Honey

He deserves an Oscar.

I was 20 minutes late to my interview but apparently the owner wasn't around so I spoke with a lovely older woman who conducted my interview instead. 

Apparently no one in this town was capable of answering phones or handling any type of accounts at this place. So I was given the job as soon as I said I was an office manager at my last job. 

Well today was not such a bad day after all. I receive an introduction packet and filled out banking details, It felt weird starting again but I don't regret it. Not one bit.

I arrived at my parents house and was greeted by an over excited Lex who had chewed my ear off about her day with grandma. 

Mum asked us to stay for tea but I declined, I'm tired as hell and after the day I've had I need a long bath and a book. I made Lex and I dinner and ran her a bath right before sending her off to bed with a princess story.

At last I find myself reclined in my nice warm bath, eyes closed and my fingers aimlessly dancing over the surface of the water.

My thoughts lead me to Hunter, wondering how things ever got to the point they did. I mean I  know I didn't do anything wrong but I feel like you cant but feel like there might've been something you could've done or changed to stop this from happening.

I'm not worried about what he's doing because I can almost guarantee I know what he's up to. Apart from work, he'd be out with his friends, drinking himself stupid and telling everyone how I took his child away from him. 

I scoff at the thought, if only those idiots knew exactly what he was like, well I mean they could already know but not care. I shouldn't care but I do. I gave everything I had to him and making us a family but clearly it wasn't enough or maybe it was too much? Maybe he couldn't handle it after a while?

I was brought out of my thoughts by my phone chiming. 

Hunter

Speak of the devil and he shall appear. Do I answer? Should I just text him? My conscious got the better of me and answered the phone.

"Hello?"

"Cara? Where the hell are you? I've been ringing and messaging non-stop! you leave a cryptic text and leave me to wonder for a week?" He sounded... Hurt? Not sure why he'd feel that but this is Hunter we're talking about, the king of facades. 

"Hunter you know why we left. I'm not your personal punching bag available to you whenever you get mad or need to release some anger," I suck in a breath at the memories but I push on, "I'm done with this shit, Alexandra doesn't need to be around this, god forbid she ever saw it, I would never forgive myself. It's not on and I will not be coming back and neither will Lex." 

A few seconds of silence before I hear banging and crashing over the phone, I wince. 

"You can't do this Cara, she's my fucking daughter. She'll ask where I am! Just come back, we can talk it out and fix this. Please?" He deserves an Oscar for this act honest to god, amazing.

"No, I refuse to argue about this. We can organise to have you and Lex spend some time together but not right now. My parents know what happened and will more than likely help me grab the rest of my stuff. If you choose to be there or not than that's your choice, I'd prefer the latter."

He's deathly silent, this is the shit that use to be a sign he was about to send his hand flying in my direction. But of course, that wont happen. I feel like that what I've said is sufficient and easy enough to understand, this conversation is over.

"Goodbye Hunter."

"Fuck you Cara!" and he hangs up.

Ah, so pleasant to speak with. My bath is ruined so I may as well head to bed, this conversation alone has drained me. I change into my pyjamas and jump into bed. I grab my phone to check for a reply from John, I get excited at the thought of making a friend, although I'm still not sure what this dinner means but I'll take friendship. 

John: Just the answer I was hoping for :) Friday 7 o'clock? I'll pick you up. Don't bother sending your address, I know where you live ;) x

I stifled a laugh behind my hand. I can't wipe the stupid smile off my face, I need funny. I get comfortable in bed and plan out a reply.

Me: Friday is fine, wait you know where I live? :0 

Act dumb? That's all you could come up with? I mean what else am I supposed to say? I don't want to sound cold and unsociable. So instead of being warm and friendly, I play dumb. 

John: Yes I do. Can't tell you how I know, it's a secret. x

Well he's going along with it, that's good right? 

Me: I'm great at keeping secrets!

John: I don't doubt that... I don't mean to pry or come across as intrusive but can I ask you something? x

Uh-oh, Generally when someone says 'I don't mean to pry' or 'I don't wanna seem intrusive' they are either gonna do one or both of those things. I mean I don't normally mind sharing, but I feel like I know what he's gonna ask and I don't feel like this is something you tell someone over text, right?

Me: Depends, What do you wanna ask?

I watch John's chat bubble dance with 3 dots every few seconds, stopping and starting, probably trying to find the most delicate way to ask someone why they had a bruised up face when you met them.

John: Where's Alexandra's Dad? x

Oh, wasn't expecting that.. 

Me: Out of the picture.

John: Sucks to be him then. x

I'm smiling and I can feel a blush crawl up my cheeks.

Me: Certainly does. Goodnight John :)

I put my phone down, snuggle up into the covers and switch off my lamp. I hear John next door letting Buddy out and hushing him when he starts to bark playfully. I smile knowing how much that dog loves Lex and how much she loves that dog. 

As I roll over and get comfy, my phone buzzes. I pick it up and my eyes squint at the ball of light, my stomach does a weird flutter when I read the message. 

John: Sleep well beautiful. x