THIRTY-THREE
Sweaty Gym Shorts and Unexpected Heroes
Arthur - 38 Weeks
It’s the day beforeChristmas Eve. I sit with my back against the gym wall, panting after a grueling training session with Ollie. We spent the last half of our workout sparring Krav Maga-style, a particularly challenging form of fighting developed for the Israeli Defense Forces, for those of you who aren’t familiar. It’s a delightful combination of boxing, wrestling, Karate, Aikido, and Judo that focuses on rather brutal counter attacks. Just the thing when you’re in a total shit mood, which I am.
Tessa and I basically haven’t spoken, eaten, or slept together for the past week. She is absolutely pissed about her parents moving out, and I can’t seem to bring myself to go beg them to move back in. Instead, I’ve been waiting for her to finally come to her senses and realize that having them across town is really in her best interest. But so far she hasn’t, and I’m starting to think she won’t, which means I’m likely going to have to swallow my pride, go over, and apologize.
The shit part of it all is that I’ve spent the last nine months trying to protect her from anything that will be remotely upsetting to her, only tobecomethe very cause of her current state of misery. At this point, I honestly don’t know how we’re going to patch things back together, but we’d better figure it out fast because in a matter of days we’ll be very busy, very tired parents.
The door opens, and I expect Ollie to be coming back in. He left to go put some tissues up his nose to stop the bleeding. Instead, I’m shocked to find my father walking through the door, not only because I didn’t know he’d returned, but also because he’s in a room I didn’t think he knew we had.
He gives me a little nod as he crosses the room. “Arthur.”
“Father. What are you doing here?”
“Looking for you, actually.”
“Why?” I ask, narrowing my eyes and readying myself for whatever attack he’s got planned.
When he reaches me, he holds out one hand to help me up. This is...weird. I accept the gesture and rise to my feet, preparing myself to block a shot if necessary. Not that he’s ever hit me. He’s thrown a glass at me from time to time, but since his hands are empty, I may be able to relax.
“Good God, you’re sweaty.”
I nod, grabbing a towel off the nearby counter and wiping my face and neck. “That’s usually how it works. Exertion causes your body to heat, then sweat to cool you down.”
He wrinkles up his nose. “Seems like a giant waste of time if you’re just going to end up cooled down again.”
“And yet, I think I’ll continue to work out daily.”
Shrugging, he then changes the subject suddenly. “How’s Tessa?”
“She’s about as well as can be expected. Bored, uncomfortable, tired.” I stare at him for a moment, trying to sort out what he’s up to. He’s never once asked how my wife is.
He nods. “It’s better to be a man.”
“Agreed. Anyway, I should go shower and get started on my day.”
“Yes, of course. But I’d like to talk to you for a minute first.” He sits on one of the weight benches, looking completely out of place in his suit with his stiff back. “Your gran came to see me, and she made me realize there are a few things that would be of benefit for you to know about.”
I lean against the counter and cross my arms across my chest. “Like what?”
“I understand you’ve been overly anxious about Tessa and the babies.”
“Perfectly normal. We’re about to welcome our first child, who will be swiftly followed by the second one a few minutes later.”
“Right, but your level of concern is not likely within normal range.”
I’m just about to tell him he doesn’t know the first thing about my level of concern, or anything else about me for that matter, but he holds up his hand.
“Phillip’s been keeping me up-to-date on the security system overhaul, the request for geese, the pedo-checks...you have to admit, it’s gotten out of hand.”
Rolling my eyes, I say, “I don’t have to admit anything. Besides, I’ve backed off most of those things.”
“You’re worried about how she’ll do after the babies are born, aren’t you?”
“A little, yes, but—”
