Id love to take you out to dinner, Andrew said like a gentleman.

She smiled. I look forward to it. They dont make them like you anymore.

He blushed. Im really not that interesting.

She touched his arm then squeezed gently. And youre still solid. I like that.

I wanted to barf. Seeing my dad get hit on was gross. Sothe house?

Yes, its yours for the original bid you gave.

Awesome, I said.

Ill have the realtor take care of it tomorrow.

Yes! Thank you. I stood up and shook her hand. I appreciate it.

No, thank you. She looked at Andrew fondly.

Well, I guess we should go I was trying to save my dad. I thought she might jump on him and start humping his brains out.

Yes, we should. He stood up and stepped away. Are you free tomorrow?

I am.

Ill pick you up at six.

Sounds lovely. She walked us to the door and to the porch. Drive safely.

Thank you, he said.

We headed back to the house, both of us silent.

He turned to me. If you see your mother, please dont mention this.

No problem.

Am I allowed to tell anyone about the baby?

I want to tell Sean and Scarlet myself.

He nodded. Got it.

I dropped him off at the house. I parked the car and waited for him to get out.

When he didnt move, staring out the window at the house, I knew he was going to say something serious, something I would think about my entire ride home. I was worried about you for a while there, son. You fell pretty far and I wasnt sure if you were coming back. For the first time, I was scared. Your mother and I worked really hard to raise you boys into becoming generous, caring, and respectable men. Sean hasnt always been perfect, but I knew he would make me proud, which he has. I waited for him to finish, my heart in my throat. Im glad the two of you worked it out and youre being a man and taking care of Cassandra. All Ive ever wanted was for you to be happy. I can die happy knowing you made it.

Dad, dont talk like that. I hated thinking about him dying. He said it like it would happen tomorrow.

Hey, its the truth. You never know when its going to happen. Just accept it.

I swallowed the lump in my throat.

But you have to promise me something, and you have to keep that promise even after Im in the ground.

My eyes watered just thinking about it. What?

He gave me a firm look. Dont ever let that happen again. He didnt look away or back down. I mean it, Mike. The world can be cold and forgiving. It will chew you up and spit you back out like youre worthless, but dont ever give into it. Rise above it and be strong. You have a kid on the way. Everything has to change, Mike. You have to be the wall that kid needs. If something bad happens, you cant just fall apart. No more being weak.

I couldnt look at him anymore. It wont happen again, Dad.

Promise me. Even if Cassandra leaves you for someone else or does something unspeakable, promise me you wont behave that way again. Im not always going to be there to help you, Mike.

I closed my eyes for a moment, hating myself for the way I acted when Cassandra broke my heart. I became a man I despised. Before, I used to be that way because I didnt know what else to do. But that time, I did it on purpose. I purposely sunk that low. I said and did unspeakable things. I wasnt an honorable man like my father was. I brought him shame. My dad was a mountain you could never move. I needed to be the same way.

Promise me, he said louder.

I promise, I whispered.

And you better keep it.

I will.

Because you got two other people to think about now.

I know, Dad.

He patted my shoulder. And maybe more someday.

I hope so.

He opened the door and got out. Goodnight.

Night.

And Mike?

Yeah?

Im very proud of you. He gave me a serious look before he shut the door and walked back into the house.

I took a deep breath then drove back home, thinking about everything my father said long and hard. I was going to be a dad. And I promised myself I would be the best father I could be"just like him.

8.

Sean I picked up a few pregnancy tests on my way home from work. Id been working my ass off to knock up my wife but nothing had happened yet. I didnt mind having sex with her all the time, but I wanted to have sex with her while she was pregnant. Now, that was hot.

I came home and kissed my wife like I always did.

How was work? she asked.

I shrugged. Whatever. I opened the bag. I got you a few pregnancy tests.

I just had my period not too long ago.

Just take one. It doesnt hurt, right?

She gave me a firm look. Sean, itll happen. Dont stress about it.

Im not stressing, I said. I just want to make sure.

She took the bag and placed it on the counter. Ill take one in a little while.

Take one now, I said impatiently.

She glared at me. I cant pee on command.

Actually, you can. Everyone can.

Well, I dont have to pee right now. She took a pan out of the oven and set it on the table.

Whats for dinner? I asked.

Eggplant parmesan.

Scarlet made three vegetarian meals a week so my dads cholesterol wouldnt go up. He was fairly healthy, but Scarlet was a stickler for that sort of thing.

I looked at my watch. Time for a quickie before dinner?

It can wait.

I growled.

Dont growl at me. She had a playful smile on her lips.

I grabbed her hip and pressed my mouth to her ear. I growled again.

She tried to squirm out of my grasp but didnt put up much of a fight. I liked playing games with her. She pretended to hate it but I knew she secretly loved it. Stop.

I growled again. Youre mine later. Im going to eat you alive.

My dad came into the kitchen wearing a suit and tie.

Arent you a little dressed up for dinner? I teased.

Actually, I wont be joining you. He fixed his Rolex. But save me some for later. He headed to the door.

Where was my dad going? He never left the house in the evening. I hoped he was going to my moms house for dinner or something. Wait up, old man.

Yeah? he asked.

Where are you going?

Out.

Out? I crossed my arms over my chest. Out where?

He shrugged. With some friends.

You dont have any friends.

Yes, I do, he said defensively.

But you only golf with them or talk money.

He shifted his weight like he was uncomfortable. Ill see you when I get back.

Hold on. I sauntered closer to him. What are you up to?

Sean, leave him alone, Scarlet said. Hes a grown man and can come and go as he pleases.

Thank you, Andrew said to her.

Nope, this is my house and my rules, I said. And I want to know where youre going.

My dad smiled. Payback is a bitch, isnt it?

Yep. I stared him down. Now tell me where youre going.

Id rather not say He was going to my moms. I knew it. They were going to hook up because they were disgusting and missed each other. My evil plan had worked. Too bad.

Sean, leave your father alone, Scarlet said.

Ive always liked her more than you, Andrew teased.

Spill it, old man.

He sighed. Imkindagoing on a date.

What? You mean with Mom?

He put his hands in his pockets. No.