Author's Note: This piece was originally written for Love's Journey but was not included when I posted it. But I felt as though the piece warranted being posted, so here it is.

I hope you enjoy!

Chapter Two: Time

The restaurant was small and quaint situated just on the outskirts of Washington, DC. Known for specialty pasta, but was also just as famous for the other food served, such as steak, shrimp and lobster. Joe had never been there before, but he'd heard great reviews about the restaurant. Some of the lawyers from his old firm used to go there when he lived in Arlington with Amanda.

Joe sat at the table in the restaurant glancing again at his watch, then the clock on the wall for what was about the fifteenth time. Both said 6:30 pm. Joe nervously twisted the band of his watch again. At least thirty minutes to go. That's what he got for coming so early. Really? Arriving an hour early? It wasn't as though he hadn't been on any dates since his divorce to Amanda, but there hadn't been any recent dates since he'd attempted to get Amanda and his family back. Besides, this wasn't really a date—anyway. It was, what was it exactly? Someone's way of saying thank you, that's all! The boys would probably think this was a date. But they didn't know about it. All they knew was that he was meeting someone for dinner. He'd just neglected to tell them who the someone was just like he'd neglected to mention to them a few other things.

Of late, however; they were becoming more inquisitive, and he couldn't say that he blamed them.

One example of their inquisitiveness was some weeks ago-the day of Amanda's wedding/reception.

In his hotel room, Joe stretched his long legs out on the ottoman as he sat in a chair and watched the sleeping forms of his sons; both boys, one on either end of the couch, curled up in a ball, fast asleep. You did well tonight! Joe thought to himself, even though there was a moment of awkwardness.

Once back at his hotel, they were all so hungry; there was little to no talking while they ate their food. Joe had the mindset to have them take a shower and put on their pajamas, and the three of them settled in on the couch, one boy on either side of him. They talked comfortably about the wedding and reception, about Karyn and Karyn's sister Carrie while they waited for "Back to the Future" to come on. He must've been noticeably quiet in his comments about the wedding because, at some point, Jamie asked, "Dad, are you still in love with mom?"

"We wondered why you didn't come up and say a toast to Mom and Lee," Philip said.

Joe was taken aback for a moment; finding it difficult to find the words to answer his children in a way that they could understand. But the truth of the matter was,he didn't actually understand what it was he was feeling himself. After an awkward silence, Joe simply answered. "To be honest with you, I don't know." When the boys looked at one another then back at him, Joe said, "Sometimes emotions are funny, even for adults. I know I should've said something to let your mom know that I was happy for her, but because I'm not completely happy about her relationship with Lee, I just couldn't say anything. So, I sat back down. Can you understand that?"

"Yeah, I can kind of understand that," Philip said, and Jamie nodded in agreement.

"But…" Philip said slowly, "is there something about Lee you don't like?"

Just the fact that he is with your mom, Joe thought to himself. "No, nothing that I can think of," Joe said out loud instead.

The boys looked a little confused by that statement to which Joe simply said, "I'm just not used to there being someone else in your mom's life or your lives, even though it has been some months now. I guess I still kind of think of all of us as a family, me, you boys and…" Joe paused before he said, "your mother."

The boys both nodded and then Joe pulled them into an embrace and assured them that in time he'd be okay with the new family situation. They'd went off to take their showers, came back and settled in to watch the movie.

He'd wondered if or how long before he'd be okay with Amanda's new situation. He'd wondered just before he closed his eyes too and fell asleep.

That was the same day he met Karyn's sister, Carrie. That was several weeks ago; now he was sitting and waiting for Carrie.

"Hi," Carrie said, walking over to the table.

"Hi, how are you?" Joe asked as he quickly stood up and waited for Carrie to sit down in the booth.

"I'm good. And you?"

"I'm good."

"Have you been here long? Sorry, I'm late."

Joe looked at his watch. "No, you aren't late."

"I just feel like I was rushing."

"Not your fault, I was…well…early," Joe said pulling at the collar of his shirt.

Carrie smiled.

The waiter walked over and asked whether Carrie wanted to start with something to drink. Joe ordered another beer while Carrie ordered a glass of red wine.

"Well, I'm glad I finally caught up with you at the coffee shop and that you took me up on my offer to take you out to dinner," Carrie said when the waiter walked away. Shortly after the incident at the train station, Carrie had caught Joe at the coffee shop, apologizing and offering to take him out to dinner as her way of saying sorry and also to thank him for taking care of her sister.

"Thanks for inviting me to dinner, as I said before, it wasn't necessary," Joe said, "And of course, it's on me."

"No, no!" Carrie said, holding up her hands in protest, "remember, we said that I'd get dinner this time, to apologize for my rudeness when I got Karyn from the train station?"

"Not necessary!"

"No, this is my treat. I'm only sorry it took me so long to come and apologize."

"Okay, I understand," Joe answered, throwing up his hands. "It must be challenging looking out for your younger sister, even though she is grown."

"Yeah, it's just the two of us. It has been that way for a very long time but soon the baby will be here, and that will change everything."

The waiter returned with their drinks then asked if they needed more time to look at the menus.

"Yes, I do think we need more time," Joe said glancing at Carrie who hadn't even opened her menu yet. Joe already knew what he wanted having perused it earlier while waiting for her to arrive.

"No, I know what I want," Carrie answered. "I'll have a salad and the pasta ravioli. I've eaten here before, so I know the menu pretty well."

"I'll take the steak and potatoes with green beans," Joe returned.

"What will you two do then?" Joe questioned once the waiter left. "I mean, is there any chance at all that the dad will come and help? Oh, I'm sorry, that is a rather personal question," Joe said.

"No, it's okay. No, I don't think so, but we didn't come here tonight to talk about my challenges. Karyn, the baby and I will be fine. I have a flexible job; we'll figure it out."

"What do you want to talk about then? And don't say me, that is too boring."

"And complicated?" When Joe arched his eyebrow, Carrie continued, "Ex-wife, two sons?"

"Yes!"

"So, what do we talk about?"
"You like sports?"

"I do. You?"

"Well, yes, I do."

"What kind? Watching? Playing?"

"Watching mostly, though I sometimes do enjoy a game or two of tennis," Carrie said.

They talked amicably for the next several minutes as they waited for their food to arrive. They both talked about their work. They eventually did end up talking about some of the challenges she was having, mostly work related and Joe talked about the boys but kept safely away from anything that referred to Amanda outside of the children and in the end, he must admit that he actually was having a good time, so much so that he got up enough nerve to ask her out again.

"I was wondering whether you'd like to go out again sometime?" Joe asked hesitantly after the check was paid they stepped outside to wait for her car to be brought by the valet.

"Yes, I would like that."

"What about next week?"

"That would be nice."

"I'll call you."

"Are you sure I couldn't drop you at your place?" Carried asked once the valet placed her keys in her hands.

"Yes, I'm sure! Next time I'll pick you and take you home!"

"That would be nice!"

After Joe helped Carrie in her car, he stood and watched as she drove away. Once completely out of sight, Joe looked down at his watch before he stepped out to the curb and hailed himself a cab to take him back to his condo.

Time! Maybe it was time he moved on. Besides, he had to eat; he might as well have good company — no point in eating alone if he didn't have to. Joe thought as he waited for a cab to pull up. He really did need to find a car soon. One thing at a time; one thing at a time.