Love In The City

Raul POV

     Raul Pov

“Daddy, can we get some Ice Cream?”

“Sure sweety,” It was going on five when we came out of McDonald's, and her mother was already thirty minutes late.

I dialed her number again and after the third ring a man’s voice picked up, “Is there some reason you keep calling my wife’s phone?”

“Actually, there is she’s supposed to meet me to pick up our daughter, and she is late.” Who the hell did this asshole think he was, anyway?

“I will let her know,” Before I could reply he hung up on me.

I picked up Mariella and carried her to the car. Once I had her buckled in safely in her booster, I map quested the nearest Ice Cream Parlor. There was one less than a mile away.

“Daddy’s going to be right here outside the car. I need to find where we will get some Ice Cream.” I needed to call her mother back, but didn’t want her to overhear.

“Can I get Chocolate Ice Cream?” Just seeing the smile on her face calmed me down.

“Of course princess,” I kissed her on the forehead and shut the door, standing close to her, but not close enough she could hear my conversation. I once again dialed the number of the woman I have come to loathe.

“Hello,” her voice was cheery, and it surprised me she answered instead of her husband.

“Let’s get this straight, we agreed on a time and place to meet. You know I have to drive all the way out here and back to San Francisco. You didn’t even have enough decency to call me or anything. I’m taking Mari down on Crawford Street to get some Ice cream, I expect you there in less than an hour to pick her up. And if your no-good husband ever talks to me like that again when I am trying to get a hold of you concerning our child, I will take Mari back with me and she will live there. Do I make myself clear?” I asked her.

“Calm down Raul, we got back late, and I went to take a shower. I lost track of time. I will meet you there, I know the place,” She tried to use her voice on me, the one she used to use years ago. But it didn’t work anymore.

“This isn’t the first time you have done this, and it wouldn’t have been so bad if you just told me. Then that punk runs his mouth,” I glanced over at Mari, who was playing with her Dora doll without a care in the world, thankful she couldn’t hear our conversation.

“Alright, I’m on my way now,” I didn’t reply, I just snapped my I-Phone shut and got in the car.

It was bad enough when she moved over four hours away. Normally I would just fly down and back, but Mari feared planes, so we drove.

When I pulled up into the ice cream parlor, I noticed a small line. I unbuckled Mari and headed to the line. If I knew her mother she would push it and come at the last minute right when her hour was up. She wasn’t always like this just since she married that moron. If I wasn’t so sure he was good to Mari, I would have already taken her to live with me. But Mari adored him and her mother. I struggled to understand it. The d**k may have had his issues with me, but he was good to my daughter.

“Do you think mommy has ever been to Disney?” My little princess asked me.

“Yes, she went when she was a little girl too I bet,” I picked her up in my arms so she could see them make her ice cream cone.

“Can we go again soon daddy?” She looked up at me with her baby blue eyes, she thankfully got from me and I melted instantly.

“We will go again soon,” I said. Ever since I had her, my world has changed.

“Hey what can I get you guys today?” I guess I didn’t notice it was our turn in line, as the woman’s voice startled me.

“I will take two chocolate cones dipped,” I said.

“look, daddy, a chocolate machine!” Mari’s eyes lit up as she saw the chocolate coat the ice cream.

I paid her for the ice cream and took Mari to an empty table nearby. Checking my watch, it was almost five-thirty, and I was sure I wouldn’t get back home until almost eleven. My cell began vibrating in my pocket, and I hoped it wasn’t Elizabeth with another excuse.

“Hello,” I said

“Hey partner, how was Disney?” I was thankful for the voice of my best friend on the other line.

“We had fun. Listen, I am going to get back late, and need you to fax me that Krieger file. I have an early meeting with them and need to look it over.” I said.

“Sure I can do that before I leave. Are you still waiting on Beth?” he asked me.

“Yea, but what is new,” I said.

“You need to settle down. It's too hard for you to keep doing this alone. You need a kind woman in your life, my friend.” He laughed. Though he sounded like he was teasing, I knew he wasn’t. It was something I heard all the time.

“That is exactly what I don’t need in my life,” I said.

“You can’t play the field forever. You will end up a lonely man one day. Oh, before I forget I hired your new assistant, she will start tomorrow.” he said.

“Please tell me you hired someone more interested in working, not trying to,” I looked at my daughter who was eating her ice cream and added, “clear off my desk.”

“Nice cover there Raul, but yes she is pretty, but she seems more concerned with her job then um clearing off your desk. She came highly recommended,” he said.

“Oh, by who?” I was curious.

“My sister.”

“You know I still haven’t met your sister.” I glanced down at Mari who was happily eating ice cream as she rocked her feet back and forth in the air.

“Oh, you have seen her but I doubt you will ever get to meet her,” he laughed.

“You can’t seriously think I would make a move on your sister?”

“No, actually I don’t but if she knew how big a player you are she would probably make it her life mission to chop your balls off.” he laughed.

“I’m not a player. You have to be dating someone. I don’t do dates,” I said.

“True, but watch out because one day you will be too old to pull the chicks,” he joked.

We talked a few more minutes, and I was in a better mood when we hung up. We have been best friends for years and when I caught Elizabeth cheating on me; he was the first to let me crash on his couch.

“Daddy, what’s a player?” Mari asked me. I almost dropped my ice cream cone when I heard her question.

“Sorry Raul,” I heard and was actually thankful for the first time in a long time to hear my ex’s voice.

“Mommy, daddy took me to Disney, and I got to ride rides and see Meeky Mouse,” I just adored the way she said, Mickey.

“Sounds like you guys had so much fun,” She said.

“Come here, my little princess,” I picked her up and gave her a kiss on the cheek. I always hated dropping her off, but I had work to get back too.

I watched as she strapped Mari in her booster and shut the car door. “I would appreciate it if you call me later or tomorrow so we can talk about this and arrange my next visit,” I told her.

“I will call you tomorrow,” She leaned over her car door and I nodded my head. I would not have this conversation in a parking lot with my daughter in the car. I needed to get back home.