Eleven

"We sort of started this relationship in the middle, do you think we can go back and start from the beginning?" Bobby asks as he pours a spot of milk into the mug of black coffee set before him.

Alex cuts a pat of butter with a knife and begins to spread it on her second piece of wheat toast, "Well," she raises the slice of bread to her mouth then lowers it immediately, "There is only one way to find that out." She offers him a sweet smile, "Let's do it."

"Quick and decisive I like that." He uses a spoon to stir the coffee a few times. "So would you like to join me for dinner tonight at Sparks?"

She continues to chew her food, swallows then answers, "Yes, I would love to."

That Evening

When she opens the door that evening she has to do a double take at the man standing on her porch. "Bobby?" She asks with surprise in her voice.

He frowns, "Expecting someone else?"

"No, ah....it's just that you hair is shorter, your earring is gone," she says sadly. "And that suit, wow." Her eyes examine him, head to toe. "Blue is definitely your color."

"Thanks....ah....may I come in​?"

"Jesus," she places her hand to her forehead, "I'm sorry of course." She opens the door wider and he enters the home.

"Want a drink?" She asks as she closes the door.

"No thanks, I'm good."

"Just give me a minute, I'll be right back."

"Sure," he paces around the room coming to the realization that it has been almost three years since he has been on a date, A date? Do they still call it that? He chuckles softly. He catches a glimpse of himself in a mirror and stands before it straightening his tie, Shit you didn't even tell her how good she looked. Man you are such an idiot. Alright, he nods his head. When she comes back, but be cool. He tugs on his shirt sleeves.

She returns and he takes a long look at the women before him, her dress is black and sleeveless with just the right amount of cleavage showing. Legs that are trim, muscular but attractive. He rubs the back of his neck as he realizes that his silence and stare is making her a bit restless. "You, you look beautiful," he says sincerely.

A slight shade of red appears on her face, "Thank you."

He walks up to her and she of course has to look up, he leans in and lays down a gentle kiss on her cheek. He holds out his arm and she links her arm in his. They walk side by side across the room and out the front door.

Not that he compares the women in his life to Beth, with whom he had a twenty year affair, but she and Alex are a great deal alike. Even in appearance, except Beth stands at 5 foot 8.

Spark's Restaurant

Manhattan

"I was such a chicken shit I wouldn't even marry her. Even after Jess was born." He picks up the glass filled with wine that the waiter recently poured. "Hell it would probably be over by now anyway."

"Did she pressure you?"

Shaking his head, "No not at all, I knew she wanted to get marry. Every six months or so, she would bring it up."

"She kick you out?" Alex pats his hand, "I'm sorry, it's none of my business."

"I brought it up, and no, she didn't, I left. Thought I was being gallant, leaving so she could go on with her life and find someone else."

"Now she's bitter and you feel guilty."

"No, she remarried about three years ago and is very happy."

Alex frowns as she leans forward, "Then what is bothering you?"

"Jess, I get back home spend last night with you," he leans forward and caresses her cheek, "Which was very nice and tonight I'm having dinner with you."

"Bobby I'm sorry. I still don't see your problem."

"I'm afraid," he whispers then slaps his hand on the table, "Shit."

"Afraid?" Alex asks softly, "Afraid of what?"

"Eight months, it's been eight months since I've seen my daughter."

Alex tosses the roll, she recently removed from the bread basket, at him and it hits his chest, "Shame on you Bobby."

"Yeah, you're right," he brushes off the bread crumbs. "Shame on me. After the first month I was worrying about what to say when I see her. Then I got so deep into this assignment and before I realized it seven months had passed." He picks up the glass of wine that he has been twirling in his hand and takes a quick sip. He sets it down then sits back in his seat, head down. "Now its eight months." He rubs his eyes then continues, "I called her on her birthday and she was thrilled at the gift I got her. Never made the party."

"Did you promise her that you would be there?"

"No, I never promise her anything."

The Home of Doug and Beth Granger

He stands on the porch of the Brooklyn Cape Cod home, that once upon a time he occupied. The pit in his stomach is growing with each second that passes, he shuffles his feet like that of a teenage boy who, is for the first time, meeting his girlfriends parents. He presses on the button and hears the bell chime, not sure who he would rather see first, his daughter or Beth, her mother. The door opens, neither is standing before him, he forgot about Doug, Beth's husband. Shit.

"I'm surprised you remembered where the house is." Doug says sarcastically.

"None of that is your concern, Doug." He hears Beth say from behind. Doug steps away from the door and Beth comes into view.

His ability to talk his way out of any situation is gone. His only response to seeing his former lover, "He does have a point."

She offers a slight smile then turns to take a quick glance at Doug, "He only knows what he knows." She opens the door wider, "Get in here."

He removes his hands from his pockets and walks with a bow downed head into the house. "So," Doug says as he paces around the living room, "When are you off on your next adventure?" Doug asks with a hint of sarcasm.

Bobby stands erect, "There isn't going to be a next adventure."

"You quit?" Beth asks surprisingly, "I don't believe it."

"Yes, I did." He states firmly.

The sound of a door opening then closing causes their heads to turn and look toward the stairs. She runs down the steps, she would fly if she could, "Daddy!" she screams happily. All his fears about how she would react; squashed like a bug. She runs toward him and being a man who has always been quick on his feet, mentally and physically is able to catch the 10-year girl in his arms.

"Come on," Beth grabs onto Doug arms and pulls, "Let's get something to drink."

They walk side by side into the kitchen, "She'll never do that for me."

Doug is a well-balanced, loving and hard working man, who teaches Physical Education at Canarsie High School, where Beth teaches art. However, he is as many men would be, a tad jealous at Bobby's career, something along the lines of a spy. Beth knows this, as any women would. She pours the bottle of soda she opened into a frosty mug. Not wanting to get into this discussion but she has to, "Doug, Jess likes you very much," she hands the mug to him. "I would even say that she loves you, but you will never take his place." She opens another bottle, "I do complain about him but he is a good man, who has in the past taken on the responsibility to clean up this country of evil that we don't even know exists."

Doug nods his head and they drink their sodas in a comfortable silence.

"I came by to apologize," Bobby says. "And to tell you that never again will more than a week pass that you won't see me. I have never made any false promises to you but this I promise."

"It's alright, I know…."

"No," he says excitedly and Jess gets slightly started. "It's not alright," he exhales then takes her hand, "Come on, let's sit down."

Beth and Doug return to the living room, Beth carrying a frosty mug of beer, she places it before him on the coffee table. "Jess went out with a girl named Cassie," Bobby says solemnly. Beth takes the spot next to him on the couch.

Doug clears his throat, "If you'll excuse me, I have to get ready for practice."

"Sure, sure," Beth says.

"Practice?" Bobby asks.

"Football practice," Beth answers as she watches Doug ascends the stairs then disappears. She turns her attention to a silent and still Bobby. "What happened, are you alright?"

"Thank you." He says then reaches forward to pick up the mug filled with beer.

She frowns, "Thank you, for what?"

"Well first the beer and everything else." He takes a short sip of beer. "You have so much to complain about and…."

"I would never talk to Jess about our problems Bobby, what happened between us is between us." She takes a sip of her beer, "Now complaining about you to Doug, well I have to admit that I have. You know I would have told you to your face but you weren't around," she says lightheartedly.

"You forgot about the regrets."

"What regrets?"

"Come on, be honest with me and be honest with yourself."

"Ok, let's see. First I don't regret meeting you or falling in love with you and never, ever do I regret, Jessica our," she emphasis the word. "Daughter." She sits back in the seat, then crosses her legs. "One thing about our relationship is that, aside from your job you and I have always been able to talk," she lightly nudges him on the side. "Talk to me Bobby."

He smiles, "She seemed happy to see me. Why?" he shrugs his shoulders. "I mean I haven't been around," shaking his head. "I don't understand."

"Jesus Christ," she says angrily. He catches her eye and frowns. "For an intelligent man, I swear sometimes you are such an idiot. You're her father…."

"Biologically maybe but….Doug."

She stands, "I am glad that Doug is here, for me and for her but he can't take your place is Jessie's eyes, you know that." His only response is a grunt. "You saw the way she flew down the stairs when she heard your voice."

"Yeah," he says sadly.

"Alright that's enough, this feeling sorry for yourself is not very becoming."

"I'm not feeling sorry for myself, she shrugs it off just like I use to do, pretending that it didn't matter when he ignored me."

"We're talking about Jess, not you." She resumes her spot on the couch. "You know what she remembers about you, and that's the thing Bobby she has memories of you, good memories. Hell Bobby she's only ten, plenty of time to make new ones."

He scoffs, "Memories? What the hell are you talking about?"

She lightly pats his head a few times, "Don't you remember when you and Jess would get up early on Saturday morning, go out for breakfast then spend the entire day exploring the five boroughs. Most times I wouldn't see the two of you till dinner and by then you were both so tired you would usually camp out on the couch."

That memory makes him smile, his elation is short lived, "I just took her to places; a lot of people take their kids to museums, ball games, zoos, concerts."

"Yes you're right they do, it's not the places you went that she remembers and savors the memory," she pats his leg. He looks in her direction and catches her eye. "It's who she was with, you. You took the time to, well educate her without her knowing it. You never made it a chore."

"I did enjoy those Saturdays." He smiles remembering once again. "Can I take her for dinner tomorrow?"

Beth stands and he looks up, "Don't ask me, ask Jess," Beth points to the front door, "Here she comes."

A/N: I mean who could stay mad at Bobby? Not me that's for sure.

That is all for Now.....