“I’m coming with you,” I blurt out as I run towards the stairs.
“Jimmy?”
“Be right back, dad, I just have to get my case; it’s already packed.” I run up the stairs and push the door open. I run to my bed, fall to my knees and pull out my suitcase. I won’t miss anything in my room. My dad can buy me new things when we get to Grandpa’s.
When I go back downstairs there’s a girl sitting on my dad’s lap. She wasn’t there earlier, but I already know I don’t like her. She’s kissing his neck like I’ve seen Rebecca do to Peter’s older brother. Peter said his brother likes it and that it means the girl is ready to get busy. But I don’t know why she’s kissing my dad. Only my mum should be doing that. I don’t like this girl at all.
“I’m ready,” I say loudly. The girl turns and looks at me, but she doesn’t smile. She rolls her eyes and gets off my dad’s lap. If you ask me, she’s a little too big to be sitting there anyway. Even I don’t do that anymore.
“You said it would just be us,” the girl says. My dad moves her to one side and I see him touch her bum. I look at my dad with confusion. He closes his eyes and when he looks at me, he beckons me towards him.
“Jimmy, you can’t come with me.”
“Why not?” I won’t cry because I’m a tough boy.
“Because I need to get my place set up and get back into the studio. I can’t do that with you hanging around. I keep late nights and that’s not a good lifestyle for a little boy.”
“I’m not little.”
“Jimmy, come on bud. You need to stay with your mom and help her out.”
“NO! She’s making you leave. I’m coming with you.”
My dad stands and puts his hand on my shoulder. The girl comes up behind my dad and grabs his hand.
“Don’t touch my dad,” I say, pushing her hand away. I push her until she’s no longer standing next to us. “Tell her to go away.”
“I can’t.”
“Why not? You love mum, not her.”
“Jimmy, listen. I love your mom, but I love Tiffany, too. I’m going to marry Tiffany as soon as the divorce is final.”
“You can’t, dad. You love mum.”
“James, we’re going to miss the flight.”
My dad nods, as he listens to her. I hate her. My dad ruffles my hair. “See ya around. Be good to your mom.”
As soon as the door shuts I start banging on it, shouting for my dad. “Come back,” I say over and over again. I’m trying not to cry, but I can’t help it. I want my dad.
My mum pulls me into her arms. She holds me while I cry against the door. She doesn’t say anything. She doesn’t have to.
I pull my wife into my arms and look in to her eyes. From this moment onwards I’m going to be better. I never want to hear the word divorce come out of her mouth again. I link my hand with hers and pull her to the middle of the dance floor. I don’t know what song is playing, but from here on it will be ours. My arm moves around her waist and I pull her closer to me, holding our linked hands to our chests. We sway back and forth, dancing in front of our friends and family as husband and wife.
“I know I made you cry.”
Jenna shakes her head.
“I did, I know I did. I’m stupid. I’m a stupid guy who has made a life changing decision and I plan to follow through with everything I said on our wedding day. I promised you then and I promise you now, I’ll cherish you, I’ll protect you and I’ll be only yours. The only thing that can separate us is death and we’re going to live until we’re old and grey and our great-great grandchildren have to come and visit us in a nursing home.”
Jenna nods as I wipe away a tear. “You say the sweetest things.”
“You bring out the best in me, Sweet Lips. I just need you to be patient with me. I’m going to fuck up, but you have my permission to kick my arse when I do.”
“Okay.”
“Yeah, okay,” I say, kissing her. “Come on, I want to take you home and ravage your body. I’ve missed you.”