Chapter 11

James got home and opened the door; he expected his wife to check out who it was that opened the door, but he heard nothing.

"Honey," he called out but got no reply. "Mary!"

He looked around the house, from the kitchen to the living room to the guest room but there was no sign of her.

He decided to go to his bedroom upstairs and got to the door of his room when he heard water pouring in the bathroom and smiled.

He entered the room and sank into his bed without removing his clothes or shoes.

Mary came out of the bathroom after some minutes and was almost scared to death when she saw someone in their bed.

"Fuck!" she shouted, bringing James out of his thoughts.

"You scared the shit out of me," she said.

"No, you scared the shit out of me," James replied as he smiled.

"Can you imagine what I was thinking when I came in, with the door unlocked and called your name without getting a response?"

"I'm sorry," she said sheepishly as she flushed and then smiled.

James also smiled.

"So, how was work?" she asked.

"The question should be, how was basketball?" he replied.

"Basketball?" she asked.

"Yeah. Just about an hour after I got to the office, an investor called me about this idea he had and gave me the location of some games center where we could discuss while playing."

"So, you had a great time?" she asked.

"I would not say that. I don't like the game and I most certainly do not like the man though, I have no choice but to put up with him," he replied.

"And how was his idea?"

"Shit as usual," he said, "one of those people who think they know how a company is supposed to be run because they put a considerable amount of money into it."

"Seems like you really had a bad day," Mary said. "Would you like something to eat?"

"I'm not hungry," he replied, "I had something to eat there before I left."

"Something to drink?" she asked.

"Thanks, but no, I just want to sleep,"

"You can start by removing your shoes," she said, smiling.

"Help me?" he pleaded as he shook both legs in the air playfully.

"Your mom must have had enough of you because so have I," she joked.

"You have no idea."

"Is Sunday's dinner still on?" she asked as she removed the shoe on his right leg.

"I think so."

"You think so?" she asked as she momentarily stopped what she was doing.

"I've not been able to contact Paul," he said.

"You think he knows it's you?"

"I know he knows."

"I told you that it was a bad idea," she said.

"He'll come around, I know he will," he said reassuringly.

"And Pete?" she asked.

James laughed. "He'll do whatever I tell him to do."

"Your tone made that sound like it's a bad thing," she said.

"Not having a mind of your own is bad," James said.

"And that's why you prefer Paul?" Mary asked.

"One of the reasons," he replied.

"I never thought I would see the day where a parent is mad at their kid for obeying them," she said as she placed the pair of shoes on the shoe rack.

"That was not what I meant, and you know it."

"Pete respects you more than Paul! But whatever you say."

"You're closer to Pete," he said, smiling, "but I'm his father"

"Not all fathers know how to take care of their kids," she said. "You are behaving like a guy who runs after girls who play hard to get but discards the ones that easily show their interests in him."

"It seems like we're about to have those once in a blue moon argument over something trivial."

"This isn't trivial," Mary said, "this is about treating your son with the respect he gives to you."

"You're sure he's not giving me the respect so the company can be his when I'm gone?"

"If that's what you think, I wish you all the best. I hope you rethink though," Mary said before leaving the room.

James was happy it was over, he was tired and some minutes after his wife left the room, he slept and snored softly.