Growing Old With You (Part of Those Three Little Words threequel)

Part 2

16th December 1997
Jim's POV
"Pap, are you alright?" I asked and he looked over at me with tears running down his cheeks so I pulled him into a hug and grabbed some tissues, "what? Is it Dad?" I asked and he started sobbing. Of course it was Dad. I rubbed his shoulder and waited for him to stop then handed him a tissue, "you okay now, Pap?" I asked and he nodded, wiping his eyes and sighing.

"Yeah, I'm alright... sorry, I don't-I don't know what got into me" he tried laughing it off but it just came out as a hiccup. "What started all this then? Were you thinking about him?" I asked and he shook his head and pointed at a picture up on the fireplace of the two of them on their wedding day, "oh... I'll turn it for you" I got up and picked up the photo, looking at Dad being so happy and Pap under his arm looking like he could take on the world.

Why did he have to leave and fuck everything up?

I put the picture face-down on the fireplace and pushed down the little stand then looked back at Pap, "okay?" I asked and he nodded, "it's better, thank you" he smiled falsely then buried his head back in his book. He looked so sad, I'd never seen him this upset before and it was worrying me because it seemed like he could never cheer up, he didn't smile or laugh unless it was forced and his face just looked sad all the time.

"Can I use the phone?" I asked and he looked up at me and frowned a little, "what for?" He asked quietly and I had to think of something quick, "uh, to phone Jess. Ask her what she's doing today" I said and he sighed, "go phone Brian, I know you want to talk to him" he watched me as I walked past him to the phone then turned around, "and please don't bullshit me again, if you want to talk to him, just tell me"

I just nodded and went out, picking up the house phone and dialling Dad's mobile number. He picked it up after a few rings, "hi, Brian speaking, who's this?"

"Hi Dad... uh, it's Jim" I said and heard a noise like a sigh from his end.

"Has Roger sent you to complain at me?" He asked and I shook my head then realised he couldn't see me.

"No, I've come to ask you something" I said and heard a hum so I just carried on, "could I meet you somewhere? The cafe maybe?"

"Course. Are you going out anywhere now?"

"No, I'll see you at the cafe as soon as possible, I'll get the table" I put the phone down before he could protest and grabbed my coat and shoes, "I'm meeting Dad at the cafe, that alright?" I asked and he nodded, wafting his hand about, "you do what you like, just don't get me involved in it"

"Alright, see you in a bit" I flashed him a smile before leaving the house and walking for what felt like an hour but was only fifteen minutes to the cafe. I got a table right near the back and ordered two cups of coffee and kept my eyes glued to the doors to see when he walked in. He was dressed rather strangely, with this long trench-coat and what looked like three jumpers on top of one another and a bobble hat.

'He never wears bobble hats, he hates them. Is this what that new Anita's made him wear? I hope not, he looks like a right pillock' I thought as he spotted me and came to sit down with me, "hiya Jim, you alright?" He asked and I shrugged, "dunno, I got coffee for you" I said quickly and he seemed a bit shocked at how I was speaking.

"No biscuits or anything?" He asked and I pointed at the counter, "they're right there, go get 'em if you want one" I said and he sighed, "what the hell has gotten into you? You're being so rude all of a sudden" he started to raise his voice so I thought to tone down the attitude just a little, still making it obvious that I was still annoyed at him.

"Such bloody high expectations you've got now... Anyway, I wanted to say something and please don't interrupt me, you can talk once I'm finished" I said so he sat back in his chair and folded his hands in his lap, "go on then, I'm listening"