“I want Mommy,” Michael whined again.
“Can we just go home?” Charlie asked his Dad as he wondered around
the office.
“I told you-” Justin began to say, but stopped when he saw his
son now sitting behind Ms. Kay’s desk. “Charlie, get out from
behind Ms. Kay’s desk and come sit by me and your brother.” Justin’s
voice was tired and patient, but very firm.
Charlie rolled his eyes and did what he was told. “I’m bored.
Can’t we go look around?”
“Charlie, what did I tell you?”
He crossed his arms over his chest and frowned angry looking down. “I
hate this! I just want to go home!”
“Well I’m sorry you can’t. The roads are all blocked. So
you are going to stay here and keep quiet because you are starting to give
me a headache.”
Without looking up, he Charlie said sarcastically, “If you didn’t
screw up with Mom, we’d be spending Christmas at home and I wouldn’t
be giving you a headache.”
Justin stared at his son, with his mouth gaping and his eyes blinking. He
couldn’t believe what he heard from his son. Deep down he knew his son
was right, he screwed up and what he’ll give for one clear chance to
wipe the slate clean, to dig his way out of the hole he created himself when
he cheated on his wife and his children. It’s something he’ll
regret for the rest of his life.
“Charlie,” Justin said finding his voice “I never meant
to hurt you, Michael or your Mom.”
Charlie looked at his Dad. “Do you love her?”
“Who your Mom?”
“No, that lady. Do you love her?”
Justin shook his head hard. “No, I love your Mom.”
He looked down at his hands and back at his Dad. “I don’t think
she loves you anymore.”
“Do you think so?”
Charlie nodded. “She says bad stuff about you to JC on the phone. I
overheard her once. She didn’t know I was listening.”
Justin just nodded and asked, “Do you think MAYBE she’s just angry
with me?”
Charlie shrugged. “I don’t know, maybe.” He cocked his head
to the side. “If someone is angry at someone can they still love each
other?”
He smiled and nudged his son playfully. “I get angry at you sometimes,
but does that mean I don’t love you?”
“No.” Charlie smiled.
Hearing the door open Michael turned his head and smiled from ear to ear seeing
me. “MOMMY!” He jumped out of his seat and ran to me. “Are
we going home now?”
“Aw sweetie,” I kissed his little head. “We can’t
go home, all the roads are blocked.”
“That’s what Daddy said. He said we’ll going to spend the
night here in the airport, but I don’t have my bed. Where am I supposed
to sleep?”
I chuckled softly. “On the floor silly.”
“That’s what Daddy said.” I couldn’t help but chuckle
and Michael giggled.
I looked over at Charlie and smiled at him. “And how is my other little
man doing?”
He rolled his eyes. “Mommm, I’m 7 years old. I’ll be 8 next
month. I’m not your little man anymore.”
“Oops, sorry I forgot.”
“Is it crowded in the airport?” Justin asked.
“What do you think?” I snapped.
“Damnit Sam, I was just asking.”
“Well don’t. In fact don’t even talk to me. I don’t
even want to look at you right now.”
“Well the feeling the mutual.” Justin turned himself around in
his chair.
“Oh, that’s mature.”
“Damnit Sam, what-”
“Stop it!” Charlie shouted cutting his Dad off. “Stop fighting!”
Justin and I looked at Michael and Charlie, who were looking back at us with
sad eyes. We never wanted them to hear us fight, but that is exactly what
we were letting happen.
“I’m so sorry,” I said apologizing to the kids. I gave Michael
a tight squeeze.
“I’m sorry too,” said Justin. “Your Mom and I won’t
fight anymore.”
“Promise?” said Charlie. He looked at both at us. “No more
fighting or arguing?”
Justin and I exchanged glances for a moment and then we nodded. “Promise.”