“Was it hard splitting up your stuff when you moved out?”
“It wasn’t bad. We were adults about it. She wanted the big screen TV as her Dad spent most of his day watching it. We finally agreed that I would get the bed and the couch and she would get everything else.”
“It’s a great couch and a great bed.” Nicole had been taking naps on my bed since shortly after she had arrived as Curt’s old bed was so crappy. “I know this is a big favor, but would you mind if I slept in your bed tonight until you get home? Wake me and I’ll go to my bed. That way I can get a least some good sleep.”
“That’d be fine. Anyways, I switched restaurants once I broke up with Mandy so I didn’t have to work with her anymore. By that time, it was too close to the end of the school year to start dating someone new at school. There are a couple of good-looking girls where I am working now, but the only thing they talk to me about is how much their lives suck. I don’t think I want to date another waitress. So I probably won’t date again until the fall. “
By this time, Nicole had finished nursing Owen. She set Owen down, got up and give me a big hug. “I am proud of you, Ryan.”
“Proud of me?”
She let go, but stayed next to me. “Yes. You could have taken the easy way and stayed with Mandy. Instead, you took the harder road that will benefit you in the long run.” She gave me another quick hug.
“It was kind of like that for me,” she continued. “As soon as I thought I was pregnant, I decided I was going to be a great mom. I quit smoking, drinking and doing drugs. I stopped partying. I started eating right and exercising. I read everything I could about pregnancy and being a mom when I hadn’t been a reader before. It sucks now, but I think it will all pay off long-term.”
Nicole looked down and saw two small wet spots on my shirt.
“I leaked on you!” she said. “I’m so sorry!”
“Don’t worry about it. I may never have another chance to be leaked on by a half-naked woman.” I pulled her towards me and gave her a big hug back. “You’re a great mom, Nicole. Owen is lucky to have a mom like you.”
“Thanks.” I could see her tear up. I held her tightly as she cried for a little bit. After a few minutes, she pulled away.
“Thanks again, Ryan.” She went to take a shower. Being a single mom is a tough life.
* * * *
When I came home that night, Nicole was asleep in my bed. She was wearing her usual sleeping clothes – a nursing tank top and sweat pants. She looked so peaceful that I didn’t have the heart to wake her. As the bed was a queen, there was plenty of room for both of us. I quietly took all my stuff out of my pockets, slipped out of my clothes, put on my pajama pants and slipped into the other side of the bed.
I woke up in the middle of the night to find that I was on my side next to Nicole, who was on her side. My front side lightly touched her back side at a couple of places. My hand was on Nicole’s thigh. This was how Mandy and I had always slept. I thought about turning over, but decided that I would wind up this way again regardless so why fight it.