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Chapter 2: Reconnect

Julie walked into the apartment and crashed on the couch. Sean handed her a beer.

"Thanks," she smiled. He nodded. "How was he?"

"Fine," Sean said. "He said I should be your boyfriend." Julie laughed.

"Mm, how do you explain homosexuality to a five year old?" She said. He laughed and put his arm around her.

"How was work?" He asked.

"Ugh," she said, "horrible. The people who's party it was? I went to high school with their daughter."

"Ouch," he said. "Did you see the daughter?"

"Yup," she said, "and her boyfriend who was my hockey captain." She took a long drink from the beer. "He wanted to stick around and catch up."

"Why didn't you?" He said.

"I used you as an excuse," she said. "But really," she sighed, "the Ducks were great friends, until Tyler and then they all kind of bailed."

"You guys were eighteen," he said, "people change. He probably regrets it, like a lot." She sighed. "I think Tyler's right. You do need a boyfriend."

"Oh, yes, in my abundant free time I'll find a boyfriend," she rolled her eyes.

"OK, I'll change it then," he nodded. "You need to get laid." She looked at him. "Seriously, when was the last time you had sex?"

"I don't know," she said, "I guess, two years ago." He stared at her. "Don't look at me like that! I have a one room apartment and a five year old!"

"Wait, two years ago?" He said. "Two years ago you were with that guy who found my roommate posting on Craig's List," she raised her eyebrows and nodded. "Wow, so those four quickies in my second bedroom…"

"Mm hm," she nodded. "A grand total two hours of human contact. Ah the glory."

"Yeah, you have to get laid," he said. "Seriously. The next time Tyler's with his dad, you and I are going out and you're having an intensely hot one night stand. Shit, I'll do you if we can't find someone."

"I'll agree to that," Julie nodded. "Since Scooter has cancelled on me the past three times Tyler was supposed to spend a weekend with him." He looked at her. "His wife's pregnant. He's starting his real family."

"God, Jules, that sucks," he shook his head. She shrugged and peeled the label on her beer bottle.

"I should go to bed," she said. "Thanks again, one of these days I'll actually pay you." He hugged her.

"Go to bed," he said. "Everything will look better in the morning." She nodded.

Charlie lay in bed that night as Linda climbed in.

"I still can't believe that Julie was working that party," Linda shook her head. "God, it's just so sad, you know?"

"You keep saying that," he said. "I don't really know what you mean." She looked at him.

"I mean," she said, "she graduated second in our class. She had a full ride to Princeton. She gave up so much."

"It wasn't all on her," Charlie said. "I mean, Scooter bailed on her." Linda looked at him. "It's not easy what she's doing, you know?"

"Are you feeling guilty or something?" She said. He looked at her. "Charlie, you didn't do anything! Julie like, disappeared after graduation."

"We all should have tried harder," he shook his head, "especially me, I mean, my mom was in the same place." She looked at him. "She must be lonely."

"Mm," she kissed him. "Probably. Do you want to have sex tonight?" He looked at her. He didn't, not particularly. He didn't know when it exactly it happened, but the woman Linda had grown into was so different than the girl he'd fallen in love with and he just wasn't sure he was in love with her anymore.

"You know, I drank a lot," he shook his head, "I think I just want to go to sleep."

"OK," she nodded. "I love you."

"I love you too," he said as she shut off the light and rolled over and fell asleep. He lay in bed for a little while longer, thinking about Julie. He didn't even know how to get in contact with her. He could go to the restaurant that catered the party. That could work.

A few weeks later Julie walked into work. She'd been taking lunch shifts lately. There weren't as many tips, but at least she got to put Tyler to bed at night. She'd all but put the humiliating catering job behind her. She was taking a breather, relaxing with a few of the kitchen staff when Rex walked back.

"Julie," he said, "finance yuppies in your section. Hop to." She rolled her eyes and nodded. If they were young and male she was ready for a two bottle of wine lunch which always ended in sexual harassment, and a big tip. She smiled, imagining taking that cash to the grocery story after work and bringing home ice cream for Tyler. It got harder to smile as she approached the table, which was seated around by guys aged 22 to 30, all in suits that cost more than her grocery budget for the past few months.

"Hi," she smiled, "I'm Julie, can I start you off with something to drink this afternoon?" She looked around the table and sighed when she saw Charlie. After taking down drink orders she walked away quickly. He stood up and followed her.

"What are you doing here?" She said.

"I don't know," he said. "I wanted to see you I guess. After that party, I couldn't stop thinking about you." She nodded.

"Well that's nice," she said. "But I don't need your pity, Charlie." He looked at her. "You know when I could have used you thinking about me? Five years ago, when I was alone and had just had a baby. Where were you then?"

"I know," he said, "look what happened sucked, OK? But I want to make it up now. We were really good friends." She sighed and looked at him. "You can't tell me you're not lonely Julie, I know. My mom was in the same place." She swallowed.

"Fine," she said softly. "I get off here around six, depending on my table load, then I go home and have dinner with Tyler. If you want to come over that's fine. But I don't give up my time with him for anything but work."

"OK," he nodded. "I want to meet him." She smiled.

"Great," she said. "Pick me up?"

"Don't you have a car?" He said. She laughed. "I said something funny?"

"It was get a car or put Tyler in day care after pre school," she shrugged, "so you know, there's that." He smiled.

"Right," he nodded, "so I'll pick you up."

"Great," she said. "See you then." He nodded and went back to the table.

That night they walked into Julie's building.

"Just to warn you," she said, "it's small." He looked at her. "Like tiny. Living room, kitchen, one bedroom and bathroom, that's it!"

"I've been warned," Charlie nodded. She opened the door.

"Mommy!" Tyler shouted jumping off of the couching and running over.

"Hey sweetheart!" She said and hugged him. "Oh I missed you. Hi Sean," she waved.

"Hi," Sean said from the couch and then looked over, "ooh, we have company?"

"Uh yeah," Julie said, "Charlie Conway, this is Sean, he lives downstairs and watches Ty while I'm at work."

"Nice to meet you man," Charlie nodded and shook Sean's hand.

"Yeah," Sean nodded, "you too."

"And this is Tyler," Julie said picking him up. Tyler looked at the newcomer. "Tyler, Charlie's a friend of mine from school. From before you were born."

"Hi," Tyler said, "are you Mommy's boyfriend?"

"No," Charlie said, "I am not your mommy's boyfriend. Just a friend."

"Oh," Tyler said. "Are you staying for dinner?"

"He is," Julie said. "Go wash your hands and we'll start making it, OK?"

"OK," Tyler nodded and Julie put him down.

Later after dinner and Tyler had gone to bed Julie and Charlie sat on the floor at the coffee table, sharing a piece of cake she'd brought back from work. She looked at him.

"He's a good kid," Charlie said.

"Yeah," Julie smiled. "I wish I could do better by him."

"You're doing OK," he said. She looked at him and smiled. "Here's what I don't get. Scooter's got money."

"Yeah," she nodded. "He's also got a wife who likes to pretend me and Ty don't exist and I don't have the money to sue him for child support."

"Right," Charlie grimaced, "sorry." She shrugged. "He's missing out though."

"That's what I tell myself," she whispered. "What about you? Why the hell are you working as a stock broker?" He laughed.

"I don't know," he shook his head. "Somewhere between college and Linda wanting to get an apartment in a building with a doorman, I ended up where I am." She nodded. "So are you and Sean…"

"Oh, God no!" Julie laughed. "Sean's gay." Charlie laughed. "He's a great guy though and Ty's crazy about him." He nodded. "No, I don't really have time for that kind of thing. So are you and Linda like, on the road or whatever?"

"I guess," he said and shook his head, "I don't know, lately," he sighed, "she's just different, and I don't really know how to deal with it." She looked at him.

"I always thought you two were a little strange together." She said. He smiled at her. "It's not my place though."

"Speaking of," he sighed and stood up, "I should get going." She stood up and hugged him.

"This was good," she whispered, "thanks for talking me into it." He nodded.

"We'll do it again soon, OK?" He said. "Give me a call." She nodded.

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