Out of Time

Chapter 2

Chapter Two

Will beat himself up the whole way home. He should have definitely chosen her place. What was he thinking inviting her over? And now he had to cook too? At this point, he just prayed his neighbors stayed sober until she left because when they drank, they fought, and it was loud and embarrassing.

Granted, it was his sister’s place and a far cry from his apartment back in Virginia Beach, the one he’d just given the lease up on. He had two months to get his things out of it before it was no longer his. He loved it, the beach views, the modern look, the gym, the pool, but he couldn’t see continuing to pay for it not knowing when Jennifer was coming home.

It had been months when it was supposed to be a few weeks, and there was no end in sight. She had always dabbled in drugs, but they weren’t close and he didn’t know how bad things were until his parents had called and explained things.

His parents were in no shape to take care of two kids again, so Will had dropped everything to come and stay with the kids. At this point, with as bad as rehab seemed to be going for her, he was thinking of getting a place in town so he could stay around the kids more.

Lisa and Ben had quickly crept in and become his whole life in no time. He didn’t even mind being here and taking care of them. He was sad to lose the apartment, but the kids needed him; they needed the stability and attention he was providing even it was short term, but now he was thinking of making it long term.

Jennifer hadn’t been well for a while if the kids stories were anything to go off. They were often home alone, and he didn’t think they had ever had a home-cooked meal before he came. The lack of pots, pans, and dishes told him all he needed to know.

Before anything else, he set about making decent meals for the kids. They immediately took to it and started planning meals with him and even helping him cook. That’s how he made his bond with the kids. They accepted him in the kitchen, grateful for the meals, and everything else was fairly smooth.

Nothing was perfect by any stretch, but the three of them had found a way to make it work and get on with life. He actually enjoyed going to school plays and events. His regret was the bake sale, but now he had help with that at least.

He still had his work, and he could do damn near all of it remotely. He didn’t need to meet with Jessica today in person; he could have done it all through emails and an occasional call, like he usually did. He wanted to see her though. Seeing and listening to how her mind worked and the plans she had always intrigued him.

She wasn’t hard to look at either. He wasn’t sure where they stood with each other though. He hadn’t planned on asking for help with the bake sale while he was there; it had just come out, but she seemed happy to help—he only hoped she really was.

He had two days to get the house ready for company, the kids ready for her, and to check himself from saying anything else. Pulling up to the small house, he parked and had just opened the door when the kids came running in from school.

“How was school?”

“Good,” they both answered as backpacks hit the floor and they took off for the kitchen.

Joining them, he rinsed an apple off for himself as the kids rattled on about something that had happened on the bus. The story had dragged on for almost a half-hour before he even realized what they were doing: avoiding homework.

“Go get your stuff out.” They whined and slowly moved to their book bags. “The sooner we get started, the sooner we’ll be done.”

“I hate homework!”

“Not a huge fan myself, but it’s got to get done. I have something to tell you guys though, so get to the table and let’s get started.”

They still weren’t excited, but they did move a little quicker. Books came out and notebooks were opened at least. Homework wasn’t his favorite part of the day either. He was also tired of being told “that’s not how we do it in school” as a response to his attempts at assistance. Online search engines and videos had taught him that they were right, and he was deep into learning a new way to do basic math. It was not fun, but he wasn’t going to let the kids down. He wanted to be there to help them.

As he finished checking the last of their assignments, they started pressing for what he had to tell them. “My friend has agreed to come over here and help us make the cupcakes for the bake sale.”

“Is it Sam?”

Will rolled his eyes. She would probably help, but it was like cheating at the bake sale to have a professional help. Plus, Alex would probably flip his lid over it.

“No, it’s Jessica.”

“She can bake?”

“Why wouldn’t she be able to?”

“It’s just… I don’t know.”

“We are going to make her dinner in exchange for her taking time out of her busy day to help us with this on Friday. I expect you both to help, so what should we make her?”

“Spaghetti!” was the resounding answer from both kids. He didn’t know why they liked it so much.

“Spaghetti it is.” It didn’t take long for everything to be completely cleared away, and the kids were off to their rooms to play.

He shot off a quick text to Jessica before he started in on the chicken alfredo for tonight.

Hope you like spaghetti.

He couldn’t help but smile when she wrote back immediately.

Sure do! Can’t wait!

He put music on and went about making dinner for the kids as they came in and out of the kitchen to show him something they did. It was always at almost the exact same time, one not to be outdone by the other. He loved it though—loved listening to them explain what they were showing him and loved seeing their faces as he praised their work.

They were just sitting down to eat when his phone rang again. It was his sister. He sighed, wondering what she had to say this time, but he went ahead and answered.

“Hey sis, how’s it going?”

“Guess what?”

He wasn’t sure why, but his stomach filled with dread at that question. “I haven’t a clue.”

“They said as long as nothing changes, I can come home in two weeks.”

“Oh, that’s— that’s awesome.”

“Put me on speaker and let me tell the kids.”

He didn’t have any right to deny her, so he did and listened at the excitement between the kids and their mom at the fact that she was finally coming home. It wasn’t that he didn’t want her to, it was just that they had been there before. It was always that she was coming home and then something changed last minute and the kids were always upset.

Part of him was selfish too, wondering what to do with himself once she returned. He had made up his mind that he would have to stay here locally. He couldn’t stay literally with them due to space. Plus, he and his sister hadn’t ever gotten along well as kids, and he had a feeling that would still be the case.

“Helloooo,” Lisa said, pulling Will back into the conversation.

“Sorry, what? I was thinking.”

“Do you think Jessica will help us make more cupcakes for mom if we make her dinner then too?”

“Hmm, maybe. I will ask her later.”

Satisfied with that answer for now, they cleaned up their dinner mess, and he reminded them to shower and brush their teeth. It was getting late, so he did the dishes and read to the kids before settling down to his computer to work on Jessica’s website.

Unfortunately, his brain wasn’t in it tonight and after an hour, he just shut his laptop and got himself ready for bed. Jessica was on his mind heavy though, and he wanted to talk to someone. He debated texting her before laying down. Finally, he sent her a message.

You up?

Yep, you okay?

Yeah.

What’s up?

Sadly now he was wondering what to even say.

Will? You sure you’re good?

He was still debating what to say when his phone rang. He answered apologetically, “Hey, I’m sorry.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, honestly. I shouldn’t have bugged you. I’m sorry.”

“Come on, Will, I know something is up.”

“How?” He was genuinely curious how she was thinking something was wrong when he hadn’t said anything and had barely started a conversation.

“You don’t text me late. And I just have a feeling. Am I wrong?”

“Yes, no, I don’t know.” He sighed and laid back on the bed. He didn’t even know himself what his real issue was.

“Talk to me.”

“I shouldn’t have texted. I don’t even know why I did.”

“Nope, no takebacks. You can’t get out of it now. Just tell me what’s wrong.”

“My sister is supposed to come back in two weeks.”

The line was silent for a moment before he heard her moving around.

“For real this time?” she asked quietly.

“I think so. It could change again like always.”

“But it feels real this time?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s good, right?”

“I mean, of course. It’s just…” He let himself trail off and let it hang between them.

“Where does that leave you?”

“I don’t know.”

“Do you want to talk it out?” She sounded nervous, like she wasn’t sure what to say.

“I don’t know.”

“It’s okay not to know.”

“It’s hard not to know.”

“True. Let’s try this: do you want to go home or stay here?”

“Here has become home now I think.”

“Do you—do you want some company to talk to?” She sounded more nervous than he had ever heard from her normally very confident demeanor.

“It’s okay. I will figure something out.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah. Sorry to bug you so late.”

“One, it’s not bugging. Two, it’s not that late, only 10:00. Three, I don’t mind, promise.”

He couldn’t help but smile a little at that. She was back to full confidence now, and he knew he hadn’t been a bother without a doubt. “Still.”

“Still nothing. Come over tomorrow?” Shocked by the invitation, it took him a moment to reply. “It’s okay, if you don’t want to, or if you’re too busy. No pressure.”

“No, it’s not that. I would love to. I was just surprised.”

“Don’t be. Good night, Will. I’ll see you tomorrow, anytime.”

“Good night, Jessica.”

He could hear her yawn as she hung up the phone and smiled to himself. He was going to have a good night and hopefully a good day tomorrow. Hearing Jessica’s voice had calmed him a bit. He had reasons to stay in town aside from the kids, so it wasn’t like he would be lost when he was no longer needed here every day. And he could stay close enough to keep an eye on the kids.

It was that last thought that really finalized things for him. It wasn’t that he didn’t know what to do with himself. He was genuinely worried that when she returned, she might still not be ready to be a mom. He was worried about the kids, worried about her relapsing, worried in general.

Pushing it all from his mind, he tried to think of Jessica and tomorrow. He thought of her invite, and tried to not make too much of it, despite doing exactly that.