Chapter 61

* * * *

Somehow, Tyler got through the week at work. He knew he was putting off the confrontation with Ward, but he just couldn’t bring himself to face the man. And, Ward, true to his word, had made no attempt to approach Tyler, no attempt to try to persuade him to change his mind, leaving the whole matter in Tyler’s hands.

On Friday evening, Tyler arrived at his parent’s home to pick up Eddie and Jack. When he came into the house they were watching television. Jack jumped up and ran to his dad. Tyler picked him up, hugged him, and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Eddie looked up at his father, said, “Hi,”, and went back to watching the show.

“No homework tonight?” Tyler asked, trying to engage his elder son.

“Done,” was Eddie’s response.

“Anything new at school?”

“Nope.”

Tyler sighed.

“I made a picture for you,” Jack said.

Tyler put the boy down. Jack went to his backpack lying next to the couch and unzipped it. Pulling out a sheet of manila art paper Jack ran back to Tyler and handed it to him.

When Tyler looked at the drawing his heart sank. Under the caption My Familywere two tall figures of men holding hands. On either side of the men stood a boy, one tall with yellow hair, the other dark haired and smaller. Each was holding the hand of the man next to him. Beside the smaller boy was a dog with a speech bubble that said, “Bow-wow.” Under the figures were the corresponding names: Addy, Jack, Ward, Daddy, Eddie. Tyler reached out and ran a finger over each of the names in turn.

He looked down, Jack was staring up at him. Usually when he was showing his accomplishments to Tyler he was smiling and his eyes danced with the anticipation of praise. But this time the smile was tentative and the eyes were pleading.

Tyler felt his eyes sting. “This is very nice, Jack,” he said, forcing down the lump in his throat.

He squatted beside his youngest son and put his arms around the boy. He knew Jack wanted him to say more but he didn’t know what he could say. Jack’s simple drawing had touched his heart. Tyler could hardly bear the thought that his decision about Ward was hurting Jack. But he knew in the long run he was doing what was right for them. At least he hoped he was.

Eddie leaned forward and looked at the picture, then up at Tyler. He snorted derisively and turned away.

“Can we put it on the fridge when we go home?” Jack asked.

“Sure,” Tyler managed, still trying to control his emotions.

Just then Tyler’s mom came into the room. “Hi, Tyler. I didn’t hear you come in. I was vacuuming the family room. Oh,” she paused. “I see Jack has shown you his picture.”

“Yes, he has,” Tyler said, rising and tousling Jack’s dark hair. He looked at his mother. “Can I talk to you for a minute? In the kitchen?”

Tyler and his mother left the room, leaving the boys to watch their show. When they got to the kitchen, Tyler turned to his mother. “How are they doing?”

His mother shrugged. “You saw the picture. They’re hurting, Tyler. Jack’s sad. He asks me every day if you’ll change your mind and you and Ward will get back together. Eddie’s angry. He won’t talk about it. When I try to get him to tell me how he’s feeling he just says, ‘Dad’s not being fair,’ and clams up.”

Tyler ran his fingers through his hair and sighed. He turned to his mother and asked, “I’m doing the right thing, aren’t I?”

“You have to do what you feel is best for you and the boys. What I think doesn’t matter. You have to make this decision on your own.”

* * * *

Later that evening, there was a knock on the door of Tyler’s home. Tyler opened it.

“Joe?” Tyler exclaimed in surprise.

“Joe!” came Jack’s voice from behind Tyler. The boy came running to the door and hugged Joe around the waist. Then he looked beyond the man and asked, “Is Ward here?”

“Ah, no. I made him get that lazy butt of his out to the barn and help with milking.”

“Oh,” Jack said sadly.

“Can I come in?” Joe asked Tyler.

“Sure,” Tyler said and stepped aside. He suspected what was coming—another sermon on what a mistake he was making with Ward.

“Hey, Eddie,” Joe said to the boy, who was playing a video game.

Eddie looked up. “Oh, hi.”

“What’cha playing?” Joe asked.