The Muse's Undoing

“You did promise,” he says.

“Did I?”

“You probably wouldn’t remember.”

I sigh. There’s a lot about the time I was recovering with Matthew that I was too out of it on pain meds to remember, but there’s still plenty I do. Like how comfortable I am with him. Obviously.

The knock I’ve been waiting for comes, and I unpeeled myself from Matthew who steadies me as I crawl over him to stand. He runs a hand through his hair and I do the same. “How do I look?”

He drags his gaze from my lower half to my face and I find my cheeks heating. “Good,” he says.

I head down the hall to open the door for my son and my ex wife. “Dad!”

What happened to Daddy?

I crouch down, and he launches himself into my arms. He looks like me at his age, it’s like going back in time. He’s skinny and wiry like I was, too, vibrating with energy, but he gives great hugs. “Hey, bud.”

“Did you change my room?”

“Not a bit. But if you want to get some new stuff for it, now’s the time to ask.”

“I’ll send you my wishlist.” He pulls away and gives my face a pat, making me grin. His eyes are blue like Nicole’s, and I look up at her finally.

“Hey.”

“Hi. How’s the leg?”

“A little rough.” I use the cane to leverage myself up as Vaughn stands between us, looking from one of us to the other. Nicole is 5’10, only two inches shorter than I am. I give her a one-armed hug and welcome them inside. “My brother’s here.”

“Oh! Great. Can I say hi?”

“Sure.”

Matthew’s already heading down the hallway and he catches Vaughn’s eyes. They give each other a rough, hearty greeting that makes me smile. Matthew picks up my son and Vaughn wraps his legs around his uncle’s waist.

“Hey, Matty!” Nicole calls out.

“Hello. What are you feeding this kid?”

“Whatever he’ll eat,” she answers wryly. To me she says, “Goldfish and chicken nuggets is about it, honestly.”

“What about pizza?” I ask.

“Depends on the day.”

My nerves kick up again when I realize I know almost nothing about his routine. Am I supposed to wing this?

Nicole gives Matthew a hug once he sets down Vaughn. He asks her if she wants any coffee.

She’s holding a commuter mug and says, “I could take a top-off.”

Matty even sets Vaughn up at the table with the blueberry muffin which also looks like it’s on the edible list. My knee locks up as I’m going to sit with Vaughn, but Matthew’s right there, his arm shooting out to keep me steady as I lean to the side.

“What do you need?” he asks.

“A second,” I say, flexing my calf and trying to put my foot flat on the floor.

“Here, sit.” He eases me onto the arm of the couch, his hands on my shoulders, gaze intent on my face.