The Perfect Family

Chapter 3: Jack

It's nearly three in the afternoon, and I have been sitting at my desk with writer's block. This always happens, I create a scenario with so much depth and emotion that when its complete, I can never find a way to move forward. I decide not to pressure myself too much and I take a small break.

"Harlow," I say as I page my assistant.

"Yes, Jack?" my assistant answers.

"Tell, Harrison I'll be back later, I'm just heading to the break room for a while", I say.

"Alright, no problem" Harlow responds.

"Thanks", I conclude.

As  I enter the break room, I grab a coffee and Michael calls me. 

"Hey, Mike. What's up?" I ask.

"Hang on a minute, Jack. Hunter, come here. We've gotta get you cleaned up, don't you feel gross?" Michael says.

"Ah, the age old bath time struggle. Good times" I humorously sigh.

"That's it, now go to mommy and I think she has your bath toys. Good boy" Michael says.

"Why did you call?" I ask.

"Oh, yeah that. I just wanted to see if you were up for a little raquet ball this weekend" Michael answers.

"Well, I'd have to check how things are at home. But I'll give it some thought" I respond.

"Alright. Let me know" Michael replies.

"Okay, see ya" I respond, then hang up.

At 4:00pm, I still have nothing new for my book, so I call Emilie just to see how everything is.

"Jack?" Emilie answers.

"Hey, honey. How are things?" I ask as I hear Kyson crying in the background.

"We're okay. Riley's here helping with the kids. What about you?"

"Well, I think I might be heading home early. I'm completely clueless as to how I should continue the book" I answer.

I'm currently working on a fantasy fiction novel called Incomplete Fate. It tells the story of Ryland Phoenix, an 18 year old boy who has blamed himself for his mother's death, sets on a mission to alter the past to ensure that it never happens. But he soon discovers that altering the past also affects the outcomes of the future and that everything happens for a reason.

"Okay. Do you think you'll make it here in time for Maddox's speech therapy appointment?" Emilie asks.

"Depends on the traffic. But I could try", I respond.

"Okay, see you soon then. Drive safe" Emilie says.

"Bye", I conclude, then hang up.

As I exit the break room, my editor Sean Harrison approaches.

"Hey, giant slayer. What have you got for me today?" he says as he playfully punches my shoulder.

"Just a couple pages, which should make both our lives a little easier. I've just got major writer's block and I think I'm calling it a day" I answer.

"Alright. See ya. Wait, what decade am I visiting today?" Sean asks.

"The 80s"  I reply as I rub  away the eye bugs from the corner of my right eye, yawn and pack up some of my stuff.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At 3:10pm, I arrive home to find my children so well behaved, their aunt watching over them as they enjoy a small snack which consists of an assortment of fruit, and their mother quite exhausted.