We still have date two in the books. I’ve been scratching my head where to take her on our next date. She has Pilates with Jess tonight, otherwise I would have asked if she wanted to meet for a friendly coffee at this bookstore on Main Street that stays open late.
The last few weeks have been exhilarating yet calming. So crazy that it has been so many years since we last saw each other, yet we roll into conversation as if time has never passed. On one hand, I feel like I’m a teenager again when I’m around her. I fucking rocked my teenage years.
On the other hand, it’s different. We are two people partly changed by the years making us wiser and marriages that failed us. No way are we each anchoring in negative waters. We both took the last year to propel into a better life.
My phone rings and I see Jake is calling me. Jake wasn’t my divorce attorney as he practices corporate law, but I did have the guy read over what my actual lawyer did, and then when I felt this divorce finalization was taking way too long, I begged him for a favor.
Swiping the screen, I greet him.
“Good news, man,” I can hear him smiling on the other end.
“Oh yeah?” I lean against the wall with the phone to my ear.
“That drink we were going to have tonight at Matchbox can now be a celebration drink.”
Relief floods me, and I’m excited that he may have the news I have been waiting thirteen months for. “Please tell me it’s what I’m hoping for.”
“Yep. I just heard that it is all final. Your attorney should be getting the memo this afternoon. I asked them to speed up the delivery of the official letter,” Jake explains.
My hand forms a fist and congratulates myself. “This is great news. Oh man, I owe you.”
Hanging up, I immediately text Abby and tell her to stop by Matchbox with Jess after Pilates.
A part of me feels like a horrible human for wanting to celebrate the end of my marriage, but in truth this was just a practical formality. When we both signed the agreement almost ninety days ago, well, that was a hard day. A sad day, no decent human wants a marriage to end. But after that day, I just considered myself unmarried.
Putting my phone back into my pocket, I walk to the next exam room and grab the chart. Opening the door, I find Mr. Duffy.
“I heard we recruited the best,” Mr. Duffy grins as he sits on the exam table. The man is in his seventies, is sharp on features, and still drives the ladies wild.
“Of course. Now, I understand you were in a few weeks ago for blood work. Let’s have a look at those results today. Everything else okay?” I ask.
“Just the normal check-up on my diabetes. Hey, I heard you’re back on the market.”
Have to laugh to myself how the gossip mill flows amongst the older generation. “Have you been watching your sugar intake?” I begin to listen to his heart.
“My wife feeds me those disgusting fig cookies, so yes, watching the sugar,” he grumbles. “I have a daughter that might be interesting for you. A teacher.”
I give him a smile. “That’s okay. I’m taking a rest maybe.”
“Fine. But if you change your mind, let me know. Second wives are always the best ones.” The old man grins.
“Oh yeah? Is your missus wife number two?” I ask as I fit the blood pressure cuff over his arm.
“No, wife number three. My second wife passed after twenty years of marriage. First, second, third… it all becomes irrelevant. It’s more about the moment. Back in my day, you didn’t live together for fun. Kids these days can get away with it. Don’t get me wrong, wife number three is great, but we didn’t need the ring.” Old Man Duffy is too candid. I’m not sure his wife would be overly happy, but I find this entertaining.
Looking in his file, I answer, “Duly noted. Okay, well, your blood work looks good. Cholesterol is a little high. Let’s have you draw blood again in a month just to be safe,” I advise.
“I follow your advice, Doctor. But take some advice from me, young man. Go and enjoy life. Don’t be afraid to have some fun with the ladies. No need to be shy or scared.”
I can’t help but laugh at his unsolicited advice. “Well, Mr. Duffy, we’re not all as wild as you are.” I smile before heading out of the exam room.
My glass of whiskey clinks with other glasses over the table at Matchbox.
“To a new beginning?” Jake offers as a toast.
“To Lucas Kade, officially back on the market for all the ladies to faint over. I’m just happy for you, man. The last year has been, well… interesting,” Nate admits.
“Thanks, guys. It’s a relief for sure and never thought I would be having a toast over the death of my marriage. But hey, what’s life without a few bumps?” I admit, and we all drink our whiskey.
Admittedly, we all down a bit more than planned in one go.
“Fuck, this stuff just tastes better with every sip,” Nate mentions as he holds the glass up to look at the liquid.
“Pour me another round,” I request and hold out my glass.
“So, what’s on the agenda, Lucas? Are you venturing back into the dating world? Tinder? Rebound screws?” Jake questions with a grin.
“Haven’t you heard? Lucas has a thing for the town vet.” Nate flashes his eyes at me.
“Oh, so you already took the bullet and moved on,” Jake comments.
I shrug my shoulders. “No. We’ve just been catching up, nothing has happened.”
“Well, now you can screw her without any guilty conscience, not that you had to have one before either,” Jake mentions.
Nate returns with drinks in hand and mentions that Abby and Jess arrived. I look at the two ladies leaving their coats and winterwear near the door. It’s a quiet night at Matchbox, which means they’re easy to spot.
Jess and Abby walk to our table, and we all quickly move so everyone has a spot around the big circular booth as everyone greets each other. One of the puzzle pieces that fall into place is Abby who sits next to me.
“Hi,” I smile.
“Hey,” she grins. Her face goes long, but her mouth still remains with a wry leer. “So, why are we all here?”
“I didn’t tell you?” I thought I did.
“No. Someone celebrating something?” she asks as Nate hands her a glass of whiskey.
“My brother is officially a divorced man.” Nate almost seems proud, and it kind of concerns me.
Abby immediately looks at me, and her face freezes as she connects the dots and thinks of something to say. “That’s… that is… well, great? Congrats?” She isn’t confident with her choice of words.
“I’m relieved, to be honest,” I admit.
“Right.”
I try to grab her hand under the table, but she doesn’t seem receptive and moves to brush it off. She even goes into conversation with Max. Internally, I’m lost. This vibe is new to me.
A few minutes pass with everyone in their own conversation, but I can’t shake the feeling that I need to speak with Abby.
I nudge her arm. “Hey,” I say softly.
Her head turns to me and her eyes feel serious. “Hey.”
“Come on, let’s get some fresh air,” I suggest and already slide my body her way, so she has no choice but to slide out of the booth. Everyone seems to be looking between each other, but we keep moving. I follow Abby out to the outside terrace that has heaters, so we don’t need our coats.