Dad's Day Out part 14
Bo locked the door and turned to face Nora, who was sitting on the bed. He had his hands on his hips and she knew by the stance that he was ready to deal with a serious discussion.
Bo: Alright, what did you want to talk about?
Nora: Bo…I…um…
Bo: Ok, now that you've had your say, you listen to me.
Nora sat on the bed, looking a bit miffed that he didn't give her a chance to speak.
Bo: We have been going round and round with this situation for what, almost seven months now? I've had it. You can't get past the fact that you were thrown into a bizarre situation and forced to raise our son in an unorthodox manner. That is the bottom line here? Big hairy deal! (he throws his hands in the air) I've been patient, I've allowed you to reprimand my ways, and I've sat and watched you totally run the show as far as Matthew goes. And if you think for one minute you are going to now sit here and cry to me about how hard it all is, and how you don't think its working, well, you got another thing coming lady!
Nora's eyes widened. What was he getting at? What did he think she was going to say? She thought to herself, maybe this is what will help, him getting out of his system, maybe she needed to hear the harsh reality of her behavior. She sat and listened to him rant.
Bo: I'm sick of saying this, God I am so sick of saying this but, for the last time and final time I will ever say it…When I laid in that apartment I had tons of time (he walks across the room, waving his arms outward to accentuate the grandiose amount of time he was speaking of) to think of us, our lives, our marriage, our joys and sorrows, our divorce, our anger (pacing across the room back towards the bed and raising his voice, Nora watched him intently) our mistakes…all of it! And you know what kept rising to the top? What kept forcing itself to the forefront of my mind? Do you know?
He was standing above her, looking down. She had never seen this much raw emotion out of him. He was at the bare bottom of his heart, it couldn't get any more honest than this.. She saw a fire in his eyes that for a moment scared her.
Nora: (quietly) No.
Bo: Love! The fact that the last thing I said to you was I couldn't forgive you and the last thing you told me was to forgive Lindsay! That was love…I knew…damn it Nora, your love for me was so unbelievably unconditional! What could have been your final thoughts, words, anything in this world, was for me to forgive Lindsay!…I knew right then and there, I knew that what you and I had was more powerful than anything, Sam or Lindsay or Colin for that matter, more powerful than any of them could do to it! I love you! That is what I repeated over and over…in my head, out loud, screaming it to myself as lay alone wondering if you were thinking of me, or even if you were alive! When Lindsay told me you were, but you had moved on, I never once let it break my spirit…it gave me even more determination! Now not only did I have to get back to you…I had to win you back!
He walked over to the window and looked out. The night was clear and the warm breeze carried the scent of the blossoming lilacs
Bo: (quiter, letting some of the anger go) When I saw you and Matthew and Vicki at the park, I wanted so bad to walk over to you and take you in my arms, but I knew it wasn't the time. Not there. But when I found where you lived and you opened the door…Red, my heart exploded…all the pain, all the fear, all the time I was in that apartment washed away when I looked into your eyes…my God it was the most wonderful feeling I could remember. Your eye…I hoped as I knocked on that door that it would be you and that love would still be there. I couldn't wait to hold you…to tell you it was ok….we were going to be ok…
Nora: Bo…I never knew how much you went through…
He walks over to the bed and again stands above her, looking down, he takes her hand and pulls her up so they are looking in each other's eyes.
Bo: We are ok…I am a good father…I want to be
a good husband
Nora: You are an exceptional husband
Bo: Then why can't you trust me with Matthew?
He puts his hands gently on her face and looks at her face.
Bo: Why can't you trust me? Why do you think it won't work? (pausing) Nora, I can't live with out you…I won't let you go…I won't…I can't
Nora: Bo…(she has tears in her eyes)
Bo: Why can't you trust in this? (He slowly kisses her, full on the lips, holding back nothing)
When he finally stops, he stands resting his forehead against hers.
Bo: (quietly) We finally have a chance to do it all right, everything…the house, the family, if your going to tell me you want out, you might as well take my revolver and put it to my head…I don't want to live.
Nora: (crying and letting out a small giggle) Bo…Bo…out?
I want out? Are you insane?
Never…never in a million years was that even in my thoughts!
God Bo…I love you more than ever…I want us…I want
our family…I want it all and more!
They sit down on the bed together. Bo holds her hands in his as they both cry and laugh and look into each other's eyes. After a few moments Bo speaks
Bo: Then what were you going to say that you didn't want Matthew to hear?
Nora: I wanted to tell you that first I apologize for this afternoon. That was not the counseling I intended for us to have. She was a bit over kill on advocacy….(she laughs)
Bo: A bit? (Bo puts his hand on her cheek) I love you so much, and it kills me to see you going through this self-torment.
Nora: (touching his hand on her face) that leads me to what I have to say next… (she stands and walks across the room)
Bo: I thought this was going to be ok….we were going to be ok…you walking over there is not a very reassuring move…
Nora: I'm just a little worried of how you're going to handle this next part…
Bo: Whatever it is…we'll work it out. (he walks over to her and hugs her)
Nora: (hugging him tightly) I want to go away, to Chicago to see Suzanne…
Bo: (pulls away and looks in her eyes and speechless) I…I…but we…Matthew is already going away for the summer….I…Nora…
Nora: Hold on…I've thought this out, I am not jumping into anything…
Bo: But if you take him now, and then he's going to be there all summer…
Nora: That is why I am not taking him…he's staying here with his father…
Bo: Are you sure?
Nora: Yes.
Bo: (totally excited) Oh baby…I mean...no, don't get
me wrong…I don't want to be away from you…
.
Nora: I know…I know exactly what you mean…no hard feelings.
Bo: Nora, I will be there for you whenever…if you need me, you call. Any time, day or night…I will be there. If you need anything…
Nora: (taking a deep breath) I need to know I can leave and you and Matthew will be ok. I know you are a good father; I need to prove it to myself, that I won't fall apart and worry myself to death…
Bo: We'll be great!
Nora: I also need you to hold me right now, because now that I got this all out, I'm a bit overwhelmed at the reality of it all.
Bo: You got it…
They stand in the middle of their bedroom, holding each other.
Bo: Have you talked to Suzanne yet?
Nora: I called her house, but she wasn't in….I'm sure it will be no problem. I just have to give her a heads up on the plan…
Bo: You know how much I'll miss you? (he runs his fingers through her silky hair) I love you so much Red…
Nora: I think I have an idea how much…(she kisses him and leads him towards the bed) why don't you come over her and remind me?
Bo follows her lead and they have a pretty intense make out session on the bed.
Bo: (between kisses) We're gonna be ok Red. We are, I know it.
Nora had a hard time leaving Matthew and Rachel. Bo's heart broke as she boarded the plane to Chicago. She look terrified. Like a child being taken from her family. He held her for what seemed like hours before she finally had to walk to the plane. He stood and waited for the plane to taxi out of the terminal. Once she was safely on her way, he called Rachel, who was at home with Matthew. Since her flight was at 6:15 in the morning, they decided to leave him at home. Also a safeguard against any last minute cancellations. After hanging up with Rachel, Bo called Suzanne to let her know Nora was on her way and that it went a tad better than he expected. Suzanne asked Bo to not call Nora while she was there, she would let Nora call occasionally, but for the most part, she wanted to focus totally on Nora and help her beat her fear. They had talked previously about how Suzanne was going to handle this situation. Suzanne determined it was a fear, an anxiety disorder and she had a lot of work to do. She also let Bo know that she intended to take Nora to a retreat to further her confidence of being able to trust Bo alone with Matthew. Bo said that had sounded like a cop out excuse for the sisters to get away, Suzanne assured him (wink wink) it was all in the name of medicinal purposes.
Bo: Suz…(pausing) I don't know…I just thought that was a place for couples…I mean, I don't like to think of her in a bikini…well, I DO like to think of her in a bikini…
Suzanne…TMI…I do not want to continue THIS particular line of conversation…she'll be fine.
Bo: The question is not of her being fine, I know she's fine, THAT is why I am concerned! I don't want any other…
Suzanne: Jealousy is an ugly monster Bo….
Bo: I am not jealous (pausing) I just have a vested interest in who looks at my woman…
Suzanne: A jealous Neanderthal…very becoming combination…
Bo: Thank you…
Suzanne: No thanks necessary…Bo, she will be fine. I want to take her there because of its secluded atmosphere…phones are not common place…we'll be able to get through this.
Bo: I don't know…I just…I just…
Suzanne: Bo, I don't have time to keep this up, I have patients to see, in three weeks she'll be back and fine…just let it happen.
Bo: (exhaling loudly) Fine.
As he walked back to his truck he thought of her in a bikini, walking along a beach, sun pouring over her flaming red hair, her soft shoulders exposed for all to see.
Bo: (to himself) Damn it Red! I miss you already! (walking briskly through the lot) Stop Buchanan…its gonna be a long three weeks if you torture yourself on a daily basis!
He heads home.
Matthew: DADDY!!!
Bo: Hey buddy!
Matthew: Did Mommy go by auntie Suz?
Bo: Yes she did…very early this morning.
Matthew: Will she come home?
Bo: Yes…Mommy just needs some time to think.
Matthew: About what?
Bo: About how handsome her son is! (tickling Matt)
Matthew: (giggling wildly) I'm hungry!
Bo: And what would you like for breakfast?
Matthew: Marshmallows and ketchup!
Bo: Umm….let's think about this (furrowing his brow and putting his finger to his lip) ….no
Matthew: (looking sad) Daddy…pleeeeeeeeeeze
Bo: How about (pulling his son onto his lap) hot chocolate WITH marshmallows and a sausage and eggs sandwich WITH kechup?
Matthew: YEAH!!!!
Bo: Alrighty….let's get you dressed and we'll head over to the diner…
Matthew: (jumping off Bo's lap and running up stairs) I wanna dress myself!
Bo: (following his son) You got it buddy!
A little while later, Bo and Matthew ascend the stairs. Rachel is sitting watching a talk show.
Matthew: Rach! Me and Daddy are going to the diner! Wanna go?
Rachel: (watching the TV, hasn't looked at Matt yet) No thanks, buddy…I don't feel to good…
Bo: And what's the problem with my princess?
Rachel: You don't want to know….(opening her eyes really wide)
Bo: Got it…no more questions…if you need me…
Rachel: Cell phone got it…(looking at Matthew) Bo…he cannot go out dressed like that…
Matthew: (proudly) I dressed myself! (walking to the front door) C'mon Dad!!
Rachel: Bo…he looks…
Bo: (grimacing) And I am very proud of him! (quietly) What does it hurt to let him exert a bit of inependence?
Rachel: He looks like a clown….Prince Lotor tee shirt, Phillies jersey…his swim trunks?
Bo: Look how proud he is to wear all his favorite clothes…and all at once…just let it go…it won't be like this the whole time…this is just a fun day.
Rachel: I'll remind you in a week…
Bo: I will leave you to your bad mood…love ya!
Rachel: Yeah…
At the diner.
Bo: So what are we gonna have?
Matthew: Hot dogs!
Bo: For breakfast?
Matthew: YEA!!
Bo: How about we have that later for lunch and we have….hmmm…some eggs and sausages and
Matthew: Ketchup!!!
Bo: Ok…ketchup!
Carlotta walks over to the table.
Carlotta: Hello! How are you this morning?
Bo: We are hungry!
Carlotta: I love hearing that! Hey Matthew…is Mommy sleeping in?
Matthew: Mommy went to live with auntie Suz….
Carlotta looks at Bo
Bo: She went to visit with her sister and her folks.
Carlotta: Oh! And her two favorite men are all alone?
Matthew: No silly! We have Rachel!
Carlotta: Well, that is good to hear! (laughing at Matthew's innocence) So, what can I get you "hungry men" this lovely morning?
Matthew: I want hot dogs….(looking at Bo for a last minute approval) Daddy won't let me have hot dogs for breakfast…
Carlotta: Maybe lunch….
Bo: We'll have some eggs and sausage and hash browns and (looking at Matt) bagels?
Matthew: With extra cream cheese!
Bo: His mother's son!
Carlotta: Coffee? Milk? Juice?
Matthew: Coffee….
Bo: He'll have orange juice…I'll have coffee…
Carlotta: I'll be right back with you drinks…
Bo: So buddy…its you and me…what are we going to do today?
Matthew: Lets go find frogs at the pond!
Bo: That's sounds great!
Matthew: Really? (sipping some water and spilling some on his shirt) Oh! Mommy's gonna be mad!
Bo: Why?
Matthew: Cuz I spilled….
Bo: Nah…its only water! Nothing to worry about! (takes a napkin from the holder and wipes the front of Matt's shirt) see? All better!
Matthew smiles. Carlotta brings their meals and they eat and talk about finding frogs and baseball and Prince Lotor and everything else that can cross a young boys mind in the course of a meal. When they finish eating Carlotta comes by with more coffee.
Carlotta: Well? How was it?
Matthew: Great! I wish my Mommy cooked breakfast this great!!!
Bo: (under his breath) I wish Mommy could boil water…
Carlotta playfully hits Bo's arm.
Carlotta: Hey Matt…if your Daddy says its ok, why don't you go over to the counter and get a fresh cookie from the jar? Would you like that?
Bo: Really Carlotta…you don't
Matthew: Daddy? Can I?
Carlotta: It's fine Bo…
Bo: (looking at his son's pleading eyes) Ok…just one though!
Matthew: Yeah!!!!
He runs off to the counter.
Carlotta: So….you're mom and dad while Nora's gone?
Bo: Something like that…(he smiles) she needs to take care of a few things…
Carlotta: Must be pretty important for her to go and leave Matty and you…what with the trial and all…
Bo: Well, it's pretty complicated….but it'll be ok…(he sips his coffee)
Carlotta: Did Rachel go with her?
Bo: No…she's home, not feeling well….
Carlotta: Bo, forgive me, Matthew is the sweetest child I know, but….(trying to choose her words) I…
Bo: His clothes?
Carlotta: I'm sorry…is it written on my face?
Bo: No…but we've gotten looks all morning….(leaning in and whispering) he dressed himself…
Carlotta: Oh!! I thought you…
Bo: I am letting him flex his little independent muscles…(smiling proudly)
Matthew comes back to the table…
Matthew: I got this one (showing them the cookie he picked)
Carlotta: Mijo….I love your shorts! (she touches the top of his head)
Matthew: (puffing his chest out) I picked em' out myself!
Carlotta: What a big boy to pick out his own clothes!
Matthew: I dressed too! And clean underwear!
Bo puts his head down in his hand to hide his laugh
Carlotta: Always important!
Bo's cell phone rings
Bo: Buchanan….
Rachel: Bo…Aunt Suzanne called….
To be continued
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