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“I like it, I like you guys. She’s prettier to look at too.” Mike jokes with a wink at Tatum. “So, how goes it?”
I turn to Tatum. “So, when we get together, we talk, we talk like chicks do about feelings, about what’s happening in our lives, and all that jam. There’s no judgments at our tables or in our circle, we feed off of another for experience and insight.” She nods.
“That’s sounds better than a book club.” She smiles.
“Alright, with that being said, I’m just going to jump into it. Tatum and I had a conversation last night. She expressed her thoughts and I explained my thoughts-.”
“They are my insecurities, about us and our relationship.” Tatum interrupts.
“Insecurities of what nature?” Mike asks with his elbows on the table.
“I was, I am still partially afraid that he will get bored with me and leave me high and dry for a hotter girl, someone without a baby crying at all times of the night.” Her emotions are fighting hard with her, I place my hand on her back and rub.
“I see.” Mike nods and turns to me. “And Max, how did this part of the conversation go?”
“Well, the whole conversation stemmed from saying that I got my bike when I was bored and that I was planning to trade it in or something since it’s not something practical for a new father. So from that her insecurities built. I tried to squash it giving the reasons I bought the bike which were superficial and explained to her there’s basically no chance in hell that I want someone else.” I explain. “If I didn’t want to be with her, I plainly wouldn’t be.”
“How did you feel expressing those thoughts to her?” Mike asks me.
“I had no problems saying any of that to her, because it’s the truth. Though when I was thinking this morning, and this has nothing to do with Tate or the baby. But generally being told that you’re going to be a dad for someone like me, a womanizing alcoholic, you would think that I would run back to the bar or something, but I didn’t. I didn’t even have that impulse. So then that feeling, that there was no desire for a sip of alcohol made me feel like I wasn’t a good alcoholic.” I explain, my hand still rubbing her back.
“How did you feel once Tatum told you? I know we talked about this, but I think that it’s good for her to hear too.” Mike explained.
“Well, at first I was scared as shit. But then it dissolved into pride, and then a desire and now love.” I say.
“How did you feel when Tatum said that you’re going to be a dad, what was your first thought?” Mike retorts.
“That he needed a strawberry milkshake.” Tatum answers for me. “As soon as I told him, he excused himself and started making one, he made me one too. It calmed him, and then he was cool with everything. He didn’t have the reaction I was thinking he would.”
“When you first told me about you becoming a father, I saw no hesitance in you. You were eager to be your best and you vibrated with some energy. It’s the same energy that you have when you speak about Tatum.” Mike says. “There’s no handbook on being an alcoholic, there’s nothing that tells you that you need to act or feel a certain way. For some, the need for the taste is so strong on a daily basis, for others it’s a thought in the back of their head.” Mike continued.
“This is like a therapy session!” Tatum exclaims. “Is it always like this?”
“Only when there’s something going on, some weeks we just talk about sports.”Leo laughs.
“Is Mike your sponsor too?” Tatum asked Leo.
“Yeah, we all sat together during a meeting and hit it off. So we are okay with sharing.” Leo smiles elbowing Mike.
“If you don’t mine me asking, Mike how long have you been sober?” She asks propping her chin on her hand.
“15 years this year.” He puffs out his chest.
“Wow, that’s great. Do you have any kids, wife?” She continues.
“Both. My daughter is 19 and my son is 16. My wife is eternally 25 though.” He laughs.
“My grandma always told me she was 35, I think up until I was a teen I had actually believed her.” Tatum laughs.
The remainder of our extended lunch went great. Tatum hugged both Leo and Mike with the promises of having everyone over for dinner as we left.
“Thank you.” She whispers as she leans into me walking to the car.
“For what?” I ask.
“For letting me into your circle of trust.” She answers.
I stop us walking and turn her body into mine; I put my arms around her and look her in the eyes.
“You’ve always been in it, since day one.”
She smiles as she leans up for a kiss. I may have groped her right there on the street while returning that kiss.
