“You're missing my initial point, Wyatt,” David said. “I realize that you're up against some challenges, but your own happiness matters, too. Do you think Maggie wants her dad to be sad all the time? I'm just saying, I think you need to try to get out more. Life is about balance. You work and you hide out in your house. That's all you do any more.”
So what? Wyatt thought. I love my job and I love my home. What's wrong with doing that? Seems to me like that's what most people's goals are, to be able to work and come back to a nice home. I think I'm living the dream.
“Yeah, well, you're single and don't have kids,” Wyatt said. “Trust me, things change pretty quick once kids are involved. Your priorities change. You can't just go out and party whenever you want to any more. To be honest, though, I'm not sure if I'd want to do that sort of thing regardless of if I had Maggie or not. I'm too old for that shit. I turn thirty-five in a couple of months. I'd be perfectly happy if I never had to experience another hangover again in my life.”
David chuckled. “Now that's something we can agree on. I'd love to never experience another hangover again. The only problem, is that I don't think I'm ready to give up on booze just to have that experience. Not yet anyway.”
“Maybe some day, huh?” Wyatt asked.
“Definitely some day,” David said. “For now, though, I'm having way too much fun.”
In some ways, Wyatt envied David's ability to stay carefree. It was as though David was still in college, just living for today with no sense or worry of tomorrow. On the other hand, though, that sort of lifestyle felt a little stagnant.
How long does someone really want to live like that? Wyatt asked himself. I guess as long as he's happy, he'll continue doing it.
“So, did you end up watching the game at home on Saturday then?” David asked. “Or have you at least read the paper? You know what happened, right?”
“Yeah, I know what happened,” Wyatt said. “I don't live under a rock. Lily, Maggie and I watched the game at home. The Raccoon's are headed to the playoffs.”
“Exactly.” David's eyes lit up. “That means that I'm going to have two very important tasks to take care of in the coming weeks. The first one, is getting my hands on some playoff tickets. That shouldn't be too difficult, since everybody has a price and I have enough money to pay that price, regardless of what it is. The second part, though, could be much harder.”
“What's the second part?” Wyatt asked.
“Getting you to come with,” David said, standing from his seat. “I'll figure out a way, though. Don't you worry about that. You know me. When I set my mind to something...”
He kept talking, but Wyatt managed to tune him out. His mind went back to home and he began thinking about Lily once again. He wondered what she and Maggie would be doing that day, once Maggie had finished her dance lessons. He was also curious what Lily was going to be making for dinner and if she'd remember to use a little less salt this time. In the very far reaches of his mind, there was something else he was thinking about, too. Part of him hoped he'd come home that evening and accidentally run into her again while she was wearing only panties.
“Hey, are you listening?” David asked, tapping on the desk.
Wyatt focused once more and nodded. “Yeah, yeah. I'm all ears.”
“I said, that when playoffs come around in a few weeks, I'm going to take you with me even if that means I have to hire some bodyguards to come and physically remove you from the house,” he said, and sounded surprisingly serious about it. “I mean it. You're coming.”
“We'll see,” Wyatt said. “I can't make any promises.”
David shrugged. “Alright, well I'll let you know when I have the tickets.”
“Sounds good.” Wyatt gathered some papers that were scattered on his desk. “Well, I should get to work. I've got a few loose ends to tie up before lunch.”
“I'll get out of
your hair,” David said. “I'll be around, though. I'll probably swing in later this week, if for no other reason than to check out Ms. Cindy, The Secretary, again. For now, though, I need to go to bed.”
“To bed? It's ten in the morning,” Wyatt replied.
“Yeah, and I've been up all night, too.” David turned to leave, then glanced over his shoulder. “Those party girls in their early twenties. I'm telling you, man. They're impossible to keep up with. It's like they can go for days and never sleep. Not that I'm complaining. Some things are worth staying awake for. Still, though, I've got to get some shut eye today or I might just die.”
Wyatt laughed and shook his head. “Go home and get your beauty rest, buddy. I'll catch up with you later.”
David left the office and shut the door, leaving Wyatt in peace.
That guy is a character, he thought, resting his chin onto his fists as he gazed at the paperwork on his desk. I suppose he has a point, though, as much as I hate to admit it. It would probably do me a little bit of good to get out more. Maybe, just maybe, I'll take him up on the offer to go to the Raccoon's game if he actually manages to get tickets. If Maggie doesn't want me to leave that night, though, then I'm not going. No way. She's my priority.
Wyatt's cell phone buzzed in his pocket and he pulled it out to see a text from Lily. His first thoughts went to the worst case scenario immediately. It was his fatherly instinct, telling him that something must be wrong. That maybe something had happened with Maggie. So he was relieved when he actually opened the text to see that Lily was simply asking him if there was anything in particular he'd like to have for dinner.
Her text read: I'm digging through the pantry and wondering what you'd like for dinner tonight. Maggie voted for macaroni and cheese, but I'm thinking you might like something besides that.
He smiled as he glanced over the text, then responded: I'm up for anything. Maybe chicken? I hear that goes well with mac and cheese.