Bittersweet

~ ~ Ducks in a Row ~ ~

Well, at least we seemed to be on the same page. "Did she tell you who the father was?"

"You honestly wanna know?" he asked, shocked.

"Yeah, if you know his name, then I'd be grateful for the information."

"She didn't know.  She said it messed her up when things ended between you two, getting high, hanging around in places she shouldn't.  Told me it could be one of a few lucky guys," He laughed bitterly. "None of them were worth shit and definitely not fit to be raising a kid."

I wasn't sure if this was good or bad news.   "You heard they have someone standing trial for her murder?"

"Yeah, they told me, some drug dealer." 

We sat in silence as a vacant expression passed across Mikey's face before his attention snapped back to me.  "So you're gonna keep the kid?"

Direct—I liked that. "Yeah, that's what I came here to tell you. Make sure you're okay with it."

"Me?" he settled back in his chair.  "Told you, Gabe, I ain't got no plans with her kid.  If you're asking if I'm gonna cause you any trouble.  Then shit man, nah.  We're good, solid."

"Jenna. That's —" I wanted to say wife or fiancée as girlfriend just didn't seem enough to describe our relationship.  "Jenna, I'm hoping for us to get married... soon."

He shrugged and nodded, neither upset nor surprised. 

"She wants to adopt little Elijah officially and seeing as I'm registered as the father it's what I want too."  Again, I paused.  "I want to give him the best home... two parents who want him... love him."

He shifted forward, resting his elbows on the table and partly folded his arms. "If you're looking for my blessing, man, then yeah, you got it.  The kid got lucky in my books."  He scratched his head.  "Me and Al had it bad growing up.  Our mom was hardly ever there, days no one fed us.  I want better for her kid." His head dropped before lifting to meet mine head on.  "Al would want the best for him, and I know she wasn't good at showing it, but she loved you, man."

I didn't think Al knew how to love someone, but I would not argue with his point. "Thanks, Mikey, that means a lot. He won't want for anything."  I meant that. I couldn't love him more even if he was my flesh and blood. 

Mikey nodded. A change of subject.  "Got any plans for when you get free from here?" 

Mikey was always into the next big thing that would make him rich. It was what had landed in him here... again.

"Got a few iron irons in the fire. You know me, can't keep me down."

He smiled, and it was the first time I realised he and Al had the same smile.  I looked at the clock; it was time for me to leave. "It's time for me to head out." I pushed out my chair, standing and offering him my hand.   "Good luck Mikey."  

He raised both his hands, waving them.  "Not allowed, man."

"Oh. Sorry." I retracted my hand. 

"You too, man." 

I gave him one last nod and headed toward the doors I came through.

~ ~

Leaving the prison, feeling a hella-a-lot lighter than when I went in.  I checked my phone.  Jenna had messaged me with 'fingers crossed' messages and I'd missed three calls from Jake.

Pressing my phone to my ear, I walked back to my truck, waiting for him to answer.

"Where are you?" he asked, sounding a little freaked out.