9. Bigger Priority

9

BIGGER PRIORITY

M ichael wasn’t one to talk on the phone with a woman, but he wanted to at least offer a bone for having to cancel on her so much.

But the fact he was sitting here watching the clock waiting for the time to come told him he might be more vested than her in trying this.

He checked on Ty one more time, saw his son was out cold hugging a stuffed monkey, then walked back downstairs and went to his family room in the back.

He was far enough away that Ty wouldn’t hear him talking. Not that it mattered, but he didn’t like to bother or wake his son up either.

When his phone rang around eight, he answered right away. “Hello,” he said.

“Hi, Michael,” Kelly said on the other end. “Is it a good time to talk?”

“It is,” he said. “Ty is sleeping.”

“Does he normally go to bed at seven thirty on the weekends too?” she asked. “Or don’t you want to talk about him? You can tell me that too. It’s fine.”

“We can,” he said. “It’s not like you don’t know I’ve got a child.”

“I know,” she said. “I’ve known all along. I’ve got no problem with it. I hope you know that.”

“I do,” he said. “Or was assuming it, but am glad it’s coming out right now too. It’s nice to know those things.”

“You’ve said before that is an issue when it comes to dating. You’ve got a bigger priority than a woman in your life.”

He didn’t like it when it was phrased that way. It made him sound selfish when he tried not to be.

“Yes,” he said. “Doesn’t mean if the woman is right, they can’t be an equal priority.”

“Can I tell you how sweet that is to hear?”

“Sweet?” he asked, lifting an eyebrow.

“One, that makes you a great father and you don’t always see that with men. Not that men aren’t good parents, but I’ve found it’s often the mother who puts the kids first and is less selfish.”

He snorted. “That is normally the way it is, but not here. I think my son should be put first in someone’s life.”

“See, sweet. Any man I end up with, I want him to feel the same way about his children as he does about me. I’m not a jealous person and if someone is jealous over that bond between a parent and child, they aren’t right for you.”

“I’ve never thought of it that deeply. Just that I don’t do well with balancing it all, though I try if I can. I think I normally just ask for some understanding in the beginning.”

“Oh,” she said, laughing. “That’s me. I think I’ve proven how understanding I can be. Maybe not everyone understands me, but you get where I’m going.”

Could be why he felt like he wanted to try harder with Kelly when he hadn’t with other women in the past.

“I do,” he said. “I appreciate it too. Especially since I canceled on you twice. Normally once is enough for someone to give up.”

“I can see a lot of people doing that,” she said “Maybe when I was younger I wanted to be first in someone’s life.”

“Is that why you married Brian?” he asked. “Or one of the reasons?”

“I guess. I loved him. Never doubt that. But if he weren’t dying, I wouldn’t have married him. We were great friends. We were the other’s firsts because we thought we were meant to be a couple. Turns out we were just better as friends.”

“Many thought that was a sacrifice that you married him?” he asked.

“It wasn’t to me,” she said. “This is horrible. I even feel bad saying it. But I think deep down I knew he wasn’t going to beat it. I didn’t know enough about what was going on with him medically, but talking to him, it became apparent he was tired of fighting.”

“You can only fight so much before things take over anyway,” he said. “Strength alone can’t beat something.”

“No,” she said. “But people do beat leukemia. They get bone marrow transplants and live for years or a normal life as much as they can. I could trip going to the bathroom when I hang up this phone and hit my head just right and it’s lights out permanently.”

“Wow,” he said. “I didn’t realize you were that much of a klutz.”

She laughed on the other end. “I’m not. And I think we should change the topic to something lighter. Just know that I understand where you stand right now in your life.”

“I’m the one who brought up Brian, so my bad.”

“It’s fine. As I said, no one else knows. I think I only told you because I wanted you to not feel bad about what others might judge you on.”

“I don’t feel bad about it,” he said. “It’s a fact of my life.”

“An unapologetic male,” she said. “I don’t even mind that.”

He laughed. “Good to know,” he said.

“So...do you have your feet up?”

He looked over and saw his sock-covered feet on the couch while he leaned into the corner. “I do.”

“I thought it was kind of sexy to see your feet on your desk at work. A nice confident cocky relaxed vibe.”

He wiggled his toes and the smiley faces moved around. She wouldn’t think that if she saw his feet right now.

But they were socks that Ty picked out one day for himself, then saw they came in Michael’s size and wanted them to be matching.

How could he say no to that?

“That’s me,” he said. “Or used to be. I think. That makes me even more cocky saying that.”

She was laughing on the other end. “I think it’s more confidence and since I’ve got plenty of it myself, I’m okay with it on a man. Actually, I prefer it on the men I date.”

“Yay me,” he said.

“You’re funny, Michael. I’m glad I got to discover that about you.”

“I knew it about you,” he said. “You’re more outgoing.”

“I think you’re just as outgoing as me but only with a select few.”

“I am,” he said. “Is there anything special you want to do on Saturday for our date?”

“I haven’t thought much of it,” she said.

“Is it because you are afraid I’m going to cancel? I won’t. I told you that. My parents will take Ty if Electra cancels. I already checked.”

His mother wanted to know why and he just said he was going out. He didn’t say with whom and his mother wouldn’t ask. She was probably guessing it was with Owen or some other friends.

“Then I’ll put some thought into it,” she said. “Is there anything you don’t like to do or don’t want to do?”

“Not really,” he said. “I’m pretty open minded.”

“How about the Charlotte Fair?” she asked. “I haven’t been in years.”

“Sure,” he said. “I’ll be dropping Ty off at ten and we can get some lunch or something before we go there.”

She laughed. “No,” she said. “You eat fair food when you’re at the fair. I think it starts around one.”

“Then I’ll pick you up at twelve thirty,” he said.

“Sounds like a date to me,” she said. “Then we’ll take the rest of the day and night as it comes.”

Michael smiled. He knew how he’d like that night to go but would by no means bring it up. He’d let her make that move when she was ready.

“I’ll see you Saturday,” he said. “I’m sure we’ll text before then.”

“That would be nice,” she said.

He felt bad. He did not have to talk to someone daily. It just wasn’t his thing even when he was seriously dating someone. The woman normally made the first move toward him to text and he’d reply, but he didn’t often do it himself.

He’d make a better effort going forward now.

He hung up after that, saw the time on his phone and it was only a fifteen-minute call. Not long, but enough to put a smile on his face.