Mayor Thompson
My fingers trembled,splashing a pool of hot coffee onto the mountain of paperwork. My heart raced as I felt a wave of anxiety wash over me. I was so close to the breaking point.
“Damn it!” I muttered. The room felt like it was closing in on me. The scent of stale coffee and old books seemed nauseating, and the hum of the air conditioning was driving me insane.
My vision blurred and tears pooled in my eyes. The walls of the room seemed to close in as I felt a wave of loneliness wash over me, leaving me feeling insignificant and trapped. This wasn't the job I'd always dreamed of, but I'd come to love it. I was proud of what we were doing for Harmony Grove, but now I had the mayor doing everything in his power to see me fail.
As if my workload wasn't crushing enough, then Henry’s school called. They informed me that they would be letting out early due to a power outage. My heart raced as I tried to figure out how to pick him up in the middle of the day and still meet these deadlines.
Just then, my phone buzzed. Billy.
I heard about the early dismissal. Don’t worry, I’ll pick up Henry and bring him to your place.
Relief washed over me.
After what seemed like an eternity, I managed to put together some semblance of the analysis that the mayor wanted. My mind was foggy, and my back ached from the tension and sitting in the same position for hours. My eyelids felt like sandpaper every time I blinked because I’d been staring at the screen for so long.
The office was quieter now, most of the staff having already left. The custodian was going about his routine, and the soft hum of his vacuum cleaner resonated down the hallway.
Vacuuming? I checked the time in the lower corner of my computer monitor, cursing when I realized it was nearly seven.
I pulled my phone out of the top drawer of my desk to see a series of messages from Billy.
Hey, we’re going up to the park for a bit. Let me know if you can duck out early.
Then a while later…
I guess you weren’t able to get out early. I’ll get dinner ready.
You must be busy today. Don’t stay too late.
Babe, it’s after six. It’s time to come home.
I quickly gathered my belongings and made my way to the parking lot. The air outside was cool but with a trace of humidity to it. I debated texting Billy to let him know I was on my way but figured it’d be best if I just got my ass home as quick as I could. Each turn and stop on the drive felt automated, as if my body was operating on muscle memory alone.
As I pulled into the driveway, I noticed Billy’s car. He’d parked to the right side, leaving room for me to pull into the garage. Guilt gnawed at me, but also an inexplicable sense of relief that Billy was there. Today marked the first time I’d ever zoned out at work to the point I hadn’t even thought about needing to get home to Henry.
What sort of father was I?
When I opened the front door, a wave of warmth enveloped me, and the rich aroma of simmering sauce and fresh bread wafted through the air. The sounds of laughter and clinking dishes filled the house as Billy and Henry worked together in the kitchen.
“Hey buddy, how was your day?” I managed to ask Henry, trying to muster a smile.
“It was awesome, Dad!” Henry exclaimed, showing me a drawing he made.
Dad. When had my little boy grown up? Him not calling me Daddy like he always did had a lump forming in my throat.
Billy, who was stirring a pot on the stove, looked over his shoulder and offered a nod of acknowledgment. His mouth was drawn into a tight line.
“You didn’t have to make something from scratch,” I muttered to Billy, though a part of me was thankful. He was going to spoil us if he kept showing up with ingredients instead of something that could easily be warmed up.
“You need help, Michael. Let me do this,” he responded, in a tone I hadn’t heard before. It was commanding, but caring. I didn’t know how to react.
I set my messenger bag down and slumped into a chair at the kitchen table. My senses were assaulted by the homely atmosphere: the simmering tomato sauce, the heat from the oven, the soft yellow glow of the lights, and the touch of the wooden table under my hands.
Billy turned down the heat on the stove and walked over to me. He looked me in the eyes and said, “From now on, when you get home, you’re going to focus on Henry and yourself. No more work after dinner. We’re going to create a routine. Things will get better. You’ll see.”
There was something in the way he took control that made the weight on my shoulders feel just a bit lighter. His dominant presence was reassuring, and in that moment, I felt like maybe I could breathe again.
