Endgame - Brennifer

The Aftermath - BRAD

For thanksgiving Brad decided to join his family down in Missouri. The holidays have been weird for Brad the last few years...he is always welcomed by his family in Missouri but somehow he feels out of place.

BRADs POV
The last few weeks have been tough. Not being able to speak to Jen. I want to respect her space and give her time before I try and reach out. It bothers me that things happened the way it did... she was right... I always fuck shit up.

Brad is having his morning coffee at his parents outdoor space.

Doug: You're up early. Mornin'

Brad: Morning. Yeah couldn't sleep in, I took a walk this morning around the property. We really need to fix that shed back there.

Doug: yeah, I think pops hired a contractor. They should be coming after the holidays.

Brad and Doug sat quietly sipping on their coffee, listening to the birds chirping and taking in the morning crisp breeze.

Doug: So how are things with you? Hows the divorce stuff goin?

Brad: Brutal. I hate not being able to see the kids man. Especially during the holidays, it just sucks.

Doug: I can imagine. Just hang in there. It'll be over soon.

Brad: At this point they will all be adults by the time this shit blows over. She's being so tough. I wanna put my foot down and fight for my fair share of custody but sometimes I think about the kids and it just kills me...That they gotta go through this shit. Maybe I should just give in.

Doug: Hey dude come on now, you have every right to fight it out till the end. You deserve a fair share of custody.

Brad: yeah. It just gets messy. We're both fighting it out and all the skeletons are coming out of the closet.

Doug: yeah. Divorce is always messy especially with kids involved. You know you're a good father it won't go unnoticed.

Brad: yeah I guess.

Brad chuckles.

Doug: What?

Brad: karma is a bitch.

Doug: why do you say that?

Brad: You know why.

Doug: Jen?

Brad: yeah.

Doug: hmm, I guess you learn from your mistakes.

Brad: yeah... just wish I never made that mistake. I mean I know at the end of the day I made that choice. I didn't fight hard for our marriage. I thought I needed to figure myself out... outside of our marriage. Before I knew it I was knee deep into another relationship with six kids.

Doug: You have regrets?

Brad takes a deep sigh and turns to his brother.

Brad: yeah. I mean of course I don't regret my kids, they mean the world to me. I think both Angie and I became toxic within a few years into the relationship. I am to fully blame though. I started doing things in an attempt to cover up my feelings.

Doug: hmm. Maybe you should reconnect with Jen? I'm only suggesting this because it sounds like maybe just reaching out and apologizing to her can lift some weight off from the past.

Brad: I already have. We reconnected a couple months ago.

Doug: ohh . Doug raises his eyebrow

Brad: I apologized. We're actually really good friends now.

Doug: thats good to hear man. Shes a kind person.

Brad: yeah... I might have fucked it all up though.

Doug: Why?

Brad shakes his head.

Brad: nah nothing

Doug: well whatever it is you'll figure it out

Brad: yeah.