We got divorced three years ago, divorced peacefully, without much complaint against each other, as we wrote in the statement – “we did not agree in character. Our daughter did not even perceive the divorce at first, she thought it was just a spat, Dad temporarily left, at weekends they had a great time having fun and socializing, when they came back in the evening we had dinner together, then Robert would leave and Alina would say goodbye to him for a long time and stand by the window, looking after Dad…
A week ago my daughter turned six. For the past year she and Robert did not communicate that often. There were two reasons. Robert met a woman and could no longer spend every weekend with my daughter, and I had a man. Alan and I met on a trip to a nature reserve. Alina and I lagged behind the group, Alan was looking around too, and didn’t notice that he broke away from the “collective”. Then we caught up with the guide, got to talking, exchanged phone numbers and off we went.
Compared to Robert, Alan was very terse, but somehow reliable. He did not just drop a word. During the time we were acquainted he never forgot anything, never was late, never let anything slip through his fingers. If Alan promised something, there was no doubt that he would deliver. With Robert we had big problems and disagreements with all this, probably because of his lack of commitment we broke up…
Both Robert and Alan were supposed to come to my daughter’s party. I was worried about how they would get along, and how they would behave in company. My daughter, of course, was waiting for her father, though she and Alan were on friendly terms, limited only by Robert’s reticence.
All the guests gathered on time, only my ex was late. Alina asked him to wait for my father, I had to give in to the hero of the occasion and fill the pause with memories and exchange of news.
And now, finally, Daddy has arrived! With a big beautiful package with a gift, and a huge bouquet for me. I was a little embarrassed by this display of attention. Alan correctly introduced himself, and Robert, as if three years hadn’t passed since we had parted, took on the role of master of the house. He seated the guests, directed the pouring, in a word, behaved like in the good old days.
Alina did not leave my father’s side, and Alan, seeing this whole picture, obviously did not feel at ease, though I tried to pay enough attention to him in front of the guests, unlike Robert.
Nevertheless, after the first table Alan scrambled, referred to the urgent work he had taken home, apologized to the company, drank “on the horse,” and said goodbye.
After he left, Robert began to behave even more loosely. When they went to the kitchen for cake, I asked him to hold his tongue and calm down, to which the ex-husband suddenly declared:
– You do not love him, and we were good, let’s try to start over?
I was a little confused, but then I disappointed Robert:
– No, honey, I don’t want to. You and I aren’t going to work out. All we have in common is Alina, so let’s stop there. I’m glad you’re communicating, that she’s waiting for you, but I’m not waiting for you, especially after you started dating another woman.
– It’s different, for the body, not for the soul, I’m not going to live my life with her…
– All the more reason, then, to look for someone with whom you want a long-term relationship, not an “unloading.”
After the sweet table, the guests began to leave. Robert was the last one to leave, helped me in the kitchen with the dishes, put my daughter to bed, and never gave up hope that I would ask him to stay the night. When he realized that the offer was not forthcoming, he did not spoil the evening, thanked me for the conversation, kissed me on the cheek, and said goodbye…
I called Alan and asked if we can go on a shashlyk together tomorrow? Alan was happy as a child, said that he would put off everything, and pick up me and Alina at nine in the morning.
At nine sharp the bell rang, then Alina shouted: “Yay! The birthday continues!” The three of us had a great day outdoors. When we got home, I asked my daughter:
– Alina, do you mind if Alan comes to live with us?
The girl looked at me seriously and replied:
– You’re always waiting for him, and this way you’ll see him every day…
