The Nuclear Family - Chapter 8

[:::: Authors Note ::::]

Originally, I had included this small chapter as part of the previous one; however, I think that while brief, it really lays the foundation for what’s to come in the next chapter and positions Part II.

Currently, I am beginning the initial review of my Part II draft.  What I want to do is give it a two-week break between Part I and Part II, ensure I complete the raw edit of my version 2 draft, and then start posting, so Part II can be released every week.

Also, thanks, FM crew, for the feedback on Disrespect and DNA.  When I have a break, I’ll incorporate all your input and work towards releasing a version for everyone.

Also, thank you to those who have reached out and encouraged me to relax.  I plan to do a little of that in September, though I do find writing when I am not worried about work to be relaxing.

Cheers

John.

[:::: Go back to Chapter 7 ::::]

Dinner that night was interesting to say the least. First, as we enjoyed our delicious Thai food, accompanied by generous helpings of rice and sauce, Toni and I told Darren all about the visit from Joanna and Amy.

“You know,” he said, brandishing his fork around like a baton. “It doesn’t surprise me that they did something like this.  They are just the type to bully their way in.”

He turned to Toni.

“How close did you come to bitch slapping them?”

I just about snorted my beer at that comment. Toni barked a laugh, then smiled and put her thumb and forefinger close together in front of her face.

“But only Robbie’s sister, Georgia’s sister, Amy, was devastated. She had no idea what had been happening.”

Darren looked at me, and I nodded.

“Seriously, Robbie, your sister is a bitch,” Toni told me.

“You will get no complaints from me,” I replied.

“She barged in here and started in on Robbie from the moment I opened the door,” Toni explained to her partner. “She even accused Robbie of sleeping with me.”

Darren raised an eyebrow at that.

“As if he were that lucky,” she said before either Darren or I could fill the awkward pause.

The three of us burst out laughing.  Toni then turned to me.

“So what happened with Amy after I left?”

I think I blushed a little as a moment later, Toni’s eyes went wide.

“No,” she said, scandalised.  Both Darren and I looked at her, and it took me a moment, but she had figured it out.

“Kinda,” I told her. “It's… complicated.”

“No doubt,” Toni said, snorting.

For the next twenty minutes, I told both of them how Amy and I went to lunch and how she then dropped the bomb on me about moving away with her.

“So, do you think she’s serious? Could she help like that?” Darren asked, once I explained what she said she would do if I ran away with her.

“I’m not sure,” I responded. “None of us knows what she does.  All we know is that it was a few years ago.  She got a job that requires her to travel frequently.  She lives somewhere on the Sunshine Coast, driving down to see family every few months.  If she can afford that, I think she may help me relocate at the very least.  I’m not sure about the legal, but she tells me she wants a chance to win me over since I won’t be getting back together with Georgia.”

Toni snorted, placing her chopsticks for the Pad-Si-Ew we were eating on the plate.  “Robbie, that girl is head over heels for you.”

Darren turned towards his long-time girlfriend.

“How do you know?” he asked.

“A girl knows these things,” she said cryptically. Then she sighed and expanded, “When talk, dark and handsome here outlined why he left Georgia and the reasons why to his sister, Amy fell to the ground crying.  But it wasn’t because her sister was put out.  She was sobbing with her eyes glued to Robbie, her hands clenching over her heart.”

Toni turned to look at me.

“Robbie, if I am reading it right, she has had a thing for you for a long time.”

I nodded in reply. “She admitted as much at lunch today. I’ve obviously known Amy for years.  She was seventeen when we met.  Not much more than a young woman.  I can admit I always thought she was cute.  But I was dating and then married her sister; she was off limits.”

Both Toni and Darren nodded.  I used one of my chopsticks to push a small piece of broccoli around my plate.

“But let's say her offer to help and even that she wants to pursue a relationship with me is genuine.  Is the fact that she is Georgia’s sister, let alone am I ready for another relationship, make it the right thing to do, or would it just be a rebound?” I told them. “I mean, the divorce will be complete soon, regardless.”

I picked up the vegetable and popped it in my mouth. Toni snorted.

“Robbie,” she said in a tone that almost sounded like a lecture. “How long have we known you?”

“Perhaps eight, no, nine years,” I responded.

“Long enough,” Toni nodded.  “Well, mister clever-clogs, let me tell you, that girl ain't no rebound. Sure, you’re hurting, but something tells me you let that girl into your heart. She is never going to let you go. So while I would hate to see you leave us here, I think you should take the chance.”

Both Toni and I looked at Darren.  He took a sip of his beer and pushed his finished plate away from him, the remains of the Thai food that Toni had prepared consumed.

“I think I’ve met this girl a couple of times. If I remember right, shorter than Georgia, really dark hair, and really stacked, unlike her sister.” I chuckled; Toni playfully hit him in the arm. 

“I think I agree with Toni that she does have a thing for you.  Though, even if it's all horseshit.  Besides us, your amazing friends, nothing is keeping you here, no job, no family.  You may never get an opportunity like this again.  I think I am with Toni.  Go, run away with Amy.”

By the time we retired that evening, I still wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but I couldn’t deny that there was chemistry between Amy and me.  Our conversation flowed without effort, except when we discussed my family. But that was more the circumstances rather than just not talking.

Amy was attractive, at least moderately successful and offering me a safe haven away from family.

That Darren and Toni were for it had me leaning towards yes, and as I fell asleep, I was looking for reasons to say no.

[:::: End of Chapter 8 ::::]

[:::: Go to Chapter 9 ::::]

[:::: Find all chapters at: The Nuclear Family story page ::::]

[:::: Read any of John’s Stories on John’s Story Guide ::::]