Winter Season

Everything I do is wrong

Oscar was going through the motions of getting ready for bed but Esther wasn’t sure that he knew they were really happening.

The doorbell rang.

“Do you want me to get that?” Esther asked him.

“Sure.” Did he say it or did he dream that he said it? He must have said it because she was answering the door to Chet? Why had he came back. They were talking. What were they saying?

They all sat in the living room as Oscar gave Chet his phone.

“I can’t listen to or read these. I don’t want to know what they say, but if there’s anything on there that you need to know; do with it what you will.”

Chet accepted his phone and went to his SUV.

“God, why does it feel like everything I do is wrong?” Oscar let out a long breath.

“No child should ever be put in the situation that you have been put in.”

He put his hand on her thigh, “are you going to stay tonight?”

“Do you want me too?”

“Please.”

She smiled, “as you wish.”

He leaned over and gave her a kiss. “Thank you for everything.”

“You are most welcome kind sir,” she smiled.

Chet came back, “I have said it once before my friend and I will say it again. Your mother is a piece of work.” He handed the phone back to Oscar. “I got everything off that I needed and cleaned it for you.”

“Thanks.” Oscar looked so sad.

“Is Doris, Doris Langford?”

“Yes. In all mothers’ wonderful wisdom, she wants me to marry Doris.”

Chet’s eyes got huge. “As your best friend, you stay the hell away from that woman.”

“No worries from me.”

Esther really didn’t know how it felt. As parents, her grandparents were amazing. Their marriage was strong. Their faith was rock solid. Their children, with the exception of her dad, were all stellar. Not that there was anything wrong with her dad that his parents ever commented on. She just remembered her dad as always being sad. Kinda like the expression Oscar wore right now. She couldn’t imagine fighting with any of them.

“Esther,” Chet broke the silence. “Are you going to stay over here tonight?”

“We’ve talked about it.”

“Please do.” Chet smiled. “Oscar have you eaten today?”

“Who can eat?” He gagged.

“At least eat breakfast in the morning.” He winked at Esther and mouthed – feed him.

She winked back.

Winter Season