CHAPTER 16

Clay could hardly sleep, unbeknownst to him the constant drinking had begun to take its toll on his ability to sleep. He wasn't able to drink as much as he'd been use to the previous night. Every time his body was ready to sleep his mind jolted his body awake as his heart raced. Clearly not being a fun feeling he stayed awake and started to think. His mind was focused on both what Bloberta had said and trying to find a house fit for his vision. Partly to please Bloberta and her dreams but mostly wishing to get his space back. Clay sloppily made some toast with butter for the both of them. Clay set up breakfast near Bloberta in his bed with her plate beside her on a drawer as he sat beside her on the ground.

Bloberta's nose sniffed as her eyes were closed scrunching up her face. She opened her eyes to see Clay eating a piece of toast.

"There you are! Usually I'm the first to go to sleep I was a little worried so I made you toast."

Bloberta looked to the drawer at the plate of toast. She sighed and sat up grabbing the piece of bread out of respect. Clay spoke up about the previous day's events.

"Look I'm sorry about asking about your father. I of all people should be more...sensitive...about your issue regarding him."

Bloberta took a bite of the bread and swallowed. She had been initially offended with what Clay said. But she knew why she was offended. Its because he was right. "Don't be sorry. You're right. You are right about him."

"I don't want to start any problems between you and your family."

"They aren't my family. The only family I have left is you."

Clay groaned at her statement and reluctantly sympathized with Mr. Hymantact's relationship with Bloberta. Though the relationship was indeed flawed he could see the man truly cared for Bloberta and the small bit of care in him for her needed to express it. But Clay had denied him when they had met. Clay only regretted his parting message to him. Telling him that Bloberta had hated him, the exact opposite message Bloberta had requested him to make. Clay although he was flattered by Bloberta needed to squash the idea that he was Bloberta's one and only person in the world.

"Look Bloberta...I'm pretty sure your sister visited just the other day...And that your father...still loves you. You still have family left. Its me who doesn't have one."

Bloberta in her attempts to relate to Clay were being squandered, all of the sudden Clay was doing a 180 on the importance of family. It definitely annoyed her.

"You are one to talk...I tried to reconnect you with your estranged father out of love and care and you yelled at me!"

"t-These are two completely different situations. My father held me responsible for my mother's death. Your father and sister are-" Clay hesitated to finish his sentence. "-Nothing like my father."

"Is it so wrong I'm trying to be like you and turn over a new leaf? Maybe I just don't want to talk to them anymore."

"Look, the problems with our families are very different. I'm not trying to downplay your problems but-"

"It's just you don't want to relate isn't it?"

Clay pinched his brow, further getting fed up with this woman's questions. "Isn't it enough that we're married? and technically related?"

"Why are you so resistant?!"

"Ah- ah- ah. I said 'related' not 'resistant'."

"You are so dull I swear."

"You aren't so sharp yourself princess, your name is BLOBerta."

Bloberta scoffed and walked out of the apartment. Boy did that apology turn sour really quick...Clay groaned disappointed in his lack of regard for Bloberta's feelings and yet he couldn't care enough to follow her. Of course he did need to buy another bottle so he did follow her.

"Bloberta, come on." Clay said tailing her as she walked down the block.

"I need alone time from you, you are exhausting to deal with."

"I could say the same thing about you, sister."

"Well gee I'm sorry maybe I should just shut up."

"Ugh okay come on you know I don't want you to shut up...completely that is...I think this whole election and my new job as mayor has been really getting to me, and an inevitable new child isn't helping." Bloberta paused in her tracks trying to see eye to eye with Clay. "I forgot to mention I secured a deal with a house to move into later this week... 3 bedroom, kitchen, living room, rec room, and a study."

"Why didn't you just tell me first thing in the morning? Instead you opened with that family nonsense you hardly believe."

"Come on Bloberta I believe some of it...Blood is thicker than houses...if that makes sense?"

"No it doesn't. But I am happy to hear you at least secured a home for us."

"So why don't you and I go check her out to make up for the morning?"

"Fine."

"Great! Just one quick stop to the happy juice store." Clay made a quick turn to the liquor store near them. Clay browsed the selection for his preferred brand. Bloberta scoffed and decided it was finally time to open a discussion about his relatively new habit...

"Look Clay, I've noticed something."

"Nothing gets passed you does it?"

"You've been drinking more than I ever did. I started drinking when I was 12 and I never drank as much in a day as you."

"Jealous, much?" Clay asked as he purchased a liter of whiskey. "If you want a drink you can just ask, I'll be sure not to be too greedy." The two exited the liquor store, clay heading towards the new house to show the exterior off to Bloberta.

"I don't drink anymore, Clay. Not after...What I see it does to you." Bloberta remarked with a frown. Clay turned his head looking to her with a questioning look.

"And what does it do to me?"

"You turn into less of a favorable husband. And I don't want any part of it if I'm being honest."

Clay crossed his arms in a huff. "Well it makes me feel good, should I drop it just because you don't like it?"

"You do what you want. I'm going to care for this baby boy into a child whatever the circumstances. But when it comes down to raise the boy into a man I expect a decent job from you."

"Please I know exactly how to raise a boy into a man. As in I know exactly what not to do!"

Bloberta rolled her eyes. The two were becoming increasingly less patient with each other's presence. Bloberta almost hoped the child was premature so she could spend more time with the baby and less time with Clay.