Red Side of the Moon

XV

"Hi, daddy!" Luna giggled.
"Hey, pumpkin!" Phil waved over the video call. "How's my favorite girl doing?"
"Good!"
"That's great. Where's dad?"
"I'm here," I mumbled. I was sitting on the opposite side of the table. I had no desire to talk to or even look at him.
"Hi, Dan..."
"So, daddy, when are you coming back?" Luna asked.
"Not for a while, honey. Daddy's show is opening next weekend."
"What's the show?"
"It's called..." He trailed off. "Cute Boots."
"What's it about?"
"Well, I'd actually like it if you guys could come to America to watch it..."
"No," I quickly said.
"And why not, Daniel?"
"Because, Philip, I have a job where it is nearly impossible to get days off. I could potentially get fired for leaving for a week so last minute."
"Anyone's mind can be changed."
"Whatever, we're not going."
"I'll make some phone calls. My opening night is next Friday. It would mean the world to me if you guys came."
"I'm not making any promises. Luna, say goodnight. You have to go to bed."
"Okay. Night, daddy!"
"Goodnight, sweetheart. Sleep well. I love you."
"I love you too!"
"Come on," I said as I picked her up.

I tucked her in and quickly sang her to sleep like Phil and I use to. Once she was down for the night, I walked back to the dining room to find that Phil still hadn't hung up.

"Bye, Phil."
"Wait," he said.
"What?"
"Just sit down, please. We don't have to talk. I just miss looking at your pretty face."
"Then you shouldn't have left. Night."

I hung up and slammed the laptop lid shut. I plugged it in to charge for the night before heading to bed. Thankfully the next morning, since I had to go to work early, Mum met me at the flat to get Luna off to school. When I go to work, the charge nurse pulled me aside and had a few words with me.

"So, Daniel, I was just informed that your husband recently called us."
"Regarding?" I rolled my eyes.
"He wanted to fly you and your daughter out to New York for a week."
"And I said that I wouldn't go."
"Daniel, you are long overdue for a vacation. There would be no repercussions if you left for the week."
"Wait, really?"
"Yes! You're so far ahead in your program that you'll still be plenty ahead even if you're gone for a little while."
"Oh, wow... okay then..."
"Let us know once you're able to get plane tickets and everything set up. That's when we'll count your first day off and you won't need to return until the following week. Does that sound fair?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Awesome. Get to work, hun."

***

"Luna, do you have everything?" I called.
"Yes, daddy."
"All your stuffed animals and coloring books?" She nodded. "Okay, come on."

I slung my backpack with everything we needed for the airport over my shoulder and reached for Luna's hand. We walked out the front door and were off to the airport.

When we arrived, we picked up our tickets, went through all the questioning nonsense, and was off for our flight. I kept Luna bouncing on my lap until our class was called. Phil's manager was nice enough to book us first class seats, mainly for my sake so I wouldn't be jammed up for the next eight or so hours.

When we arrived, there was already a car waiting for us. I made sure we had all of our luggage before helping Luna into her car seat. The driver took us to a hotel called The Waldorf Astoria—apparently it was pretty popular.

"Hi, check in for Howell. O-Or maybe Lester. I'm not sure which name my fiancé put it under."
"It's under Howell. Your room is on the top floor, your fiancé paid for your breakfast for your entire stay, and he also wanted me to give you these."

The concierge handed me an envelope with Howell written in the back of it. I set down a bag and ripped open the paper—it was two premium tickets to his show. I was tempted to throw them in the trash, but Luna snatched it from my hands.

"What're these?" she asked.
"Tickets. Grab your backpack and let's go."

I took the tickets back from her and grabbed her hand. I retrieved the key from the concierge and headed for the elevator. Once Luna and I made ourselves at home for the week, in our deluxe suite, I got a call from the hotels phone.

"Hello?" I answered.
"So you came, huh?" I could hear Phil's smirk
"Ugh, what do you want?"
"Just wondering where your seats are for tomorrow. So I know where to direct my waves during bows."
"I'm sure Luna won't let you miss her."
"What, dad?" Luna asked.
"Nothing. Wanna say hi to daddy?"
"Yes!" she cheered. I handed her the phone and sat back on my bed. "Hi, daddy!"
"Hi, princess! I can't wait to see you tomorrow. Where are you guys sitting?"
"I don't know. Dad, where are we sitting?"
"Balcony one, stage right," I sighed.
"Did you hear him, daddy?"
"I did, princess. I'll keep an eye out for you guys. So, what do you want to do tomorrow?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I want to take you out to breakfast, lunch, then maybe take you shopping. I'll do whatever you want to do, princess. As long as I'm back at the theater for five. Does that sound fair?"
"Yes, daddy," she nodded.
"Want me to stop by for eight o'clock tomorrow? So we get plenty of time together?"
"Yes!"
"Luna, it's time for bed. You've had a long day," I said. "Say goodbye to daddy."
"Bye, daddy!"
"Bye, princess. I'll see you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow. Here, dad."

She handed me the phone as she ran off to get changed into her pajamas. I had an internal battle over whether or not I should hang up the phone or talk to him. I eventually rolled my eyes and held the phone up to my ear.

"Where are you taking her tomorrow?"
"Breakfast then lunch. We're spending the day together."
"Alone?"
"Dan, I feel like you forget that she's mine too. We both have legal rights to her."
"Then why'd you fucking leave us?" I hissed.
"Why do you always bring that up?"
"I'm not fucking having this conversation over the phone. Goodnight."
"Night. I love–"

I hung up the phone before he got a chance to say another word. I laid back on the bed and did my best to hold back my tears.

Is this really what my life has come to?
What the fuck happened to us being so in love?
Do I even love him anymore?
I don't know...