Struggles of a Single Father (Book 1 of the Struggle Puff Series)

Chapter 6

Edited - 2/07/2020

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

"And when will I be introduced to this gorgeous woman and her son?"

"I never said she was gorgeous, and I've told you three times that it was her little brother." I rolled my eyes at my best friend, "I swear, you never listen."

Jake just shrugged his shoulders as he picked at his lunch plate, "All that matters is that she has experience with raising a kid. That alone should be a good reason to ask her out."

"No, what matters is that Tilisia has a friend. Besides, Amy is four years older than me. That would be weird."

"It's only weird if you make it weird, dude."

It was the day following Tilisia's play date with Ain, and I was regaling Jake with everything that took place during it. The only problem was that he was caught up on the fact that I met a girl.

"Honestly, Jake, I'm not looking for anyone. I have a kid that needs my attention. I can't afford to miss pivotal moments in her life because I was too caught up in some girl."

"And what are you going to do when she's a teenager and doesn't have time for you? I'll be too busy with my own wife to hang out with you and I doubt you'll make any more friends."

"First of all, it's bold of you to assume you'll ever find love. Second, why wouldn't I ever have more friends? Am I unapproachable?"

"Ehhhh, not necessarily unapproachable. Just... distracted."

I raised my eyebrow, not liking where this conversation was going, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Jake sighed heavily, "Dude, I adore Tilisia more than you, but having kids doesn't mean you're forbidden from having fun."

"Is going out with you not considered fun?"

"It is fun, but the only time we're alone is at school. You never go out alone unless it's school or work."

"I'm sorry that I have responsibilities." I said sarcastically, "You just don't understand what it's like."

"I don't understand it, but I'm telling you what I see. You don't leave any time for yourself and it's hard to watch." His shoulders were slumped, but they immediately perked up when he thought of something, "Do you know one of the top reasons why some marriages fail?"

"Huh?"

"Kids." He waited for a response, but got none, "You see, it's not directly the kids that cause the problems. It's the parents that end up wrapping their whole lives around their kids and forget about leaving time for their spouse. When the kids start going to school, the couple finds themselves uncomfortable and unfamiliar with each other, which leads to fights, misunderstandings, and divorce."

"I don't get why you're telling me this..."

"I'm telling you this because I'm seeing the same pattern with you. Except you're single and you're not even giving yourself a chance to meet anybody. I'm sure the last thing you want to do is have even the tiniest bit of resentment towards Tilisia because you don't have anyone to spend your life with."

"I would never resent her f-"

"You also said you wouldn't knock anyone up in your high school career and yet here we are talking about your daughter!"

Silence.

I knew he had a point, but I didn't believe I would ever feel the way he said I would. Of course, he was also right about me saying I wouldn't do things only to end up doing them.