Regrets II

Brayden -Reconnected

I hang up the phone and I'm almost giddy. I tried to play it cool and I hope that was what I portrayed in the conversation but it was so good getting to hear her voice again after so long. I'll never forget that sweet voice.

As I continue my drive home with my head in the clouds, my phone rings again.

"Hey dad, what's up?"

"Hey son, how are things going?"

"Not bad, just on my way home from work."

"So I was wondering, if you have a free weekend coming up if you could come down for the weekend to help me with a few things?"

"Sure, I'll just need to check my work schedule when I go back in tomorrow and see when I can make it work."

"Great, I really appreciate it!.

"Of course Pops."

We disconnected the call. Being only 4 or 5 hours from home isn't so bad. It's far enough to where I don't have to deal with all the family drama but not too far to pop in town for a weekend visit. Maybe I'll be able to get a visit in with Savannah Grace while I'm in town too.

By the time I get home, the kids are already done with their homework and Anna is finishing up dinner for the family. I greet them all before changing and helping set the table.

"How was your day?" Anna asks me.

"Not too bad" I answer her as all the kids come to the table for dinner.

Since I travel a lot for work, we always try to make sure we have dinner together as a family whenever I am home in the evenings.

"Hey guys! I missed you all today. Anything exciting happen at school today?"

Of course the smallest one has a comment. "We played!" He's 2 so anything is exciting to him.

"You did! How was daycare?"

And off he goes talking in his own little toddler language which I'm only able to understand about half of what he's saying. I just give him a little smile as I listen intently to every word he says before turning to the other two.

"What about you guys? Anything exciting today."

"Not really" the oldest answered. He's not quite to the age of ignoring his parents but at 7, almost 8 years old, there are things he'd rather be doing than having a family dinner but he appeases us mainly out of fear that he'll lose his tablet privileges. This kid and his Minecraft, he'd do anything not to have to give that up for the week!

Jessica on the other hand has a lot to say. She starts in on all the kindergarten gossip. This girl just loves all her friends. She has never met a stranger. The transition for her into kindergarten was an easy one since she has always been our little social butterfly.

Once dinner is over, I help Anna clean up and head upstairs to get the younger 2 ready for bed. Once all three are bathed and tucked in, I bring my work computer downstairs to get a few things done before bed. Anna is stretched out on the couch beside me flipping through the television stations.

"Why is there never anything good on TV until later? I am too tired to stay up and watch the good shows" she complains.

I laugh, "why don't you pull up a movie on Netflix?"

"You know I won't be able to stay awake through a whole movie."

This is true. I think to myself as I pull up my work email along with my calendar. I'm trying to see what a good weekend would be to head home to help dad out.

"Hey, so I have a training course that starts on Monday August 21st. Dad asked me if I could come help him with some things one weekend. What would you think about me leaving that Friday to go help him since it's basically on the way then leave straight from dad's to head to my training for the week?"

"I don't see why not. I don't think there's anything going on that weekend."

"Ok, I'll let him know, I know he'll be happy."

"I'm sure he will" she says with a yawn.

"Why don't you head upstairs. I'll be there in a few minutes. I just have to answer a couple emails about our morning sessions for tomorrow then I'll be up. I'll wait until tomorrow to give dad a call."

"Sounds good to me. I'm exhausted" she says as she heads up the stairs.

I finish up on my computer, close it and follow suit. I get ready for bed and by the time I slip under the covers, Anna is fast asleep.

As tired as I am, I lay awake thinking about Savannah Grace, grateful that we were able to reconnect after all these years. I finally fall asleep with a smile on my face.