Closer

The Only Thing That Works For Me

"Diana's coming over this weekend," Lawrence announced as he pulled on his jacket. "It might be nice if we could all spend some time together."

Adam understood the silent request. The doctor's daughter spent every weekend with them and for most of that time, Adam found ways to occupy himself. Sometimes he'd spend the day taking photographs; other times, he'd busy himself with the chores for the next week, spending the entire day washing clothes or shopping.

The photographer was about to give an excuse - it wasn't that he didn't like kids, he just didn't know how to interact with them - when Lawrence piped up again.

"She's been asking about you."

"Why would she ask about me?" Adam asked, genuinely curious.

"You don't spend much time with us when she's here. To her, you're just some other man living in my house. She knows practically nothing about you, Adam."

That had Adam feeling the slightest bit guilty. As awkward as he was around children, he should still be making more of an effort; Diana wasn't just some kid, she was Adam's /boyfriend's/ child.

"Alright," Adam relented. "I'll think up something we can do."

"Thank you, Adam," Lawrence said with a smile before placing a kiss to the other's cheek. Turning the knob to leave the apartment, he quickly added, "Oh, Alison will be by to drop her off at two. I already let her know that you'll be here."

"Wait a minute," Adam began but the doctor had already hurried out the door, on his way to work; Adam wasn't sure how he managed to move so quickly with a briefcase in one hand and his cane in the other.

Adam hated to be put on the spot like that but he knew there wasn't a thing he could do about it. Rather than complain, the photographer decided to figure out something the three of them could do together once Lawrence got home. He knew the first several hours would be awkward without his boyfriend there but surely he could handle a ten year old girl.

By the time Alison knocked on the apartment door, Adam had an idea of what they could do together. Opening the door, the man was immediately greeted with a scowling woman. Adam already knew that Alison didn't like him - if the situation had been reversed, he was sure he would have disliked Alison just as much - but he still sucked it up and put on a counterfeit smile.

"Hey, Alison."

"Hello, Adam."

"How are you?"

"I'm fine."

Though Lawrence had told Adam that he had already informed his ex-wife that he would not be home when she arrived, Alison still looked around the living space as if searching for him.

"Lawrence isn't home," Adam said as if she hadn't already known.

"I see that," she snarkily replied before glancing between the man in the doorway and her daughter. "Perhaps I should wait until he gets back."

The two had met several times before but the woman was still cautious (as well as resentful) of Adam. Before Adam could think of a level-headed response, Diana was gently tugging on the hand that held her own.

"Momma, it's fine. Adam's nice."

Both adults looked startled at that but Adam quickly recovered, trying his hardest to repress the smug look that threatened to appear.

Alison stared hard at Adam, looking him up and down before begrudgingly giving in.

As Diana let go of her mother's hand and stepped into the apartment, Alison called, "You know my phone number, right?"