An Imperfect Love Story - Book 8

Midnight Calls

STEF POV

I hated when the kids left. God, did I ever and I miss them like nothing else as I can feel a deep ache in my heart like I did every time they left. This was probably one of the hardest things about co-parenting, when your kids left.

And yes I had done this with Mike and I always missed Callie when she left to spend the weekends with him but at least I still had my other kids. Now, it was no one and even if Lena and I had this arrangement for awhile now I wasn't sure I'd ever get used to it. I just wouldn't and I wasn't sure I'd ever get used to my bed being without Lena in it beside me.

Changing out the record on my player, I glance at the book on the table from my book club. As much as I loved reading I wasn't sure why I had not even read past the second page but like RJ suggested, I'd read at least the first chapter since she wanted to meet up to go surfing and chat about it.

I mean yeah, I was trying to get myself out there but, man, this was harder than I realized. It just was as in reality I had no damn clue on how to make friends with anyone. It was something I had not even realized since I've known all my friends for well over twenty years. Coworkers didn't really count either because it was a different kind of thing. But going out there, putting yourself out there to make friends and meet new people, shit that was a whole new territory for me.

Hearing the phone ring on my kitchen wall I glance at my stove seeing it is rather late as I I pick up the receiver.

"Hello?"

"Mama Dukes! I fell asleep earlier trying to watch a movie with Stefanie and Callie, and didn't get to say goodnight! I just woke up!" Frankie says on the other end as I smile for this child called me every night that she was away from me.

Callie used to do the same when she lived with her father as a little girl when I lost custody of her, also when we got to California and when Lena and I first split. But no one was as consistent as my Frankie girl.

"That's ok, sweetheart. And it's late love. I would have understood, sweetheart."

"I know it but, well, I just like to tell you goodnight and that I love you."

"I love you too, sweetheart. You have a good day? Mm?" I see my smokes on the kitchen table as I grab one and light it.

"Yeah. Cals and I took some shots of the sunset tonight for her project, and the bakery was good too. You?"

"My day was good too, love. But, I want you to get some sleep, and you are minding Mama, yes?"

"Yeah, I swear I am." Her voice sounds rather tired for I know she is sleepy and I smile on the other end.

"That's my girl. Sweet dreams my love. Ok?"

"Ok. I love you, Mama Dukes. Goodnight."

"I love you too, babygirl. Goodnight." I say as she hangs up and I do as well as I puff my smoke and feel tears start to run down my face.

Ones I didn't want to fall but I missed the hell out of my family and I missed my ex-wife who just, well, confused the fuck out of me. I mean yeah, I loved our fucking, Christ did I ever, but hell, I didn't know. I just didn't as I toss a few loads of laundry in not really knowing what else to do with myself for this house was so damn quiet, I could barely take it as I reorganize the kitchen pantry and refrigerator and as I look at the stove clock, I see it's now almost midnight.

I decide to quickly shower and once again I grab the damn book, Bodies of Water, and light my second smoke as I climb into bed, with the soft music still playing on my record player when I hear my phone go off again causing me to jump.