“ what do you mean call ? it’s my weekend ! just because i miss a weekend or two doesn’t mean it’s not my fucking weekend. ím, i’m not a deadbeat dad, alessa, i was working ! i was arresting bad guys ! you want the kids to go out and have a nice day at the park ? well, you gotta have me on the other end of a desk, making sure there aren’t any dangerous asshole out there in the park as well !” arms crossed in front of his chest. he could feel his blood pressure raising already. righteous indignation turned to simple and direct anger. “ what kid doesn’t wanna see their fucking dad ?! i just wanna take them out, okay ? i— there is no way leo doesn’t wanna see me. the kid loves me ! i was gonna teach him to play baseball this week. ” or was it last week ?
“ AND THAT , RIGHT THERE , IS YOUR PROBLEM. you can’t just skip a weekend here and there when you want. the kids count on you to show up and you don’t , and you blame that STUPID job of yours every time. ” hues widen , frustration bubbling to the surface. a struggle to remain tight , voice not raising over a calm tone. knowing their kids would be listening , eavesdropping . . . “ the park ? NOTHING bad ever happens at the park besides a kid not wanting to share the swing so try again. ” arms cross , making a point to slam the door behind her. “ first of all , leo loves the mailman who smiles at him. leo loves anyone that gives him attention ! and secondly , he got all dressed up in a uniform he wanted to surprise you with and waited at the door for 45 minutes. guess what ? you never showed. it was LAST week , you fucking idiot. so my brother took him and taught him already. if you’re going to make promises to a CHILD , don’t break them. he cried himself to sleep that night thinking his dad hated him. you lost the privilege to see them , james. ”