37. Good Handle

37

GOOD HANDLE

A month later, Michael watched Ty running around his backyard while he looked around for anything else he needed to do for his son’s fifth birthday party.

“I think it’s all set,” Kelly said. “It’s only family.”

“I know,” he said.

He heard car doors and then turned and saw his parents coming through the fence, each carrying a tray. He told his mother she didn’t have to bring anything, but she said she’d bring two salads and there was no arguing with her.

He was only grilling burgers and hot dogs. In addition to the two salads his mother brought, Kelly put together a bunch of snacks and he had baked beans. More than enough food for his parents, Cade and Alex and her family, Alex’s mother Paula, Electra’s parents, and Electra.

Not that he’d heard from the last three people on the list, but he’d extended the invitation to them as he did every year.

In the past month, Ty had only seen his mother twice. One Tuesday and one Saturday night. It felt as if there was always something going on or a last minute cancellation and Michael was getting frustrated.

He’d asked her what was up and if she’d thought of things and all she did was shrug.

The nonstop not-knowing was worse in his mind and more confusing for Ty than if things just ended altogether.

He’d address it soon enough, but now wasn’t the time.

Cade walked back and Ty took off running with his cousins. Kelly went for Jordan, and she and Alex grabbed a seat in the shade, then Paula came in too.

“How do you think it’s going to be with Electra and Kelly here together? Is this the first time they are meeting?” his mother asked.

He’d never told his mother about the time Kelly picked Ty up or the fight that followed.

He knew for a fact his mother would lecture him and tell him he was wrong. He didn’t need to be told something he knew.

“No,” he said. “They met one other time getting Ty.”

“Oh,” his mother said. “That’s good. But I’m sure this is going to be fun. Electra will probably be late.”

“I’m not sure if she’s coming,” he said. “I’ll talk to you more tomorrow. I told her she needed to figure shit out. She’s barely seen Ty in the last few months and it’s not a good situation.”

“You haven’t said a word about it,” his mother said. She looked hurt and he didn’t need that on his conscience either.

“Sorry. It’s fine. Now that Ty and Kelly know each other, it’s not as if I need someone to take him.”

“But you still need time for yourself. You’re in a newer relationship and you need to dedicate that time to her too.”

“Don’t worry,” he said. “We’ve got a good handle on things. If you want to take him one night, sure, but I don’t need to always ask for it.”

“I know you don’t have to ask,” his mother said. “But we love having him. There are Electra’s parents.”

“I’m glad they could come,” he said.

He’d done nothing more than send Amber a text of the date and time and place. No response from her, which wasn’t uncommon.

He didn’t have a problem with Electra’s parents and he didn’t think they had issues with him, but he didn’t spend a lot of time with them either.

He moved over to say hi. “I’m glad you could come,” he said.

“Where is Electra?” Amber asked. “I texted her last night and got no response and then this morning either. I thought we could have picked her up.”

“I have no idea,” he said. “I haven’t talked to her in over a week. She hasn’t seen much of Ty.”

“What’s going on?” Kirk asked. “She’s avoiding us too.”

He didn’t want to get into it now, but it might be the only time he had to talk to them.

“Why don’t we go inside for a minute.”

He turned and knew they were behind him. Kelly was in the kitchen and he hadn’t realized it. He couldn’t just ignore who everyone was.

“Hi,” Kelly said.

“Amber and Kirk, this is my girlfriend, Kelly Gifford. Kelly, these are Electra’s parents.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” she said, shaking their hands. “I’ll just get out of your way.”

“I hadn’t realized you were dating anyone,” Amber said. “Electra hadn’t said a word. Does she know?”

“I’m sure she knows,” Kirk said. “And that is why she’s acting like a ten-year-old.”

Michael didn’t want to hear this. Electra always said her father was harsh on her but maybe not harsh enough because she never grew up.

“Over a month ago, I told Electra that she needed to make some decisions in terms of Ty. I’ve been enabling her for years from stepping up and having any responsibility.”

“I’m glad to know someone else is saying the same thing we’ve said her whole life,” Kirk said.

He wouldn’t address those words. “I said she had to make some decisions. I feel as if I’m forcing the time between her and Ty. He’s getting older. He understands more. She’s no more than a babysitter and even then an unreliable one.”

Electra’s parents looked at each other. “What did she say?”

“Nothing,” he said. “She’s not said a word about it and has canceled more times than not. I’m going to make her sit down and talk about this. It’s worse than it ever has been and it’s upsetting Ty. I’m sick of making excuses for things when I don’t know her reasons. If she needs time away, then I want to know. Then I can stop having this up and down with my son.”

“Our grandson,” Amber said. “If she decides she doesn’t want to see him anymore, are we going to be cut out of the picture too?”

“No,” he said. “I won’t do that. Never. I feel I keep you more involved in Ty’s life than Electra does.”

“You do,” Amber admitted. “We appreciate the cards and pictures you send us.”

He tried to remember and text them pictures of special events or moments in Ty’s life. They’d always thanked him too.

“I’ll still do it,” he said. “If you want to see him or spend time, you are welcome to it if we can work it out. I’ll make sure that I do.”

“Okay,” Kirk said. “It’s about all we can ask for. Amber, let’s go outside and talk with Ty. It’s not the time to deal with this now.”

He watched Electra’s parents walk out the door and went to get a beer.

“That was uncomfortable, but I’m not surprised either.”

He turned when Owen was standing there. “Dude, I thought you weren’t going to make it.”

“I flew in last night. You don’t think I’d miss this, do you? I’ll fly back out tomorrow.”

Jesus. His best friend flew in for the weekend just to celebrate his son’s birthday.

“Thanks for that.”

“Why didn’t you tell me things were bad with Electra?” Owen asked.

“It’s not a conversation to have over the phone.”

“And I haven’t been around,” Owen said. “I’m sorry about that.”

“Don’t be. I always expected things might be this way, but they just turned it now. Maybe I wasn’t prepared.”

“Or she’s doing it because of Kelly being in your life?” Owen asked. “Did you think of that?”

“I know it’s that.”

“What does Kelly think of it?”

“We’ve talked. She’s been good about it all. Supportive. We had one big fight and worked it out.”

“Only one,” Owen said. “I would have expected more than that. She’s a saint to put up with what is going on.”

“Thanks,” he said drily.

“I’m not trying to be an ass,” Owen said. “Just being realistic.”

“I know. You heard what I told Electra’s parents. I’m going to have to deal with this. Ty is upset. The ups and downs are confusing and he’s not sure why she doesn’t want to see him. Maybe if I pull him back for some time she’ll realize she misses him and it will be fine.”

“Do you think that will happen?”

He sighed and took a swig of his beer. “Probably not.”

“Do what is best for Ty. You always do. But you have to do what is best for you and Kelly too. You’re not used to thinking that way.”

“I’ve been told that recently too.”

“By Kelly?” Owen asked.

“What do you think?”

“I think she’s the best thing that has happened in your life and if you mess it up, you’ll regret it.”

“I know,” he said. “I’m trying not to.”

“It’s all you can do. Now let’s go see the birthday boy.”

He went outside and saw his parents talking to Ty. Then Ty ran off to play with his cousins.

His mother went over and talked to Amber and asked them to sit with them. He appreciated that his parents always made Electra and her parents feel welcome.

He grilled burgers with Owen, and Kelly helped him set the food up, then clean up. She wasn’t by his side the whole time and he felt they had a good routine between them.

His parents spent some time talking to her too.

He felt he was rushing things because Electra’s parents looked uncomfortable so he brought the cake out to light the candles and sing Happy Birthday.

Once everyone had a piece, Electra’s parents left. Ty would open his gifts later. He wasn’t one for that being done right away. He didn’t want his son to think a party was only about what he got.

Twenty minutes later he was cleaning up the plates when Ty came over. “How come Mom didn’t come to my birthday party?”

He’d been hoping they could get through the day without Ty asking that.

“I’m sure she had to work,” he said.

“Oh,” Ty said. “But she didn’t even call to talk to me. Do you think she will later?”

“I don’t know,” he said. “But I think it’s nice that Grandma Amber and Grandpa Kirk came, don’t you?”

“Yes,” Ty said. “I did. They didn’t know where Mom was either.”

“I’m sorry about that,” he said.

“I don’t care anymore,” Ty said. “I’d rather be with you anyway.”

“Let’s not talk about it now. It’s your party and you can have fun.”

“Okay,” Ty said. “I will. Thanks for giving me a party.”

Ty gave him a big hug. Not something he always did. He knew his son was hurt over Electra not showing up. How could he not be?

The question was, did he have it in him to have her visitations ended until she could figure her life out?

He thought he did.

It was the right thing to do for Ty, him, Kelly and maybe Electra.

She needed to grow up and if she couldn’t, then there should be consequences for her actions.

It just seemed she couldn’t care less if she saw her child. Maybe he’d been blind to it for years.

All the forgotten holidays, visits, not to mention essentials for their son… Electra never forgot a shift at work. A date with a guy. A party with friends.

Things she wanted to do.

Those things she didn’t want to do, she half-assed them in life.

The truth sometimes hurt, but it could be freeing too and it was time to get a straight answer from his ex.