My phone buzzed with a message from Colleen.
“What are you up to, lover?”
I smiled and texted back, “Thinking of you. Can’t wait to see you again.”
Last night had been our first time together, and the memories brought a grin to my face. We had taken things slow, dating, spending time at each other’s places, even introducing our kids. Paige had been the only one to make a big deal out of it, citing our agreement to keep our relationships away from the kids. Technically, she was right, but we both knew what really bothered her.
I had apologized and promised not to do it again until we were officially divorced, and that day had finally arrived.
“I can’t wait to see you, either,” I replied, remembering the warmth of her body against mine.
Her ex-husband must have been crazy to call her boring. Later, I dropped the kids off at Paige’s. Her puffy eyes told me she had received the same papers. We made brief eye contact before the kids’ chatter pulled her attention.
She gave me a weak smile and closed the door. Driving to my brother’s place, I reflected on life. I’d been spending more time with Lance lately, supporting him as he navigated a significant change in his life. Today was Julie’s baby shower, and though Lance wanted to be there, he didn’t want to be the only guy, so he asked me to join him.
I rearranged my schedule to back him up. I rearranged my schedule to back him up. When I arrived, my mom greeted me with a big smile and a hug.
“Hey, Art.”
“Ladies, it’s my other son, the newly single one,” she called out.
I blushed as the room cheered. After dropping off my gift, I found Julie on the couch.
“Hey, preggers. How’s my nephew?” I joked.
She giggled. “We don’t know yet. It could be your niece.”
Lance interrupted. “It’s a nephew.”
I laughed, teasing him about karma possibly giving him a daughter. As the shower wrapped up, I stayed to help clean up. Mom watched me curiously, then said, “There’s something different about you lately. I can’t explain it, but I like it.”
“Thanks, Mom,” I replied.
She continued. “When I heard Julie was having Lance’s baby, I worried about him. He’s not like you. We never had to worry about you. You were always going to be okay. But Lance, he’s different.”
“Mom, Lance is stronger than you think. He’ll be fine,” I reassured her.
She smiled, tears in her eyes. “I know. I’m proud of both of you.”
She hugged me tightly. When Lance returned, the cleanup was nearly done, and I left, excited for my date with Colleen. As I started my car, the setting sun’s glare made me pull down the visor. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, the real me.
Not just a man who’d lost weight or improved his looks, but someone responsible, loving, smart, hardworking, and a good father. I saw a man who genuinely wanted to be good and worked hard for it. That was the real man in the mirror.