A Family Man

7

(Time skip: After the birthday party has ended)

4:30pm

William:

The party has ended...all the children have left home with their parents, all except Charlie and my kids. "All right kids," Henry starts..."...you're gonna help out, okay? Now pick up all the empty soda cans and pizza boxes and toss them out into the big blue bin outside the door."

The kids do as told, and I decide to switch off all the arcade games and put all of the chairs and tables back in place. Henry stops me midway and calls me over. "Your ex-wife's car is the yellow one isn't it? With the bright white headlights?"

Oh no

She's here. Thirty minutes early.

"Dad! Dad! Clara's here!" Michaels yells-maybe a bit too loud- from outside the diner. He then rushes in with Evan, Elizabeth and Charlie when he sees the eye-blinding highlighter park in front. I feel a shiver down my spine. This feels scarier than I pictured in my head.

"You should go home now, I'll pack up today. I don't want you to feel uncomfortable here." I whisper to Henry who seems too focused on Clara locking the car and walking toward us. He whispers back asking me if it's actually okay for him to go and I nod. He then insists on staying behind and helping out, saying that packing all this mess would take a lot out of me. I decide to go with that because now Clara's pulled the door and is stepping in. This is gonna be hell.

{Keep scrolling lads}

"Hey William"

"Hi"

Her boyfriend smells like cigarettes. That's Clara's type for you, smoking, depressed guys. He also looks like he ate too much cake and forgot to burn the calories. Clara looks very happy to see me...she's smiling. That god awful smile. I know I sound really mean but if you knew how much the divorce affected me you wouldn't complain.

"William! How are you?"

"G R E A T"

Don't I sound convincing?

There's a bit of an awkward silence...everyone staring at either me or Clara, with the exception of Henry who's packing up the office.

"So..." Clara starts, How are you my babies?" She exclaims, glancing at Elizabeth, who looks a bit confused...Evan hiding behind Michael, peeping at Clara occasionally and Michael, anger beaming in his eyes that seems that it might burst.

Michael hasn't been the same since his mother left. He hates her from the bottom of his heart. I admit I don't exactly like her either, but Michael's anger has been at a level that isn't even describable in words.

And I was right about Michael absolutely losing it...

"I'm not your child"

He sounds like he's about to shove her outside and slam the door on her face. I decide to not intervene and just watch. I want Michael to let it all out so that I don't have to hear him griping at home.

"Of course you are love! That's why I came! To spend time with you all" Clara replies, smiling.

"Your child is someone you love and take care of...like your stupid car, why do you always lie? "

Ouch

"If you loved me you would've stayed"

"But I couldn't...your father and I had a divorce son" Clara tries to be rational, but if Clara's nature is that of a calm sloth, Michael's personality is much closer to that of a cobra.

"Leaving dad just proves that your new taste in people sucks. And you can't stand being wrong!"

I wasn't expecting to get this heated...Evan wasn't either because now he's holding on to Michael like his life depends on it.

I see Henry wave to me as he quietly leaves through the back door with Charlie. They left just in time.

"That's no way to talk to your mother!"

"Maybe I can be your second dad!" Clara's boyfriend tries to calm them down. Unfortunately, it doesn't work.

"I don't even know your name...you're basically just some guy who hooked up with my ex-mother"

"Michael!" Clara sternly exclaims

I really want to tell him to be respectful and watch his tone, but I don't want him to lose it too much and attract people's attention, so I'll keep quiet. But Clara's just deciding to pour more oil in the fire.

"Watch your tone young man!"

"Just admit it! You're here to show off your luxurious life and make dad feel bad about himself! You just want to see him suffer regardless off how much effort he's putting in for us!"

Clara doesn't talk. She just looks around and tries to avoid the topic. I can't believe Michael's standing up for me...he usually just avoids me wherever he can. I thought he was mad at me for ruining his life and not getting back with Clara. I'm so glad he doesn't despise me, and even though Clara was staring at me in anger I couldn't help but crack a smile.

"Come on Harold, we're leaving" she tells her boyfriend and they both stomp out.

Evan starts to sob and Elizabeth stands stunned.

"Hey man it's fine, they're gone now, don't start the waterworks"

Evan hugs Michael from his waist and cries away while Elizabeth pats his head.

"Hey Mike" I call him. He looks at me in fear because he thinks I'll scold him for his tone and language. Which were rude and all but, someone had to tell her.

"That wasn't exactly the most respectful way of delivering the truth...but you stood up for me, So thanks buddy, I mean it."

He seems surprised but smiles at me anyway. I switch off all the lights and main systems and head home...thanks to Henry I don't have to check up on the office at all. What a day!