Deadbeat Mother

Let's Go Out

~Evan~

*BANG*

*BANG*

*BANG*

“OPEN THE DAMN DOOR, EVAN!”

*BANG*

*BANG*

*BANG*

“I’M NOT LEAVING UNTIL YOU OPEN THE DOOR! I WILL STAY ALL DAY IF I HAVE TO!”

*BANG*

I slam the door open, causing it to hit the wall. Natalia is standing in front of me with her arm positioned to knock again. “What the f**k do you want?!” She pushes past me and walks into my apartment. If it weren’t the middle of the day, her knocking would have had the landlord on my ass.

“What the f**k, Evan! You should be at work.” After everything that happened, I was in a bad way. I don’t have any family to lean on, so I was lost. Natalia helped pull me out of my funk and do better for Cooper. She got me a job working with her in a way.

Natalia works with designers. Don’t ask me what she does precisely because I have no idea. She told me a few times, but this entire industry is lost to me, and I’m a bit biased against it anyway. She got me a job working with a modeling company (I know). It is a company she used to work with often. All I do is transport items from one place to another. Those items can be clothes or other pieces they want to use for their shoots. I don’t even meet the models, and I’m grateful for that. I almost didn’t take the job because of the possibility that I’d run into Neela, but I couldn’t turn down the pay. It was more than my two previous jobs combined. I had to think of Cooper and not my own feelings.

I sigh and slump on the couch, throwing my head back. I really don’t want to do life today. I took Cooper to school and came straight home. Actually, I didn’t take Coop to school. I got him ready, and I asked a neighbor to take him. He has a friend in this apartment complex, and she takes Coop for me when I can’t make it work. I just didn’t have the drive to face the world today. “I called in sick. They don’t need much today, and I will be back tomorrow. The other guys got it.” I’m kind of the group's supervisor because I’ve been there so long. I keep saying I’m going to get a different job, but I got lazy. The money is good, and I usually have a lot of free time for Coop. I still don’t know how I got lucky with a job like that, but who am I to question it?

“You can’t get fired. You have Cooper to think about. At least you got him to school.” Natalia goes around the room, raising my blinds and letting the blinding sun in. I listen to her rant and squeeze my eyes shut. Little does she know I can get fired. I’ve saved so much money that I can live for a bit without working. I even bought a cabin in the woods for a rainy day. It isn’t in my name because I plan to stay off the grid as much as possible when I go there. I won’t go now because Coop needs to be around people because it's isolated. We have vacationed there a few times, and he’s always loved it. Natalia doesn’t even know about it.

“What are you doing here, Natalia? I didn’t ask you to come here.” She scoffs and turns to look at me.

“Do you really think you need to ask? I’m always going to be here for you.” Natalia sits beside me on the couch and places her hand on my thigh. “I’m worried about you, Evan. You really need to let this go; let her go. You’ve been great these last few years. You and Cooper are doing great with each other. Don’t let her steal your joy.” Natalia rubs her hand along my thigh, making me a bit uncomfortable. I’d think she was interested in me if I didn't know her. She’s like a sister, so I know I’m reading too much into this.

I shift on the couch, making her hand drop from my leg. I lean back against the arm of the couch and cross my arms over my chest. I know I’ve been doing great, but Neela is…..well, was the love of my life. I just can’t get past the fact that she left us without a word. Had she told me there were problems, I would have moved heaven and earth to fix things and make her happy. She didn’t say anything, so I had no idea. “EVAN?!” I open my eyes and look at a frantic Natalia. “What the hell?! Where did you go?”

“Nowhere, I was just thinking.”

“Let’s go out tonight. You need to get out and I need some downtime before this event truly launches. Let’s go get drinks.” I haven’t been out in forever, choosing to spend my time with my son. He did want to stay the night with a friend tonight. I guess it can’t hurt to go out.

“Fine. I’ll go out with you. If I’m not having fun, though, I’m coming home.” I settle back against the arm of the couch to get comfy. “If that’s all, you can go. I want to nap.” I hear Natalia huff. I’m not sure if she will actually leave, but it doesn’t matter. She’s family and is more than welcome to stay.

~Natalia~

I was so close to making a move, but Evan moving, and my fear stopped me cold. I’m not quite ready. If this doesn’t work out, I’ll lose my friend, and I’m not sure I’m prepared for that. I know it’s been years, and I’m still hesitant. What can I say?

I watch Evan get settled on the couch and close his eyes. I pull my phone out and start making calls. I want tonight to be flawless. This will be my first step to making him want me. I want him to be so enamored with me that he has no choice but to fall for me, and if she sees it, that’s even better. Tonight, I will make Evan fall for me.