Enter the Theater Sub – Chapter 21 – Dinner Meetings

Troy sat anxiously waiting with Martin for Robert and Dana Mathis. About ten minutes later, Robert and Dana were approaching the table. Troy stood and pulled out a chair for her as Martin shook hands with Robert. Troy smiled to Dana as she accepted his gesture. It was clear he wasn't the only nervous party at the table.

Martin and Robert both sat down just as Troy was returning to his seat. He shook hands with Robert and everyone picked up their menu. It was a stiff silence that fell over the table.

Several moments later the waiter appeared and took each person's order. After he left, Robert cleared his throat and looked at Troy. "Troy, the reason we've asked you here is to tell you that Dana and I plan to move back to Albuquerque. We haven't bought a house yet, but I have gotten a job and Dana has plans to return to U of A in the spring. What I need to know is how that will affect your wanting to be near Caleb."

Troy sat there quietly for a moment. "Don't misunderstand, I would love the chance to get to know my son. My life has changed significantly since I made the decision that I did. None the less, I don't want to disrupt his life. He has a good home with you and he's obviously growing up very well. I won't get in the way of that if that's what you're worried about."

Robert sat back in his chair and met his wife's eyes. They seemed to be communicating silently. She nodded once in a very small gesture, but that seemed to be all Robert needed to continue. He turned back to Troy. "We've been talking about this and we've decided that we want to do a trial run of sorts."

Troy furrowed his brow. "What do you mean, 'a trial run'?"

Robert met the younger man's eye. "We'll be here with my parents for two weeks over Christmas. We have decided that it would be healthy for Caleb to get to know his biological father. I don't know that he's ready to spend major amounts of time with you just yet, but we decided that during our stay that we'd like you to consider coming over or meeting us somewhere neutral for 'playdates' of sorts."

Troy sat there dumbfounded. Somewhere inside he'd been prepared to be told to stay away from his son so that the young boy could grow up without confusion. Now, he sat staring at Robert. "I would love that," he stumbled through. "Do you really think it's a good idea? I don't want to confuse him or make things difficult."

Robert nodded, "He will never get the chance to meet his mother. I think it's important that he at least have the chance to know you. I'm not saying that I want you to take him back. I love my son and I would fight for him with the last breath in my lungs, but I hold no delusion that there is something special about the people who created you. There are mannerisms that I've seen Caleb do a million times that I couldn't explain until we met you the other day. Caleb knows he was adopted. He's known Martin all his life. I don't know that this would be any more confusing for him than knowing Martin."

Troy smiled, "I would love to share any time with him you'd allow. I can't tell you how much that would mean to me."

Robert nodded, but a solemn look still adorned his face, "Troy, I need to stress one thing. Caleb is still our son. He will still live with us and celebrate holidays with us. None of the normal family stuff will change. I understand that a boy needs to know his father, but I am his daddy."

Troy nodded. "I'm not trying to take him away from you. I would never do that. Getting the chance to know him and see him grow up even for his adolescent and teenage years is so much more than I had hoped for. I know I let him go all those years ago, but I've never forgotten him. I was young and I didn't know what to do. I don't want you to feel like you need to be afraid that I will try to take him from you at any chance. I won't. He needs his family, all of it. If you're really willing to try this, I am too." Troy bit his cheek inside his mouth to keep from tearing up.

Robert looked at his wife again and they nodded to each other. Robert looked Troy in the eye. "We'll be here between December 17th and January 1st. We'll be moving back in March. I think we can probably nail down the details as the dates get closer. So, for now, let's just enjoy our meal."

Troy nodded. He felt his cell phone vibrate in his pocket. He took it out and saw Gabriella's number. "I need to take this. I'll be right back."

Martin and Robert both smiled and Troy turned for the door. He stepped outside into the cool autumn air and tried not to sound like a twelve year old girl who just found out her crush liked her back. "G! They're moving back and they want me to spend some time with him! They want me to take a chance to get to know my son!"

Gabriella smiled on the other end. "That's amazing, honey."

Troy grinned so wide. His heart was leaping. "God, I'm so happy I think I'm going to cry."

Gabriella grinned through the tears in her eyes, "Troy, call me before you head back to your apartment, please. I don't want to interrupt your evening, but I need a favor."

Troy stopped his celebration. "What is it? You know you can ask me anything, babe."

Gabriella frowned, "Do you mind if I stay with you a while longer?"

Troy let out a sigh of relief. "I told you. We're moving you in with me. I've got more than enough room and there's no reason why we should be spending twice the money anyway. We sleep together every night as it is."

Gabriella bit her lip. "I know. I just needed to be sure you were still okay with this. Everything was so chaotic with the break-in. I just wanted you to have a chance to change your mind."

Troy shook his head. "Are you at my place?"

Gabriella shook her head. "No, I'm still over at Taylor's. I just wanted to be sure, you know?"

He wished he could hold her in that moment. "It's fine, sweetheart. If you want, I can come by Taylor's and pick you up and we can go back to my place together. You're welcome to go without me, but if you'd rather wait for me, that's fine too."

Gabriella felt a tear crest her lashes. "I really think I'd rather wait for you. It just feels like I'm invading your life."

Troy smiled as he looked out over the parking lot and landscaping, "I want you in my life, Gabriella. I'm begging for you to be in my life, honey."

Gabriella nodded silently, "Take your time with them. I'm just going to watch movies with Tay until you are free, okay?"

He chuckled, "Enjoy your girlie movies. I'll be there as soon as I can."

"I love you."

"I love you too, sweetheart."

Ms. Darbus smiled from where she stood hovering over her cane. "That'll do just fine, Mr. Bolton." She turned and made her way back into the bar. She sat down next to another older man. "He's learning. He'll be ready when the time comes."

Without displacing a single long white strand of hair, the man turned to shine his bright green eyes toward Ms. Darbus. "You're sure? I don't want to offer this and have him change his mind."

Ms. Darbus smiled congenially, "He's grown significantly. He's put down some roots in this town, finally. He'll do just fine with the offer if you do it right."

"Alright. I'll approach him soon."

Ms. Darbus nodded to him, "Thank you, Albus."

He chuckled, "No, Ms. Darbus, thank you."