"It's not that bad. I'm used to it now."
Jake runs out of his room. "They're here."
I walk to the door and see a small blue car parked outside.
"I'll be right back," I say to Brook.
"Where are you going?" Jake asks, following me out the door.
"I want to meet his dad."
Jake sighs and mutters something as we walk to the car.
The dad lowers his window as I go up to him. He looks like he's close to forty but he's wearing a baseball cap so it's hard to tell.
"Hey, I'm Dean, Jacob's brother." I shake the guy's hand.
"Kevin," he says. "Ben's dad."
"Jacob said you're going to ride go-karts?"
"They are, I'm not," he says with a laugh. "My knees can't handle getting into those things."
"Any idea when you'll bring him home?"
"Dean," Jacob says from the back seat, rolling his eyes.
"Probably around seven," the dad says. "I told the boys I'd take them for pizza. The place has an arcade. I'll let them play some games before we head home, if that's okay."
"That's fine. Let me give you some money." I reach in my pocket for my wallet.
"Don't worry about it," the dad says. "It's on me."
"Thanks," I say, putting my wallet away. "Hey, could I get your number, just in case I need to call?"
"Sure." He gives it to me, and they leave.
When I walk back to the house Brook is standing at the door waiting for me. For a moment I get a flash of a future where I’m coming home to a wife who looks like Brook, greeting me at the door. I quickly shove the image out of my brain. It'll never happen. I won't let it.
"Were you watching us?" I ask.
"Maybe a little." She follows me inside. "You're so good with him. Better than most dads...including my own."
She hasn't told me about her dad or why her parents divorced. That night we talked she avoided mentioning her parents, other than telling me her mom has a new job and works a lot of hours. I want to know what she meant just now but I don't think I should ask. I'm supposed to be avoiding her, and if I can't, I need to keep our conversations about stuff that isn't personal.
"You heading out?" I say.
She looks at me, seeming surprised. "Oh, um, I can."
"You don't have to. I just thought you'd want to go.” I walk up to her. “Do you want to stay?"
She nods, and I notice she's tearing up.
"Brook?" I put my hand on her shoulder. "Are you okay?"
She shakes her head, tears pouring down her face. "Everything's falling apart."
"What do you mean?" I take her hand and lead her to the couch to sit down.
