Everest burst out laughing.

“You’re crazy, Mom!” Ethan cried, doing it through a little man laugh that was part boy giggle, part man chuckle, eyes never leaving the TV, controller in hand shifting.

I had a feeling their reactions meant the carrots were going to be ignored.

I’d made that bed, so I also had a feeling I had no choice but to lie in it.

I hit my bedroom, climbed on my actual bed, and sat leaning against my collection of pillows that did, actually, look like something Janis Joplin would recline on for a Rolling Stone photo shoot.

I crossed my legs under me, made quick work of my Snickers, then lifted up my phone.

I went where I needed to go.

First attempt with the carrots was a fail, I texted Merry.

I deleted it.

Then I shared, Two more day shifts then I’m back on nights. In a perfect world, I could give Mom a break and ask you to come over and hang with my kid while I work.

I deleted that too.

Ethan would dig that. But I’d dig it more knowing that you were with my boy and he liked it.

Obviously, I got rid of that too.

Mostly, though, I’d like knowing you’d be there when I got home.

Quickly, before my thumb could hit anything on the screen that would be catastrophic, I deleted that too.

I jumped when my phone sounded in my hand, a text popping up.

Not from Merry.

From Trent.

Did you get my text yesterday? We need to talk. Call me.

Not a word from Merry, but my ex-loser texted me twice.

That was my life.

Of course, it was up to me to sort out the shit pile I’d created that stood between Merry and me.

But that wouldn’t happen.

Eventually, he’d come into J&J’s and give me indication he didn’t totally hate me, though he’d probably be distant.

Over time, that would melt and he’d be cool with me again.

Finally, we’d get to joking and laughing.

Then, after a while, I’d watch him eye up some babe who did it for him. He wouldn’t make the approach in front of me, not at first. He’d wait to get back to that after he knew we were back where we needed to be.

But he’d find his way to make an approach.

And then it would be done.

And we’d be where we were supposed to be.

Meaning, I’d be right back where I belonged.

Alone and skirting the edges, on the outside looking in to all the amazing that was Merry.

* * * * *

Garrett

Saturday Night

Garrett rode his bike under the covered parking spot he paid extra for every month so his Harley would be sheltered from the elements.

It was late.

He’d been riding all day partly because the weather would soon turn and he wouldn’t be able to take out his Fat Boy again until March or April.