Mack Daddy(37)
“He was your teacher?”
“No. But we met there. I didn’t know he was a professor, at first.”
“How long after I left Boston did you start dating him?”
“A while after. We’ve been together two years now.”
“Were you with anyone before him?”
“I dated here and there, but Vic was the first serious relationship. I had a hard time connecting with anyone for a long time after you left.”
That was hard to hear. But it didn’t surprise me. I knew she cared deeply about me, and to this day, our chemistry was like nothing I had ever experienced. While it satisfied me somewhat to know she’d felt that way, it also hurt to hear that it took her a while to move on after my leaving. I never expected otherwise, though.
“What was different about him?”
“Everything. He respects me, appreciates all of my quirks—kind of like you did. And he takes care of me, makes me feel safe. I’ve never had anyone take care of me before. I’d always had to take care of myself. It was a nice change.”
“I promise I won’t joke about the daddy complex.”
“Look, you’re not totally wrong there. He’s been able to fill a void for sure. But I don’t like to think of it that way.”
I really didn’t want to envision him filling any of her voids.
“Does he want to marry you? I mean, he’s getting up there.”
“He says he wants spend the rest of his life with me, but he doesn’t place a lot of value in the institution of marriage. He says he’d do it if I wanted it. Same with kids. But he doesn’t need them to be happy, either. I know he enjoys his freedom.”
“Was he ever married before?”
“No.”
“Do you want to get married?”
“Right now? No.”
“Are you still sexually attracted to him?”
“My God, Mack, this is like the third degree. Why do you want to know that?”
I was done beating around the bush.
“I need to know where any points of weakness are.”
“Because you plan to try to steal me from him?”
“If you’re meant to be with him, I won’t be able to do that no matter how hard I try.”
“But you do plan to try.”
I plan to try like fucking hell.
“I know I might be too late. I’m not stupid. But I would never forgive myself if I didn’t at least try.”
“What exactly do you plan to try?”
“I won’t be in Boston forever. I don’t suspect that Torrie’s job here will last. It’s just a contract position. And I have to go wherever Jonah is. So, this is a window of opportunity that I can’t waste. You asked what I plan to try? Everything. Every goddamn thing, Frankie—until you tell me to stop. Until you look me in the eyes and tell me there’s no point in continuing.”
“You have to go where your son is. I get that. Your hands are tied. I can imagine that the past several years have not been easy for you.”
“They haven’t. But my biggest regret is hurting you. I don’t regret my son. I may not know what I’m doing all of the time, but that boy means the world to me.”
“I know he does.”
“I used to think staying with his mother was the best thing I could do for him. I was wrong. Having two parents who are constantly fighting was never gonna make his life better. I’ve finally realized that if I’m not happy, I can’t truly be the kind of father my son deserves. He can see right through me.”
“He keeps to himself, but he’s very aware.”
“You talked to him about your father.”
“He told you that?”
“Yeah.”
“I did. We had a lesson about diverse families. He’d drawn a picture of you, Torrie, and him with thick lines separating each of you.”
Wow. That broke my heart.
“No shit, huh?”
“Yes. I wanted him to know that many people have different family structures and that it’s okay. That was why I shared that piece of info with him.”
“Thank you for doing that. I know it’s not easy for you to talk about it.”
“He asked me if I forgave my dad...for abandoning me.”
“Really?”
“I thought that was a good question and answered him honestly. I told him I wasn’t sure, but that I would get back to him on it. He seemed to accept that.” She gazed out toward the water then back at me. “Are things better with him at home?”
“I think we’re slowly getting to a better place. This was a good weekend.”
“I’m glad to hear that. What about your father? How’s your relationship with him now?”