And You’re Here With Me
Posted in Family, Metaphorical, Random with tags Fiction, story on Sunday, May 11, 2008 by maceI sigh heavily and closed the program. The blinking of a tiny little vertical strip does little to help me get the word to write it out. I have everything arranged in my brain, but I just couldn’t get them out and get it done with.
And the deadline’s in three hours.
I want to go by the beach and take a walk. But there’s no beach here in the city. I want to find inspiration by drinking beer. Or Coke. Or something. And there’s nothing but tap water in the apartment. I feel like going out and get some fresh air and clear my head. Which would end up with my agent calling and yelling at the phone, because if I do that, then I certainly will spend all the three hours walking and doing nothing. I feel like screaming. Which is just what I can do.
I put my hands on my face and let out a groan, then exhale a huge, sharp breath.
“What’s wrong, Daddy?”
I look up. “Hey, Hayes.”
He stood there, almost glued to the wall with his big blue eyes staring at me with curiosity.
“Come here.” I waved my hand and smiled.
“Are you OK?” he asked.
“I’m fine, Champ. Just… tired, is all.”
“So, you’re not going to read me a bedtime story?”
“Hayes?” she called. “What did I say?”
“I know, I know,” he leaned in on me and gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “G’ nite, Daddy.”
“Good night, Champ.”
With one swift motion, he slipped out of my arms and went running to the bedroom with his mom. I chuckled lightly and shook my head, still coming to term with this realization that I’m now married with kids.
“Hey.”
“Hey.”
“How’s it going so far?” she asked, standing right behind me and noticed that my laptop is now closed. “You scared Hayes for a minute there.”
“Yeah, I know. I’m sorry.”
“Not going so well?”
I looked up and tilted my head back, my eyes landed right on her smiling lips and those clear blue eyes, and let out a grim smile. “Don’t think so.”
“You’ll finish it. Don’t worry.” she said with her reassuring voice, and putting her hand on my shoulder.
“I hope so, or Ken’s gonna freak.” I look into her eyes again, finding comfort and strength at the same time. “Thank you.”
I open the laptop once again, and soon afterward that blinking, vertical strip was waiting for me.
I took a deep breath. And I began to write.





