“My mom has been asking to meet Ben since we got married three months ago, Sophie. I can’t blow her off anymore. My father is just tagging along.”
“Your dad doesn’t want to meet me too?” Ben questioned, walking back to me.
“My dad and I don’t have the best relationship, bud.”
“Why?”
“He wasn’t around a lot when I was growing up. Work took up a lot of his time, amongst other things.”
“But you work a lot too, Dad.”
“I do.”
“Are you not going to be around a lot?”
“I’ll always be here for you. You and your mom are my number one priority now.”
“What about football?”
“That comes second. My family will always be first now.”
Sophie eyed me skeptically. I could tell she wanted to say something but wouldn’t in front of our son.
“Dad, do you know why mom was crying on the phone yesterday?”
“Ben!”
“What?” My gaze shifted to her. “You were crying.”
“I was not crying.”
“Yes, you were. You were biting your lip. You always bite your lip when you cry.”
I grinned, looking only at her. “Doesn’t she, though.”
“Enough with the two against one.”
“Dad?”
“Yeah, bud?”
“When mom was crying, she said she was conflicted. What does that mean?”
“Ben!” Pointing toward the slider, she ordered, “Go outside!”
“But, Mom…”
“Now!”
“Fine.” He hopped off my lap.
“I’ll meet you outside in a few, alright?”
He smiled at me before taking off.
I waited until he was out of sight, and then I questioned, “Am I conflicting you, Baby Soph?”
She shook her head. “Not everything is about you.”