Filming Flashbacks

Chapter 7: Picking a Path

JAMIE POV

I've been in a drunken fog for three days and it's time to start picking up the pieces of my life. The first order of business is to try to establish contact with Dakota. I know she isn't likely to answer if I call, hence I opt for a text.

"I can't imagine what you must be feeling, but we need to talk. Let me know when you are ready."

To my surprise, her response was fairly immediate. "We will remain friends and co-workers, but there really isn't anything else that needs to be said."

It's no surprise to me that her walls are firmly up, but I can't just let her walk away. "I respectfully disagree. I have much to say that you need to hear. I will be in touch once I get my act together. I love you."

There is no response, not that I expected one. She's in full retreat and it's going to be a rough road to get her to ever listen to anything I have to say. And honestly, I'm not exactly sure what I can say at this point. I need to get my shit together and figure out what the hell I'm going to do, so I go to the one place where I can do that – to Belfast, to see my Dad.

*****

My flight arrived early afternoon and I rented a car to head to my Dad's. He's a busy guy, therefore I was surprised when the front door swung open while I was hunting for my key. He pulled me in and gave me a big bear hug, "I'm glad to see you, son!"

That's all it took. I dropped my bag, hugged him back and did something I haven't done since my Mom died. I held him tight and sobbed in his arms. He gripped me harder and patted my back, "Let it out. Let it out. I don't know what this about, but we'll figure it out and get through it. Let it go, son. Let it go. You're not alone. I'm here and I'll help you – whatever it is – I'm on your side. You know that. That's why you're here. When you're ready, you tell me, and we'll figure it out. I promise you, whatever it is, we can work it out."

When my tears finally subside, he pats my face with a loving slap to both cheeks. "Go wash your face, son, and I'll grab us some drinks. Meet me on the deck."

Ten minutes later, I find him on the deck with a bottle of Jameson and two glasses. He's got the first one poured and he hands it to me as I sit down across the table from him. "To the light at the end of the tunnel. We're gonna find it before you leave this table. Cheers!"

We down our drinks and he quickly pours us another and sits back and crosses his ankles. He rests his arms crossed across his stomach as he simply watches and waits for me to speak. I down my second drink and pour a third and lean forward with my head in my hands.

"I filed for divorce, Dad."

He sighs, "Well, that's sad, Jamie, but it's not the end of the world. And if I'm being honest, it's not entirely a surprise. You two haven't seemed in synch for a while now."

"And she just found out she is pregnant again."

He downed his second drink and poured his third. "Forgive me for asking, but, yours?"

"I think so."

"Well, that certainly complicates things. How do you feel about having another baby?"

My hands scrub my head in an effort to calm my racing brain. "This child was not conceived in love, but it's an innocent life, and I can't and won't turn my back on it. Amelia put a stop to the divorce proceedings the minute she found out she was pregnant."

"So you're going to make a go of it?"

I shake my head. "I don't know how, Dad. Things haven't been right for a long while. I really did try – we went to counseling."