A Little Fatherly Advice
Michael Stanley parked in front of Millie’s and walked over to Richie’s office, he checked his watch thinking he might invite Miss Peeg to lunch after he’d seen Richie.
“Hello Michael,” Richie came around his desk and shook hands, “have a seat.”
“Thanks, Richie,” Michael settled himself, “I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am that things have worked out like they have between you and my daughter. I had hoped the reconciliation might have worked.”
“Yeah well obviously it didn’t.”
“How are you, are you making it all right I know it must have come as a shock to you, it shocked me somewhat.”
“It was a shock, not something I was expecting but um I’m doin’ okay, moved my stuff out into a storage building. I’m bunking over at Millie’s right now.”
“Any idea where you’re going, house, flat?”
“No I haven’t really looked into that yet, there aren’t any flats in The Glen, if I stay here I’ll have to build.”
“I suppose most of that sort of housing would be found in Coffs Harbor, too bad about the flat above your office here, it would have been ideal.”
“Yeah but it’s let, I uh wouldn’t touch that.”
“I’ve been quite fond of you Richie, that of course has not changed and I wanted you to know that I’m around if you need me, want to talk or anything of that nature.”
“Thanks Michael I appreciate that, I think a lot of you too. I’m not sure there’s anything to talk about its kinda cut and dried. She came by here the other day and we talked and got some things settled. How to divide stuff up you know.”
“Shame isn’t it that it comes down to who gets what. Myself I lost it all or gave it away. It seemed the easiest thing to do with me living here and it served to speed things up. Antiquated laws here I believe it’s a year you have to wait?”
“Yeah, year’s separation then you file.”
“So you’re going to stay on then, not go back to the States.”
“I burnt my bridges when I left there so yeah I’ll stay on, this is home now. I got a good practice goin’ here, I’ll do all right.”
“I only spoke briefly with Toni since she’s been back, I’m going out there to dinner tonight. Have you ah talked to Mike let him know what’s happened?”
“Um no, I haven’t let him know anything yet. I probably will talk to Laurie first, his mother. We were going to have him over during his school break but that’s out now.”
“Why would that be out, you can’t still see him, have him here with you?”
“It’s kinda difficult with me staying at Millie’s.”
“Hmm, well that’s up to you of course. I shouldn’t leave it too long Richie, he needs to be a part of your life. I am speaking from experience you know, Gerry is coming this weekend. A stepfather is just that to a young man when his father is still alive and you should keep that in mind.”
“I keep in touch, we email back and forth.”
“I’ve yet to see a good honest hug pass over the internet. I’m not trying to tell you what to do, just reminding you in this time of turmoil not to forget you have a son.”
“Right.”
“Well I must go, where have you sent Miss Peeg off to I had hoped to take her to lunch.”
“She went to the post office in Coffs, she should be back in oh fifteen minutes or so.”
“I’ll be over at Andy’s, let her know will you?”
“Sure, and ah thanks for coming by Michael, I’ll stay in touch.”
“Do that Richie, I’ll see you soon.”
Michael left and Richie sat back down thinking now about Mike, how many chalk marks in the failure column could he make. He looked at the clock on the wall trying to figure out the time difference. He decided he’d call Laurie in a couple of hours and let her know and then he’d deal with Mike. Michael was right of course; until he’d moved his things out of the house he hadn’t given him a thought. But he had when he’d walked into the room Toni made for him. He thought he didn’t deserve a kid. Richie got up and walked outside the office and lit a cigarette.
