Later that day, Fitz shared a bottle of scotch with his mom. He cherished the days they spent together. Since the accident, family had become very important to him. He was sad that Karen had another family she would never meet.

"How's your ex-wife?"

"Why are you always asking about Mellie?"

"Because you should have stayed married to her. Poor Karen thinks a black woman is her mother."

"Why does everything have to be about race?"

"Heritage is important. I bet you that fancy black woman don't know nothing about playing the spoons."

"Olivia is from Virginia. I'm sure she knows how to be a hillbilly."

"That girl is going to resent you leaving her mother. Wait until she gets older and the kids at school start calling Olivia colorful names."

"Mellie doesn't want a close relationship with Karen. I want her to know that Olivia and Mellie are her mom. They don't want that. I'm going to start seeing a therapist again."

"My shrink gave me a new medication. None of that shit works for me."

"Do you want to go fishing next weekend? We haven't had a fish fry in a long time."

His mom smiled, "Yeah."

"No alcohol until dinner." Fitz said.

"I can be sober for a few hours."

"It's getting late, and I know Olivia needs my help with the babies. I'm going to call a taxi."

Fitz drank the rest of his scotch and stepped outside to get some air. What if his mom was right? Would Karen blame him one day? He would be honest with her. If he had known about the pregnancy, he would have stuck around. He would probably be unhappily married to Mellie.

There was never any real chemistry with him and Mellie. She was always a friend and good listener. It wasn't like his relationship with Olivia. His relationship with Olivia was an emotional rollercoaster. She was not his therapist. Some days, he loved the challenge. Other days, it was frustrating. A lot of it was his own fault. He had to deal with his issues.