“Yeah, that’s not really great as a first step, I guess.Not that I’m criticizing you.”He snorts.“At least they were both clothed, right?”
I shriek.“Oh my word, stop.Yes, I caught them in the family room,standing, fully clothed, in front of the Christmas tree.”
“By the Christmas tree.That would be cute, if it wasn’t my kid.”
“Mason, be serious.”
“I am, I mean, look, she’s not pregnant.”
“Yet.”
“And as far as we know, he’s been a pretty good kid now that he got his Irish reset, so maybe it’s not that bad.For now, don’t talk to anyone.Keep a close eye, and let things run their course.Hopefully it’ll fizzle out.”
“You think if I say anything, it’ll?—”
“It will one hundred percent add fuel to the flame, yeah, especially with a personality like Clara’s.She’s always been a little too rage-against-the-machine.So maybe we don’t give her a machine to rage against.”
“So Ishouldn’tgo to her room and confront her.I should let her stew.”
He laughs.“Knowing you?She’ll be terrified all night, and you did nothing to punish her at all.It’s perfect.”
Is it?Or is it just the path of least resistance?“Isn’t that kind of non-parenting?”
He sighs.“Maybe.I know that’s always been my path.Do nothing and hope it works out.It usually does work out, but not because of me.Because of you.”
It’s nice he sees that, at least.
“I think I need to talk to her,” I say.“I’ve never wanted to punish the kids.”
“I know,” he says.“Alright, well, just go easy on her.I do think with her, if you push, it’ll get worse.”
“She’ll like him more, yeah.”I sigh.“Thanks for talking me off the edge.”
“Thanks for always doing the hard things with the kids.I’m sorry I leave all of that to you.I know it’s really not very fair of me.You were just always so much better at it than me.”
“That’s the same lame excuse you gave for the laundry.”
“You are better,” he says.“Remember the time I dried your expensive Pottery Barn blanket and the faux fur fibers melted?”
I sigh.
“Or when I dried that sweater and it shrank?”
“I’m thinking you could have saved us a lot of misery by building a clothesline and never drying anything.”
He laughs.“Natalie, I am sorry for all the misery I caused.I do mean that.”
I suddenly feel a little guilty for calling him and not Cillian.I know Cillian has very little to share in the way of advice on kids and parenting, but this conversation is getting weird.“I know.”
“I understand why you don’t want to give me another chance, and I know you’re dating that guy.”
“Cillian,” I say.“My boyfriend has a name.”
“I won’t push you again, but I want you to know that I’m here in Irelandfor you.I didn’t move here for the kids, though I love them a lot.I moved to Ireland, because if you areeverready to give me another chance, I want it.”
Oh, boy.“Well, I better go talk to Clara.”I hang up, but not because I’m angry.
Because I’m scared.
