AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The visit to Patty’s place could get the day off to a great start or a terrible one, depending on the state she was in. The complex was a little sketchy, but neither he nor she could do anything about it.
Time and age had warped the gray siding on the front of the building. It was relatively small, with two units upstairs and two units beneath. Cracked, old, green paint and rust marred the metal railing along the second story. Patty had one of the downstairs apartments.
Dread pooled in his stomach when he knocked. Who would answer the door—normal Patty or the fire-breathing one? His poor mama was still scandalized over the poison Patty spewed at the house the other night.
He didn’t have to wait long. The door opened to reveal his old friend, freshly showered, her braids pulled back in a low ponytail. She wore jeans and a Gorillaz T-shirt.
She cocked her hip and smirked when she saw him standing there. “Couldn’t stay away, huh?”
He held up the pack of Pampers. “Thought you could use these.”
Grunting, she stepped aside to let him in.
He could smell a trace of cleaning products, which tracked with the absence of dust and grime in the small living space. Whatever her mystery job was, it obviously didn’t pay much, but at least Patty did her best with the place she had.
Jimmy sat in the playpen Matt had purchased for him, just below the light fixture designed to hang over the kitchen table Patty had pushed to the side. He babbled to himself while stacking several colorful plastic blocks.
“You can put them on the kitchen counter.” She gestured to a clear spot next to the sink.
He did as she asked, then unzipped the diaper bag on his shoulder. “I brought some milk and a few things I thought he might like.” He put the half gallon in the fridge, which was mostly empty, except for a McDonald’s bag, rolled at the top, and a few slices of cheese.
The pantry didn’t look much better, though there were a few cans of SpaghettiOs, some dry rice, and a box of off-brand cereal. He added three bags of instant mashed potatoes—Jimmy’s favorite—along with cans of green beans, chicken, and tuna. The cabinet still looked a little bare when he was done, but it was an improvement.
“You don’t have to do all that, you know?” Patty rubbed at the back of her neck. “I’ve got a job. I just haven’t been to the store yet.”
“I know, Pat.” He almost reached out to her but pulled his hand back at the last minute. “Any word on a permanent schedule? I can help out with childcare if you need it.”
She waved him off. “My shifts are mostly at night. It makes more sense for Jimmy to stay with my mom.”
He swallowed his disappointment over the fact she didn’t offer to let Jimmy stay with him. He didn’t have time to fight again. At least the job seemed to be making her happy. Not only was it good for Jimmy, but Patty had been his best friend for years. He wanted it for her too.
“Antoine and I broke up.” She folded her arms, almost daring him to call it a good thing.
No way he’d step onto a landmine like her love life. But itwasa good thing. And it explained why she’d been in such a foul mood last night. She was better off without him, though. He didn’t treat her right, but she took it. Maybe she thought she had to, to keep him. But the Patty he’d grown up with had always been tough and independent. Matt liked her better that way—at least when she wasn’t trying to bust his balls.
“I’m sorry if you’re sad about it, but I’m glad you’ve got a job that makes you happy.” He poured as much encouragement as he could into his smile. “I’m really proud of you.”
Patty held up her hand, and years of habit had him shutting his mouth so fast his back teeth clacked together. “It’s just not the life I thought I was going to have, but it’s getting better. It’s going to keep getting better.”
“Good,” he murmured. Patty had dreamed of becoming an illustrator for graphic novels. She’d had amazing talent too. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen her with her pencils. And he wasn’t touching the subject with a twenty-foot pole. “Thanks for giving me time with Jimmy next weekend.”
“Whatever,” she grumbled. “Give him a kiss and go. I’ve got shit to do.”
She didn’t have to tell him twice. He swept up his son and swung him around, his chubby little legs flying behind him.
“Da! Da-dee!” Jimmy’s unabashed happiness to be in his arms always took his breath away.
He stopped spinning and hugged his boy to his chest. “Are you having a good morning with Mommy?”
Jimmy bounced enthusiastically in his arms. “Bami. Bami. Bami.”
That was new one. Matt raised his eyebrows at Patty.
She sighed. “He’s talking aboutBambi.We’ve watched it like ten times this week, including once this morning. It’s his new favorite.”
“Hey,” he ventured. “I heard they might be releasing a newSerenitymini-series.”
She shook her head. “It’s just a rumor. They’re done with the comic. It was never as good as the show.”
