40
"Did you have a good day?" Kate asks when I drop Sasha back at her house.
"We did, we went to see Grandma, didn't we, Sash?" I kiss her tired little face and she snuggles into me.
"Oh? I thought you had other plans," she says as she takes the little girl from me and cuddles her.
"I cancelled them." I don't offer any more, but she's not letting it go.
"Don't tell me you saw sense at last?" she asks, a snarky edge to her tone.
"This isn't like you," I tell her. I'm already tired from the internal battle I've fought all week, I don't have the strength to start again now.
"I guess I have a better memory than you," she says.
"I guess you don't know what it's like to be in love," I shoot back. "But then we both know that, don't we?" This silences her. It's Kate's pragmatic side that's held us apart over the years; love was never convenient enough to embrace.
"Would you have her overnight next Friday?" she asks without warning, head held high. "I have a date and I have no idea what time I'll be home."
"You have a date?"
I don't like this newsflash, however much of a hypocrite it makes me.
"Yes."
"Who is he?"
"None of your goddamn business."
We stand and glare angrily at one another. She's pissed at me and I'm pissed at the both of us; I never wanted this kind of relationship with the mother of my child.
"Friday's fine," I say at last. "Do you want me to pick her up?"
"No, I'll drop her off. Is five thirty okay?"
"No."
She looks taken aback.
"I have a client booked in at five." I explain. "Six thirty's the earliest I can be home."
"Can't you ask your mom to take her for an hour?"
I could, I guess.
"No," I say.
"You are being deliberately difficult," she accuses, keeping her voice low to avoid alarming Sasha, yet failing miserably to keep the venom out of it.
"If he's worth it, he'll understand," I say, patronizingly. She narrows her eyes.
"Are you jealous?" she asks in all seriousness. I laugh loudly, making Sasha jump. Her lower lip begins to tremble. Kate shushes her as she jiggles her up and down.
"You should leave," she says. "I'll text you during the week."
"Fine, I'll look forward to it," I say, sarcasm pooling around my words.
I reach my hands out for Sasha and bring her to my face for a kiss and an 'I love you, baby girl' and then I hand her back.
I don't say anything to Kate; I just turn and leave.
~S~