Ahoy Daddy!, page 9
“I don’t like it either, but I don’t want you to think I don’t appreciate what you’ve done for me, because I do. How much longer do you think you’re gonna be able to sell your life to the sea goddess for?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. I mean, it pays well. Beats the hell out of the job market in Seattle right now and going home to an empty house. I guess we’ll see how it goes while we’re on break. I’m not gonna say I’m not open to finding another local job, because I’m not. The issue is the fact I don’t know what I really want to do.”
That I understood more than she knew having just had the same conversation with Daddy.
Darcy and I snuggled underneath her favorite blanket, like we had so many times throughout our childhood and when my alarm clock went off, she helped me get ready to meet Daddy for our last pet play session.
What I didn’t expect to find was Daddy standing there waiting for me with a big gift bag in hand.
“Hello, Little Monkey. Are you ready to play?” I bounced up and down, my head bobbing with me and pointed at the bag. “Oh, this? This is for my special monkey and his little friend, Darcy.”
My Daddy was so sweet, he even thought of Darcy. That’s what a true Daddy was, a man who not only cared about his boy, but his boy’s friends and family. He wanted to meet my mom and have me meet his parents, too. That had to mean something, right? Not gonna lie, it was a lot and a bit scary, but it was also amazing to know that somebody liked me enough to show me off like that.
At the end of the night, all the pets gathered around. I wasn’t sure what was going on until they started hugging each other. Next thing I knew, they hugged me, too, and told me how much fun they had watching me. That filled my heart beyond words. I had been afraid I looked like a fool while playing, though during which I hadn’t cared. Flying, free floating as I hovered above my body, watching as I let go and had the time of my life. Knowing Daddy was there watching me was like wrapping the entire event in a pretty bow.
When I got back to the room, Darcy was still awake but hopped right up when she saw I had a gift bag. “What’s in the bag? What did your Daddy get you?”
“Us.”
“Huh?” She cocked her head to the side.
“Daddy said the stuff in the bag was for both of us.” When I looked inside there were two bags, one marked for me and one for Darcy.
She dug into hers with all the vigor of a kid on Christmas Day. “Look, Vale, crayons and coloring books, and an axolotl squishmallow. I love her so much,” she squeezed the rainbow and teal stuffie to her chest. “What did you get?”
“I got a new stuffy giraffe and a coloring book with animals and coloring pencils.”
“Your Daddy is silly. He did all of this for us. Tell him I said, thank you, please.” She began flipping through the pages of her new coloring book while I fired off a text to Daddy.
Me: Thank you so much for all our goodies. Darcy is already coloring in her new book and is glued to her stuffie.
I took a picture of her and sent it to him.
Daddy: She’s adorable. I’m glad you both like your gifts.
Me: We love them and thank you so much for including Darcy. She’s been sad and you made her smile.
Daddy: Glad to help but did my boy smile too?
Me: I can’t stop.
I flipped the phone around and took a picture of my face and sent it to Daddy.
Me: See
Daddy: Yes I do. There’s my Sweet Monkey.
Me: Send me a picture of you please and make sure I take one of us together tomorrow for my screen saver.
A couple seconds later a picture of Daddy in bed without a shirt on came through. I couldn’t wait until I could fall asleep with my head on his fuzzy chest.
Me: My Daddy’s so handsome.
Daddy: And my boy is so beautiful but it’s past his bedtime.
Me: Night, Daddy.
Daddy: Night, Sweet Boy.
Chapter Ten
Jack
“Don’t cry, Little Monkey. I promise when you get off the ship I’ll be there waiting for you. Until then, we can email, text, and video chat as often as you can.” Jesus, this was the hardest fucking thing I’d ever had to do, leaving my boy. Brought together by a random twist of fate and one I’d forever thank those very fates for.
“I’m going to miss you so much, Daddy.” Vale sniffled. “This sucks.”
“Yes, it does but, Vale,” he glanced up at me. “I love you, and I promise you’re the only one for me. My perfect boy.”
He burst into tears, crying harder than he had been. “I. Love. You. Too,” he got each word out between sobs.
This was killing me.
“I’ll sneak out on deck and wave goodbye.”
I had zero doubts he would do that, and I’d comb the crowd until I found him.
“Remember, my love, this isn’t goodbye forever, it’s merely a goodbye, I’ll see you soon.” But damned if it didn’t feel otherwise. My boy washed his face and with a final kiss he was off, and I returned to packing. Far too soon it was done, and my thoughts were once again consumed with all things Vale. At least once I was gone, he wouldn’t have to sneak around, breaking rules and he’d have more time to spend with Darcy.
Speaking of Darcy, a meeting with Ms. Vivienne, the owner of Blush and the very one who’d sponsored this event, was in order. Vivienne and I went way back, before club days. Two young college kids with big dreams and delusions of grandeur, though not as delusional as we’d once thought given our dreams had become a reality. Not many were as lucky as we were, but I was a silent partner, in finance only in Blush, and wishing my friend all the happiness I’d found in my boy, and the best way to do that was to find her a girl of her own.
I believed I’d just met her perfect little.
I woke in the middle of the night as soon as I heard the door open and close, and the sweet voice I longed to hear whispered, “It’s me, Daddy. Don’t be scared.”
“Sweet boy, what are you doing here? It’s three a.m.”
“I know, but we’re collecting all the luggage and of course I have my rooms to do, but I wanted to run in and give you a kiss and a big hug. I’m gonna miss you so much.” Vale wrapped his arms around my neck.
“I’m gonna miss you, too, sweetheart, more than you know.” I tugged him down onto the bed with me and started tickling him.
“Daddy! Daddy! I still have a bunch of luggage to pick up, but I just couldn’t come by and grab yours and not say anything.”
“Well, I’m glad you did. I don’t want you to get into trouble, but one last stolen moment makes my heart happy.”
“I love you so much, Daddy.”
“I love you, Little Monkey.” We kissed for a few minutes before our time ended abruptly. At this point it wasn’t worth trying to sleep anymore, not that I had been. I got up and dressed and went to breakfast in my designated area, leaving a hearty tip for the staff before I disembarked. Two long hours it took to get off the ship given the amount of passengers doing the same thing. As soon as I was, I felt my boy’s eyes on me and glanced up to scan the crowd out on the deck. I didn’t dare yell his name because everyone around him was a crew member but as soon as I spotted him, I blew him a kiss and tapped my heart. My way of letting him know I loved him, and he did the same.
I made my way to the luggage carousel and once I’d collected mine, met the Uber driver at the pick-up stand. The drive home was somber. I’m sure most were happy to be on their way home, reflecting on the fantastic cruise they’d had, ready to share it with their friends and family. For me, the fact I’d left a piece of my heart on that ship and only one person could bring it back to me was a somber memory.
Through the heavy Seattle traffic, we finally got across the river and into Bellevue and pulled up in front of my building. The driver kindly helped me out with my luggage and as soon as I stepped inside the elevator, the loneliness hit me. Through all these months I’d spent alone, I never felt lonelier than I did then. Now that I had someone to share my life with, I wanted to. No longer content to be the bachelor I once was.
I unpacked, started a load of laundry and took inventory of what was in the cupboards and fridge, then placed a grocery delivery order. It was too early for a glass of wine, though I really wanted one. Instead, I dialed my mother.
“How’s my world traveling son today?”
“Well, good morning to you, too, Mother Dearest. Didn’t travel the world so much as down to the Hawaiian Islands and back up.”
“Do you hit any storms? Have any fun? Meet a man?”
My mother the match maker, always hoping to pair me up.
“No storms, had fun, met the love of my life.” And I left it at that, knowing full well that her wheels were spinning like a mother fucker right then.
“What? No? Don’t tease your mother. You know I have a bad ticker.”
“Woman, you are such a liar. You’re in better health than I am.”
“Tsk. That is not true. So, when do we get to meet this man that stole your heart?”
“Ugh, therein lies the problem. Vale is one of the crew and only sixteen days into a four-month contract. But Mom, you’re gonna love him.” Without out a doubt, she’d fall for him as quickly as I had but in a motherly way.
“Sounds like my son needs a mother’s ear and maybe even a hug.”
“Both, please. I was thinking about coming up this weekend.”
“Repack your bags, grab the groceries I know you just ordered, and get your ass out here.”
Hardy laughter burst from me. My mother was something special. Gods how I loved that woman. “All right, Mommy Dearest. I’m doing some laundry now. How about I head your way tomorrow?”
“Let me know when you get on the ferry, and I’ll tell your father to fire up the grill and throw the meat on.”
“I love you, Mom.”
“I love you, too, baby boy. We’ll see you tomorrow. Can’t wait to hear all about your mister.”
One more call to make.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the elusive Mr. Jack Barrett. Back from your cruise already?” My assistant’s chipper voice reminded me of one of the many reasons why I’d hired her over a decade ago.
“Hello, Diana. Did I miss anything? The building burn down?” Even though I checked in with her while I was on the cruise, and of course, she reminded me there was nothing to worry about, I still felt the urge to call.
“You know the answer to that, Jack. Will you be gracing us with your presence tomorrow?”
“Do you need me to?” She didn’t, but part of being a good boss was asking.
“Hmm, if I didn’t know any better, I would think you were trying to get out of work. Did the workaholic have some sort of epiphany while out to sea?” Ever the inquisitive friend she was.
“Something like that. I was thinking about heading out to Whidbey for a few days to spend some time with my parents.”
“That sounds like a great idea. I’ve got a couple of contracts for you to review. I’ll send them via email, and you can sign and send them back. Otherwise, everything’s running smoothly. Sooo…” She drug the word out and I knew exactly what would come next. “Did you meet anyone special?”
Sometimes I swore Diana and my mother were of the same brain. “As a matter of fact, I did.”
“Don’t lie to me. Jack, I’ve worked for you long enough to know you better.” That woman could sniff out bullshit a mile away.
“Now, would I lie to my favorite girl?”
“Cute, but seriously?”
“Yes, seriously, I met someone. His name is Vale. He’s part of the crew and he’s still under contract with the cruise line for a couple of months while I’m back here wallowing in loneliness.” Oh no, my turn for a pity party.
“Okay, who is this and what have you done with Jack Barrett? Do I need to call the authorities?”
“Ha-ha-ha. There’s a reason why I’ve kept you on the payroll, Diana, it’s your witty charm and subservient demeanor.” That latter of which she was not.
“Subservient my ass. No, it’s my ability to put up with you, grouchy pants, and you know it.”
“No denying that, although I’ve felt a change in the wind. But yes, once he’s back on dry land we’ll I’ll go out for dinner. Sound like a plan?”
“Sounds like a plan, boss. Look for those contracts in the next ten or fifteen minutes. Tell your parents I said hi.”
“Will do and as always, Diana, thank you for everything you do. I really appreciate you.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Appreciate me in my next bonus. Goodbye, loverboy.”
As the laundry finished, rather than putting it away, right back in the luggage it went. I glanced around my condo seeing it through fresh eyes. Bland, boring, stale. How had I never bothered to decorate before or really turn it into a home? It was as though I had one foot out the door the entire time I’d lived here. Should I bother to decorate now? Make it more comfortable for when Vale came over? Though in reality I couldn’t picture us here long-term. Hell, at this point I hardly pictured myself here.
Vale and I here?
Wow, how far ahead of our new relationship could I get?
There was no denying the thoughts I’d had of us in a house where he could monkey around, for lack of a better descriptive. What would it take to build an indoor gym with a rock wall? Maybe those metal bars we had in grade school that you swung along on. I could see him swinging from handle to handle. Actually, that would be a great piece of workout equipment for both of us.
The wheels turned at an alarming rate.
With those thoughts fresh in my mind, I booted up my laptop, poured a glass of wine and dove into a new home search. There had to be houses around here with gyms already in them for sale. Or ones with the space to add a gym. Having any outdoors would diminish usage to three months of the year here. Seattle rain and all of that. My condo had a great view of Lake Washington, which was the reason I purchased it, but now I wanted a place for two. How was it I spent my life in and out of dating, never once had I envisioned a future with another yet now that was all that I saw?
Life without Vale wasn’t an option for me, and I’d do whatever it took to ensure his happiness.
I loved my parents’ place on Whidbey. Five acres of land. A gorgeous two-story, thirty-five-hundred square foot house. Five bedrooms, three bathrooms. Way too big for them, though they did love to entertain and it was nice that I had my own room there. I wondered what Vale would think of living on the island. That idea opened a secondary home search, one for north of Seattle and up to Anacortes, and now another for Whidbey.
Maybe it would be best to buy land and build the house of our dreams.
That night as I lay awake in bed, unable to shut my brain down, I shot off a text to Vale.
Me: I hope you’re doing okay.
Cheesy? Maybe…
I tossed and turned all night, well aware it could be hours if not days before I’d hear back from him. He had the job from hell, really, and ran nonstop. Finally, I dozed off and when I woke the first thing I did was reach for my phone.
Vale: Sorry it took so long to get back to you. Today has been miserable. We worked sixteen hours then when we got back to the room we both passed out. How was your day? You’re probably sleeping. I hope I didn’t wake you. Love you!
My sweet, thoughtful boy. It’d only been twenty-four hours since I last saw him, and I missed his rambling.
Me: My day was boring. Today I’m going to visit my parents and stay for a few days. Love you too, Monkey.
After a quick shower, I grabbed my bag, hit my favorite coffee shop and was on my way to catch the ferry out of Mukilteo. Once boarded, I went above deck and snagged a window seat and took a couple of pictures for Vale. I loved gazing out at the Sound every time I rode the ferries. The views of the islands were amazing. I loved living here. Washington was a gorgeous state with so much to offer between fishing, outdoor activities, wine tasting—the options to fill one’s time were never ending. As soon as I sat, Vale texted back.
Vale: I love the pictures. So pretty. I’ve only been to Whidbey once and I loved it. We went to this red barn place. I remember there was a swing set outside I played on while my mom shopped.
Me: Yes. I always stop on the way to my parents’ and pick up wine and cheese there. I’ve often thought of having a home on the island.
Thought I’d throw that out there and get his thoughts on it.
Vale: That would be amazing but so far for me to come and see you.
Me: That’s a minor detail that’s easily remedied.
I bet my parents would love having Vale’s mother around. Probably a good idea to bring her out and meet them first. Maybe at the same time I brought Vale. There was plenty of room at my parents’ house for a weekend meet and greet and we could take them to all our favorite places.
Then I could spring the whole moving to the island proposal to Vale.
Proposal…
Did that word just enter my head?
Talk about a whirlwind romance. Slow your roll, Jack.
A true mirrored image of my father I was.
Maybe a mother-in-law suite could be added to the plans. Good God, was I getting ahead of myself. Jack, you’ve lost your fucking mind. Mother-in-law suites, houses with property. I shook my head and laughed. Anyone near me had to think I was insane right now. They couldn’t hear my thoughts, but they could see my reactions. Yet I couldn’t shake any of them because they felt so right. Like, bone deep rightness. Vail and I haven’t even really dated, and I was already so far gone there were no reins to stop my forward motion by.
The familiar red barn came into view. I pulled in and parked and snapped a picture as I walked up to it, then sent it off to Vale, he’d get a kick out of that. I perused the wine and cheese and made a few selections to share with my parents. As soon as I drove up to their house, Mom came running out of the front door.
