Twisted Knot

Uncle Davis

~Elizabeth~

I had been home with Jeremy for two days. I had one more day until I could see Stefan, and it had been four days since I’d seen Paul. A Tuesday afternoon passed, and I left my standing date slip my mind. With all of the isolation, I had gotten a lot of work done. I managed to come to grips with my odd night. One night of confused infidelity was an incident, and I could overcome. I could move on and be a happy wife. I’d have to, because I’d made that choice.

At least Stefan and I were talking, even if he seemed strange on the phone. I guess he wasn’t doing well with the withdrawals, although he would never admit it. I just knew despite everything, we would be ok. And I was overjoyed that I got to visit Stefan, soon.

“Should I bring Jeremy,” I asked when I’d called Stefan.

“No,” He said. “I don’t want him here, around these people. It doesn’t seem kid appropriate.”

“I understand,” I said. “But I don’t have a sitter. Your parents are out of town, and Isabella, well… She isn’t an option.”

“There is one other person,” Stefan said, letting his voice trail off. “Davis and I are talking again…I don’t see the harm in asking.”

            “I do,” I said. “I haven’t spoken to him, and it’s weird.”

“You’re honestly telling me you skipped your Tuesday lunch,” Stefan said. Bitterness laced his words. I didn’t understand it; we had a fresh start, didn’t we?

“I did,” I said. “I’ve been working and I just…I couldn’t go…”

“Well, I can call him and ask about babysitting,” Stefan said. “Since you’re so terrified that you’ll jump his bones if you speak to him.”

            “Excuse me,” I said. “I never said that. Don’t accuse me of something Stefan. You know how horrible things have been. We promised each other, a new start, remember?”

“Do you want me to call him?” Stefan asked. I rolled my eyes, thankful he couldn’t see.

“I’ll call him,” I said. “And for the record, our next nanny is going to be a gay guy.”

“Whatever you want,” Stefan said. “I love you.”

“Love you too,” I said absently.

            I called Paul, waiting for the phone to ring. My fingers shook and I felt my stomach turn. Stefan wasn’t wrong about why I was avoiding Paul. But feelings weren’t wrongdoings, they just were. And my actions, lately at least, had been pure.

“Hey Liz,” Paul said. “How are you?” His voice was quiet and I heard a lot of noise in the background.

“Are you at work? I can call you back,” I said, eager to give up.

“Yeah, I’m at work,” he said. “But I am the boss, so they can wait. What is going on, how is Stefan doing?”

            “He is good. He said you guys made up and are friends again…”

“Of course we did Liz,” Paul said. “I still can’t get over what he’s been doing for Cecelia.”

“I know,” I said. “Sometimes Paul surprises me too. “ Silence followed and I just exhaled. Paul was waiting, amidst his work and life, hanging on my words. I could feel it.

“Listen,” I said. “I have a favor to ask of you. It’s actually a big one, so you can say no.”

“What is it Elizabeth?” He asked, seeming eager. Paul had this earnestness in his voice I couldn’t ignore. It was refreshing compared to Stefan’s guarded nature.

            “It’s Jeremy,” I said. “I’m going to see Stefan in two days, and he doesn’t want Jeremy in the rehab center. And my nanny is…”

“I get it,” Paul said. “How long do you need me to watch him for? An hour or two?”

 “Well actually, the job would be overnight.” I said, wincing.

“Ok,” Paul said. “But I have a condition. I probably should meet him before I watch him for so long.”

“Ok,” I said. “When should you meet him?”

“How about I come over wit pizza in an hour?” Paul asked. I sighed, feeling trapped. Avoiding problems and feelings was simpler when those problems and feelings were somewhere else, far away.

            “I’ll see you then,” I said after giving him the address. At six o’clock Paul showed up, with a gourmet pizza in a to-go box. I let him into, watching his eyes glaze over me. I was wearing jeans and an old shirt, but Paul looked at me like I was a cup of coffee in the morning. I was just what he needed, that is what his eyes said. I should have avoided Paul and his hopeful eyes. He said he’d stop pursuing you, I thought, you’re just wising he would because you lo-

I cut my own subconscious off, calling Jeremy. My fuzzy headed guy ran downstairs, carrying his toy robots with him. He smiled at me and then glanced at Paul.

            “Who this dude, Mommy?” Jeremy asked. I laughed, remembering how much I loved son for the millionth time that day. Jeremy was the spitting image of Stefan, with his eyes and square chin, but he had my light honey colored hair. Paul smiled at him, registering his features and similarities to Stefan.

“This is a friend of Dads,” I said. “His name is Paul Davis, and he brought us pizza.”

“Does he know daddy is sick,” Jeremy asked, looking at Paul. “He had to go to the doctor, and I drew him a picture.” Paul smiled.

“I did know, so I’m here to help your mom,” he said. “And if you’d like I can be your friend. You can even call me uncle Davis.”

            “My other uncle makes me call him sir,” Jeremy said. “Mommy said he has a stick up his- “I covered Jeremy’s mouth, blushing.

“He is a lovely child,” Paul laughed. I laughed and so did Jeremy and it felt good. I knew it was strange that it was so important to me that this platonic friend loved my son, but I was glad he did. We sat down and ate pizza before we all went down to the park. As I watched Paul and Jeremy play with a soccer ball, something Stefan hadn’t done in a while, something stirred in me. A little voice whispered that this picture, one with the three of us, felt like a perfect fit.

I ignored that voice, because I had made my choice. And this picture wasn’t my future, it couldn’t be.