Can We Talk?

This is a novella with dual points of view. Each chapter will be from one character's view.

So far, Jameson Petry, a thirty something man, meets Iris, a seventy something woman. She makes him feel calm even though his world is falling apart. This is their story of friendship.

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JAMESON

Finny is excitedly telling me about something he saw on television. I don't call Claire's sister when Claire isn't there. Amanda is her sister. Finny stays with her now whenever Claire is out of town. I've told Claire I'll take him while she's gone, but she always comes up with an excuse.

I miss my son. Finny has a way of making the world right. I love the devilish smile he gets when he's being naughty. I miss the gentle caress of his fat little fingers as he runs them over the stubble on my cheeks. I miss being a father. I know I'm still his father, but not like before.

He was a tiny, miraculous work of art when he was born. I'd never seen such a beautiful baby. Minutes after he was born, I held him against my chest and promised him I'd protect him until the day I died.

"Bye-bye, Daddy," he says, his mouth too close to the phone.

"I love you, buddy. I'll see you this weekend."

The screen goes dark as he presses his puckered lips to the surface. "Bye-bye."

Amanda takes the phone, says a quick goodbye, and just like that, I'm once again sitting in the late afternoon darkness alone.

When Claire and I separated, I felt sick. The raw pain that makes you taste bile pushing up the back of your throat. Physical sickness has a beginning and an end. This is different.

I can't tell you the moment our marriage went to hell. One day we were at the park, holding hands and swinging Finny between us.
The next day she's packing up her stuff, telling me I walk around with my head in the clouds, I'm too basic. I'm satisfied with Mac and cheese for dinner, when she thinks we should have steak. She said I wasn't growing with her. I thought helping raise our child together was growing.

I pick up my phone and call Claire. I don't wait for her to come up with excuses. I just say what I've got to say. "So, do you think we can talk this weekend?"

"I guess. Not really sure what there is to talk about. I'm so confused, Jameson."

I fight the urge to slam the phone down on the counter. "You think you're confused?" I want her to feel what I feel just for one minute. That white hot pain of not being able to see them. I want her to lie awake at night, listening to the endless mind-numbing quiet of a tiny duplex that used to be full of noise and chaos.

"Dammit. You think this is easy on me?"

She always gets defensive. "I love you, Claire."

I yearn to hear her say it back. But she doesn't. She simply says, " I know you do."

Five long minutes of circling around like tough guys on the playground. Lots of threats but no punches thrown. Lots of words but no resolution. There is no warm goodbye, just a clipped "see you this weekend."

I feel the duplex closing in on me. I put the leash on Heston and we head out. The sky is gray, weighted clouds hover, threatening to burst. But we walk. Heston stops pulling after twenty minutes.

I stop at the corner and pull out my phone. If anyone can give me some insight into my current situation, it's my former brother-in-law, Bryon. He was married to Amanda. When things went south in their marriage, every problem was laid square on his back. He became the family scapegoat. But he's a good guy, a real guy.

He answers on the second ring. "Hey, Jameson, how are you doing?"

"Pretty good. Look I was wondering if you had a night free this week?"

"Are you asking me out on a date?" He laughs. He has a good hearty laugh and it's good to hear it.

"The way things are going ... I just might."

He pauses. "Yeah, I heard Claire left you."

"We're just taking a little time apart, you know, time to reflect and figure some shit out."

"Hey, of course. Uh, how about tomorrow night. I can come there, if it's easier."

"Great. I'll see you then."

I walk Heston home. Even though nothing has changed, I feel a little better. If anyone can shed some light on what to expect, it'll be Bryon.