror.

  "Why don't you leave him alone?" Bea snorted and locked herself in a stall.

  Julie kept talking. "I visited him yesterday. His kids are cute, but I think they hinder him. If he left them to that bitch who so badly wants them back, he'd be so much better off on his own! He could start a new life!"

  "With you?" Bea asked, sarcastic.

  "Of course. I'd be delighted to warm his bed for the rest of his life!"

  "And what makes you think he wants you there?"

  "Bea, you're impossible!" Julie snorted, and Bea heard the sound of her high heels as she quickly left the restrooms.

  She chuckled. Poor Rick. Although he could probably defend himself. Bea didn't see him with Julie. She'd seen the pictures on his desk so many times, she could see him with his wife and kids, but not with Julie.

  Besides, she knew he was a doting father and wasn't going to give up on his children. They were part of the package, if one really wanted him. Obviously Julie didn't really want him. She wanted his body.

  He's more than just a handsome man. I hope he recovers from the breakup. I'm sure he'll enjoy being single, even though being a single parent is not easy. But maybe he can compromise with Penny...