Talking to Tom

Epilogue

Claire

This is the last day of talking to Tom on the phone before he comes back.

Caroline is so excited to see him. It's been six months and he is clear to come back.

He's called us every day to say hello since he landed in LA.

"Goodmorning baby"

"Say goodmorning daddy"

Caroline giggles and I smile. How has she grown so much in just six months? I mean she's a baby and they grow really fast but still, why?

"One more day, then I get to see my girls."

"We are very excited, decorating the house even."

"Really? My, I can't wait"

"Caroline is learning to wiggle crawl and I'm sure by the time you get home she will be walking"

"I hope not, I haven't missed that much have I?"

"No..I've been showing you everything. But she is going fast."

"Okay well I'll call you later, it's quite a fun day on set."

"I will look forward to hearing about it later"

"alright, bye I love you"

"I love you too"

He hangs up and I set Caroline on the carpet. The box of decorations are sitting in front of me and for some reason it feels weird.

It's like I don't want to decorate, I've been telling myself he is sorry and he is. I just think to myself, I don't mean it. Whenever he says goodbye I just speak for Caroline, I don't want him back.

I feel like a family on the phone but in person he's an outsider. It's not him.

I just see the old him and I don't see a father, I see a guy with a crazy dog.

I start crying on the floor. I feel so awful. I want to call him but I can't, what am I going to do when he gets here? Just scream and make him leave again? I can't. I can't be the bad guy now.

I'm breaking a promise, our promise. We are supposed to get married, I still wear the ring. I kept it on because I knew eventually I would feel the same way I did once, but I still haven't.

I want to be back for Caroline's sake. I think if we actually ended completely I would break, it was hard enough thinking about it before.

I stand up and put the box by the door. I figured me and Caroline need some air so we are going for a walk.

Since Tom has started filming most of the cameras have left but there are a few still. I'm guessing they are here to see Caroline because I'm not that famous, I just modeled a little.

I put the leashes on willow and woody and tie them to the stroller. Caroline loves walks, I grab her flowers to hold while we walk.

Towards the end of the street a few paparazzi stand to take pictures.

"Claire Claire do you know anything about your husbands new movie?"

I just smile and keep walking.

"Are you jealous of his beautiful costars?"

"Are you planning on getting pregnant again? People want to see pregnancy photos!"

"Claire can you pose for a quick photo!"

I don't always get asked questions but they can be very targeting. Like once somebody told me Tom hid us because we are ugly and everyone would be disappointed.