Threads & Ties is creeping along. Here’s the latest installment.

NOTICE: This material is copyrighted, first draft, certainly contains errors, and possibly not even going to be in the final draft of anything. Do not quote or repost anywhere or in any format. Thanks.

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Jeff watched Nikki drive away and slowly closed the door, turning back toward the kitchen. There were dishes to be done.

“She had to leave kind of sudden-like, didn’t she, Dad?” How long had she been standing there?

“It seemed that way. Did you want something earlier?”

“Yeah. I decided I wanted some dessert after all and was going to join you.”

The look in her eyes indicated something more, but he couldn’t read it, “Oh. Well, it’s all still there. Want to join me? Afterward you can help with the dishes.” Seeing the face Cole made, Jeff laughed and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, “It won’t be that bad. You can choose whether you wash or dry, and rolling your eyes won’t get you anywhere.”

They ate the dessert in silence and cleared the table together. Cole, as usual, elected to dry. She only washed dishes if he was punishing her. They worked comfortably together, exchanging idle chitchat about each other’s week. Finally, Cole asked, “How can you like her?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, after what she did to you and me, how come you don’t hate her?”

“I don’t know how to explain it, Cole. I’ve always loved your mother. Someday, I hope you’ll understand what I’m saying. I hope you don’t have the hurt that goes with it, but I hope you love someone as much as I’ve always loved her. Some people think that’s foolish. I understand that, too. Sometimes, I think it’s foolish. It’s just the way it is.”

As Cole put the recently dried pans into the cupboard, she was shaking her head, clearly she seemed to think he’d lost his marbles somewhere, “Well, I don’t get it. I don’t think I want to see her again.”

Jeff drained the sink and wiped down the counter, “I respect that, but I have to tell you there’s a good chance you’ll have to see her again. As long as she wants to, we’re going to do more things together. That means you’ll have to spend time with her, too. I know your feelings, but you’re going to have to give it your best shot to make it work.”

“Great,” Cole draped the dishtowel over the oven handle, gave him a look of disgust, and said, “I’m going to read. Good night.”

“Hey, Cole?”

She stopped and turned slowly, “Yeah?”

“There’s always a let-down when you realize your parents aren’t superheroes. There’s a part of you that always wants them to be. But we’re not. We’re people. We try to protect our kids, but sometimes we fail. Sometimes we fail sooner than would be good for our kids. If you were lucky, you’d be nearly an adult before you realize your folks aren’t superheroes. It could have been much worse for you, even though it doesn’t seem that way right now. In fact, in her own way, I think your mother was trying to protect you by leaving — you might not be able to see that just now, but I do.”

She was looking at him like he’d suddenly started speaking Greek, “Yeah. Right. Abandoning your newborn is good for her. Got it. G’night, Dad.”

“Good night. See you in the morning.” He watched her leave with her back straight and stiff. This wasn’t going to be easy for any of them. He hoped it would be worth it.

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