Cocococococococococo
By Friday, Stef's mood hadn't improved at all. She had spent the past week practically biting off the heads of anyone who dared to speak to her.
Sharon noticed that Stef wasn't spending any time with Lena anymore and was back to her 4 am wanderings and distant looks. Even Brandon could sense the change in her but somehow knew better than to comment on it.
Callie's party was coming up on Saturday and she was dreading it something awful. Sharon had volunteered to take Brandon present shopping for her and Stef had been so happy then so guilty for being happy at being able to avoid the Lena situation just one more day.
Lena had called and texted a few times but Stef just ignored them. She just couldn't get out of her head that Lena was spending time with a woman who she was preparing to have twins with and how happy Callie was to be with her Mommy again. She didn't think she could take the heartache if Lena told her that that was what she really wanted. So, instead she closed herself up again and waited for it all to go away.
Stef was giving Brandon a bath before his bedtime when there was a knock at the door. They all jumped as they weren't expecting company. Stef let her Mom answer the door and then she came into the bathroom and said, "Stef, it's for you. I'll finish up with Brandon and put him down."
Stef went to the door and there was Mike. She was instantly annoyed. "Mike, what do you want?"
"Well, I had wanted to come and get Brandon, but your Mom said he's on his way to bed right now. So, I figured I'd just wait out here and talk to you instead so I don't disturb him."
"His bedtime has been 8:30 for years and you show up at 8:20 to pick him up for the weekend? A weekend that, by the way doesn't belong to you. Yours was last weekend, remember? Oh, yea you can add that to the list of forgotten past few months' worth of weekends. He has a birthday party to go to tomorrow. And, what could you possibly think we have to talk about?"
"Stef, look, I'm really sorry about last week. It really was just a joke. This has been tough on me. Not having my family with me anymore. I realized I hadn't really apologized to you and I wanted you to know that I'm serious about making this work. I'm going to AA. I stopped drinking a few weeks ago. I'm really trying to turn things around. I'm busting my ass here to get my family back on the right track." Mike pleaded.
"I am not interested in your apologies Mike. You have one job to do. That's to be a good dad to your son. And you've done the shittiest job in the world at that. I'm happy, for your sake and Brandon's for you to turn yourself around because the path that you're on really does scare me. But, I am no longer a part of any of that."
"Look, Stef, I didn't come over here to fight. I know it's not my weekend and I don't mean to crash anything. Just… Could I come in and at least say goodnight? I promise I'll leave right afterward."
"Sure Mike. Do whatever you want. You always do." Stef said as she led him back into the apartment.
Her Mom had already gotten Brandon into his PJs and when she saw them coming, she decided to give them privacy.
As soon as Brandon saw his Dad, he flew at him. "Dad!"
"Hey B. How're ya?" Mike said picking Brandon up and bouncing him on the bed.
"I'm great! Tomorrow's Callie's birthday and we're going to have so much fun! Are you coming too Dad?"
"No,son. It'll just be you three tomorrow. That's why I wanted to come and see you tonight. Just to say goodnight since I won't see you for a few days."
"But, Dad. Callie won't care. Her Mommy came all the way from France just to come. Everyone's going to be there." Brandon said as his Dad continued to bounce him on the bed.
Mike looked over at Stef in askance. "Please Mommy."
She was not amused. Stef knew she had to act fast or she'd have a wreck of a little boy dragging around tomorrow. Great, Stef thought, Mike's riled him up even more than he already was. He was so excited about Callie's party as it was the first time he'd ever been invited anywhere. Stef knew it was going to be hard to get him down. She decided to use it to her advantage.
"Daddy has to leave. He just wanted to say goodnight to you. And tomorrow, is the party. But, if you can't settle down there's going to be no party for you."
Brandon knew arguing with his Mom would get him nowhere and she might make good on her threat to not let him go to the party. It was the most important that to happen to him in his life! It was his best friend's birthday party. He had to be there!
He started to climb under the covers and get himself settled in bed. "Goodnight Dad."
"Goodnight son. I'll see you in just a few days. Love you Brandon."
Stef waves him away and she grabs a book they had been reading for bedtime stories and sits next to his bed on the floor and begins to read to him.
On the way out, Mike sees the invitation for the party on the table. It specifically says that without the invitation, no one would be let in with no exceptions. He hatches a plan then, he snatches it and leaves.
Stef can't keep shutting him out!