Chapter Two

“William, that was some party you put together for Billy the other night. I haven’t seen so many young people under one roof since that boy graduated.”

“Yeah, well, I wanted to do something special for my son for his twenty-first birthday.”

“And you don’t think a fifteen-thousand-dollar bike was special enough?”

“Epatha, that’s enough . . .”

“No Ronnie, he needs to hear this.”

William is having brunch with his brother, Ronald, and his brother’s opinionated, bigmouth wife, Epatha. They are an attractive, middle-aged couple – a freakishly close resemblance to the Harrington’s from The Haves and the Have Nots.

“Epatha, it’s none of our business.”

“It’s okay Ron, let her speak her peace. Clearly her thoughts aren’t going to change anything, but it’s always good to hear an opinion from someone who shouldn’t have an opinion on the way I spend my money on my son for his birthday.”

Epatha put down her glass of clamato juice before taking a sip as if William caught her off guard with his sarcasm. “Oh William, please. Chile, save that kind of talk for Billy because you know it doesn’t faze me. Honey, I’m going to always have an opinion.”

“But, do you have to always speak your opinion is what I’m wondering,” asked William.

“I sure do. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Just like that Wendy Williams, honey I say it like I mean it.”

The couple tried for many years, but Epatha and Ronnie didn’t have any children of their own. They didn’t stop trying until Epatha had a hysterectomy last winter. Even after a specialist told them they had less than a ten-percent chance of carrying a baby to term because of Epatha’s hormonal disorder, they still didn’t give up. They dreamed of having a son of their own, but, when their dreams derailed, helping to raise Billy was a welcoming responsibility they both accepted.

Even with the enormous support from his brother and sister-in-law, William and Epatha didn’t always see eye-to-eye when it came to Billy. Epatha felt William spoiled his son. She also made it known that she didn’t think William should have given up his life for Billy. She felt he could’ve still been a good father even after taking a new wife, but her views were completely ignored since William never listened. He dedicated himself to Billy, and his sister-in-law couldn’t change that.

Epatha looked across the table at William. “So, Will, Billy is twenty-one now. He’s all grown up, probably thinking about a family of his own.”

“Epatha, what are you getting at?” William asked before putting a fork full of scrambled eggs into his mouth.

“What I’m getting at is, you said when Billy turned twenty-one you would start to look for a wife.”

William chortled when he threw up his hands and shook his palms toward the ceiling. “Whoa, where is this coming from all of a sudden?”

“Will, you know it’s time. Hell, we all know it’s time. I want to see you happy.”

“Who says I’m not happy?”

Ronnie jumped to his brother’s defense. “Epatha, let’s not do this today, okay? I’m sure when and if William is ready for a companion, he’ll make that move without you hounding him. It’s all in his time. Let the man breathe.”

“Oh Ronnie, you take everything to the next level. I wasn’t suggesting he goes out tonight and find a wife; I was merely reminding him it’s time he—”

“I’ve been seeing someone.” William jumped in.

Epatha and Ronnie stopped their word-match long enough to look over at William who was still working on the plate in front of him.

William’s words were casual. His demeanor was relaxed. He took a sip of juice, wiped his mouth with the cloth napkin from his lap before feeding himself a piece of wheat toast. His confident, cool behavior made the distinguished gentleman even more . . . well, distinguished.

Epatha came back with, “Did you say you’ve been seeing someone?”

William answered, “Yes I did.”

“How old is she?” That was Ronnie.

“When were you going to tell us?” Epatha.

“Does Billy know?”

“Is she pretty?”

“Does she have any kids?”

“Has she ever been married?”

“Is she married?”

“Does she want to get married?”

“How long have you been seeing her?”

“Where did you meet her?”

“What does she do for a living?”

“Does she have good credit?”

“How old is she?” Ronnie came back to his original question.

William continued with his meal. He didn’t let his brother or Epatha’s mountain of questions throw him off. Instead, he simply said, “Her name is Jennifer.”

Epatha and Ronnie both appeared on the edge of their seats as they waited for more.

“That’s it? ‘Her name is Jennifer?’ What’s her last name? Where is she from?”

Ronnie asked a third time, “How old is she?”

“Epatha, you and Ronnie will both meet her in due time, and Ronnie don’t worry, she’s not a grandma. Actually . . . she’s quite the opposite.” They both watched as William spoke of his new lady.

“Well Will, how about we make tonight due time? I’ll cook. Eight o’clock. Bring the wine.”

William wiped his mouth for the final time before putting his napkin into the empty plate sitting in front of him. “Epatha, I’m not bringing her over tonight.”

“Why not?”

“Because I want to talk to Billy first. I don’t want to get Jennifer’s hopes up by letting her meet my family only to have her crushed if things can’t work out.”

“Can’t work out? William, are you listening to yourself? Billy is a grown-man. It would be great if he liked your new lady friend and the idea of his dad having someone special in his life, but even if he doesn’t, you shouldn’t let that stop you. William, it’s time you took your life back. You’ve raised your son. Now it’s time for you.”

William stood up and reached for his wallet. “There you go again, Epatha with your goddamn opinions. You just never quit, do you?”

William placed three twenty-dollar bills on the table. He said, “Ronnie, I’ll see you on the green at three o’clock,” right before he excused himself and headed for the exit door.

****

Five minutes till three, William was cruising down O’Malley Road to meet his brother for golf. He knew he would be rushed with questions about Jennifer – per his sister-in-law’s request – but he’ll discharge all inquiries. His family will meet the new woman in his life soon enough if it’s meant to be.

William thought about his son as he drove. He didn’t know how he would tell Billy he’s been seeing someone. He could blurt it out the same as he’d done with his brother and Epatha, or he could try a different approach like taking his son to his country club for a nice Sunday dinner. He could order all of Billy’s favorites, a bottle of the club’s best wine, and anything else that could prolong a father trying to tell his son what’s on his mind.

William thought dinner at the club would be perfect! He even reached for his cell to phone Moose Run to make reservations, but he decided against it. He didn’t want to wait until tomorrow night after dinner was served at some impersonal country club. William had to get what was on his chest out now.

Instead of calling for dinner reservations, William dialed his son’s number. He turned the volume down on the radio as he waited for an answer.

He hoped Billy would pick up before he lost his nerve.

When Billy answered on the second ring, he sounded out of breath. “Hey . . . What’s up, Dad?”

“Hey son, what are you up to?”

“I just finished working out. What are you doing? And Dad, don’t say you’re working; it’s a nice Saturday afternoon.”

“No, no, son I’m not working.” William kept himself collected as he spoke. “I’m meeting your uncle for golf here shortly, but there is something I want to talk to you about first.”

Billy hurried into the locker room. He sat on a bench across from the steam bath as the gravity in his father’s voice startled him. “Dad, is everything okay?”

“Son, everything is fine.” William pulled into the first parking spot he came to at the golf course. “I was going to wait to mention this, but I didn’t want your aunt or uncle to beat me to it.”

“Dad, please tell me your cancer isn’t back.” Billy’s stomach dropped.

“Billy, no. God no, I’m fine.”

“Okay, that’s a relief.” Billy paused for a second. “So, what are you worried Unc or Auntie will tell me before you have a chance to?”

“Billy, son, you know you’ve always heard me say that I wouldn’t take up with a woman until after you were a grown man. I didn’t trust anyone to raise my son except me.” Billy listened. “Well, you’re all grown up now son, so I’ve decided I would think about dating. I met a woman some time ago. Her name is Jennifer Payne. She’s single, no kids; she’s never been married, she’s independent and very pretty.”

William caused a break in his words to allow his son to speak even though he didn’t know what Billy would say or how he would react. Would he hang up on him? Would he throw a tantrum right there in the middle of the locker-room? Would Billy forbid his father to see this woman? William didn’t know what was coming next, so he waited. He wouldn’t interrupt. He would allow his son to speak without any...