“Bridget…Thank you for trying to be a good friend right now, but that is probably not a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“Honestly, because Vicky wouldn’t like it.”
“I don’t understand? What was it only fine because we were in Minnesota? If that’s the case, we can meet in Minnesota. I don’t want to lose our friendship, Jason.”
“Bridget, it probably wasn’t a good idea in Minnesota either. Look, I don’t want to hurt your feelings but I love my wife and us being friends would hurt her. I’ve done enough of that lately.”
She started to stutter, “but, but Jason…I know you’re going through a lot. I just want to be there for you.”
“And, I thank you for that but that’s what Vicky is for.”
Bridget no longer tried to mask her frustration and anger. “Well, fine then! One day you’re going to wish you’d chosen me.”
The next thing Jason heard was a dial-tone. He shook his head. It was all for the best. As he drove home he passed one of Angel’s favorite toy stores. Jason immediately turned the car around and decided she deserved a gift. After all, Angel had lost a little brother too. He knew she didn’t fully understand everything but it would be impossible for her not to have some kind of feelings about it. Even her beautiful smile hadn’t been as bright. Jason hoped this might put the spark back into it.
He came out of the store with a fluffy brown teddy bear probably as big as Angel. It wore a pink necklace and had large brown eyes framed in extra long lashes. They were just like hers. That is what made him think to get it in the first place. He couldn’t wait to see the expression on his little girls face when he gives it to her.
Right next door to the toy shop was a jewelry store. Although Vicky and his relationship had been strained he wanted to do something to put a smile back on her face too.
Buying Vicky a present wasn’t nearly as easy as buying Angel one. Although there were some beautiful pieces, nothing seemed to feel right. The saleswoman saw his frustration and hoped she could assist him.
“Excuse me. Can I help you find something?”
“Actually, yes you can. I want to buy a gift for my wife; Nothing too big or flashy but something ‘special’.”
“I think I have just the right thing. It just came in yesterday and I haven’t even put it on the floor yet. Let me go and grab it.”
While Jason was waiting for the saleswoman to come back another customer entered.
“Jason? Jason Rutherford is that you?”
Jason turned around to see Michael Soloman. He was on the short list of several people Jason had no desire to see.
Michael forced a smile “It’s been a while. Thought we might all get together last week in Minnesota but Bridgette explained. The press can be rough. How are you doing?”
“We’re good…you and Wendy?”
“Wendy’s great. You know Jason, we’re still your friends and we just want the best for you. We hate to see you going through so much. Our condolences on the loss of your son. But, it’s good to know that you and Bridgette are re-connecting too.”
Jason’s hair stood up over his body. He was tense, “Our families are old friends.”
Michael didn’t realize he was treading on thin ice. Jason swallowed hard because he knew it was all bullshit. Especially, since none of his so-called friends even showed up to the funeral or even sent a condolence card. Strangers had shown more empathy.
The sales representative came out of the back, “I’m sorry it took me so long but here it is! I love this piece.”
Jason turned back to see what she’d brought out from the back. It was beautiful. It was a delicate white-gold necklace with a pair of love birds entwined into the word ‘love’.
“It’s…perfect. I’ll take it.”
Jason gave the clerk his credit card and she happily went to take care of his sale and wrap the necklace up.
Michael clasped Jason’s back, “Well…Bridgette never really got over you.”
“Michael, Bridget and I are just friends…nothing more and nothing less.”
Michael looked as if he didn’t believe him “Well, everything happens for a reason. And, it does seem like you’ve been getting better press lately. I’m sure you probably never expected to have all these ‘baby daddy’ issues when you married Vicky.”
Jason turned around so fast and snatched Michael up by his jacket and hemmed up against one of the jewelry cases.
“You insensitive bastard. Are you trying to say that it was a good thing to lose my son to get better press? Or, that I shouldn’t have married Vicky?”
Michael tried to wiggle out of Jason’s iron clasp grip. “Don’t take your regrets out on me! What did you expect when you married her? My biggest surprise is that she managed to dupe you and Ryan Carter. Whatever she has between her legs must be made out of gold.”
Jason hit Michael in the jaw so hard that it knocked his body backwards almost over the jewelry case.
“Please…please not in my store. Please stop!”
The sound of the store clerk’s frantic voice jarred Jason out of his angry haze.
“You might want to think very carefully next time you say anything about my wife or me.”
Jason apologized to the clerk, took his package, and left the store.
*****
Jason took the long route home. He didn’t want to bring that energy home with him. When he finally arrived home, he went directly into his study. Jason
