I was shellshocked. My mouth was agape and I couldn't even come up with any words as I handed him my apron and name tag. Fired? Me? I'd worked here for four years! Sure, he was an ass but this was my job! I'd served eggs for hundreds and hundreds of shifts. This was my income- what am I going to do? I have a little boy to support. I hugged Becky and Todd and picked up my flowers before walking solemnly to my car.
I drove home defeated. I had to get this out of my system. I could get another job, and I had some money saved for an emergency. Lane and I would get through this. If there was one thing I prided myself on it was doing it on my own- providing for Lane and myself. But honestly, as my car cruised along the freeway, it took all the strength I had not to fall apart. This is the last thing I need right now. Work was at least a bit of normal for me- in my personal life I'm just trying hard to mend the pieces of my broken heart. I've come such a long way over the years. I spent oh so many nights just feeling sorry for myself. I used to cry, but now I hold my head up high. And I will continue to do that, I tell myself. There are other jobs out there. I don't need that stupid diner anyway.
I walked down the dock, carrying my flowers in my hand. The only bright spot of my day. I shouted a friendly hello as I moseyed past Jim and Brian on the dock and then made my way onto Frozen Love, tossing my keys down and sitting the flowers on the kitchen table.
The boat was empty and a little bit of a mess from Lindsey's day with Lane. I wasn't too surprised though. Lindsey had never been the most tidy guy in the world and it was damn near impossible to keep a clean house with a toddler. I had seen Lindsey's car when I pulled in, so I knew the boys couldn't be far. I had barely kicked off my shoes when Lindsey came in, holding a sleeping Lane who was clearly exhausted from swimming. Both of them were sopping wet, dripping all over. He was so happy though, and looked so good holding our son, that I couldn't be mad about the mess.
"Hey Mama," Lindsey grinned, coming over to give me a kiss hello. "How was your day?"
"Better now," I told him honestly. "Got a special delivery today," I joked, wrapping my arms around him. "Thank you," I whispered, placing my head on his bare chest as I brushed Lane's damp curls from his forehead. "You have no idea how much I needed them."
I took Lane from him to get him out of his wet swimsuit and Lindsey jumped into the shower. I wandered into my bedroom to change clothes and Lindsey followed me, wrapped in a towel. As I slipped out of my uniform I felt him pull me closer.
"I missed you today," he whispered, kissing my bare shoulder before moving over and unzipping the large duffel sitting on my bed. I watched closely as he pulled out a clean shirt and threw it on. "What do you want to do for dinner tonight," he asked.
"Oh, um, I have to clean the marina office so I'll just take Lane over to MaryAnn's and you can head home."
He shifted somewhat uncomfortably, awkwardly scratching his head. "Oh, uh, I grabbed a few things from my place this afternoon," he motioned towards the duffel. "I figured I'd just crash here. You clean the marina?"
It was a bold presumption but I didn't want to dwell on it. "Yeah, I clean the marina offices at night in exchange for payment for dockage."
"You know how I feel about that. About you working so much. But I'll keep Lane while you're busy and order in for dinner. When will you be back?"
I stared blankly at him. He was just making himself quite at home here and it was making me somewhat uncomfortable. It was just so fast. He was being rather presumptuous.
"I'm usually done around 7, but seriously Lindsey you don't need to wait around."
He continued like he hadn't heard me. "I'll keep Lane. We can talk after you get back- get him to bed and figure out some logistics."
