"Shit, he saw Robin?"
"Yeah, but he somehow assumed that I'm married and that I used him. I had to leave before he said anything worse in front of Robin, but he was so angry, Tammie. And I got mad at him too, and it was all just one huge disaster."
"I'm so sorry, girl. Maybe now it will help you finally stop pining for him."
I scoffed. "I don't pine."
"Yes, you do, missy, and if you pine any harder, you will turn into a pine tree."
I couldn't help but laugh at that. "You are insane, but unfortunately, I love you anyway."
"So, what are you going to do?" She asked.
"What's there to do?"
"Don't you think it's fate that he's back in town after all these years, and you just happened to meet each other?"
"Why didn't fate intervene when I was busy looking for him to help me care for our son?"
"Because you can't question fate, duh! She has her own way of doing things that all makes sense in the end."
I laughed and shook my head. "That is crazy, and you know it. Robin and I had our rhythm going, and now I feel like I'm starting to figure out everything again."
"I know," Tammie sighed in reply. "I wish I was there with you."
"Yeah, you get to play in the snow while some of us deal with real life."
She laughed. "Don't forget there are very pretty boys here too. Aren't you jealous of my job?"
I laughed before replying. "Just come back home soon, okay? And don't play with pretty boys. They can get you pregnant and disappear for seven years."
"You should write a memoir," Tammie laughed, making me smile again. "Just hang in there, okay? I'll be back in two days."
"You better be. Robin misses you."
"And I miss him too. I'll bring him back a souvenir."
We said goodbye, and I returned to my son, feeling a little better now. I had no idea what the future held, but I focused on the present.
"I finished all my food," Robin said proudly.
"Even your vegetables?"
He nodded, and I smiled, "That's why you are my favorite person."
We cleaned up the kitchen before getting ready for bed. I took out Robin's favorite book and settled beside him as I read it. I took comfort in the fact that he still enjoyed his bedtime storybook, reminding me that he was still my little boy. I feared that he would be reading a chemistry book to bed in a year or two, given how smart he was, and I wanted him to enjoy his childhood as much as possible and not become a little adult just because of school.
"Mommy," Robin said as I finished reading to him.
"Yes, baby?"
His adorable little face twisted in disapproval, and I laughed, knowing what was coming.
"I'm not a baby."
I tapped the tip of his nose with my finger. "Of course not. You are a big boy now since you helped Mommy do the dishes."
He nodded and smiled proudly. Even though he had been drying a few light utensils, he never ceased to amaze me with how much he was always trying to learn new things and take responsibility around the house. As if he knew just how much I needed the help, even if it was just the little things.