His Dirty Bargain

We arrive at Porter’s, a favorite steakhouse where we come regularly. Since we come here often we are immediately shown to a table in the quiet back of the restaurant. Before the hostess gets two feet away I tell her I want a scotch. I’m going to need it to get through this lunch.

Dante asks for one as well. “You know what I think? I think you don’t like being reminded you’re human, thereby fallible, not completely perfect.” I ignore him as I give the waitress my order. He sighs. “At least the divorce happened the way you wanted it to. The prenup held, she only got fifty grand and her engagement ring. I’m sure her lawyers’ fees alone were more than that, even if she did manage to get the full value of the ring. Now you can finally get the hell out of the condo you hate so much.  You got a new place in mind?”

I shrug. I loathe the condo, can’t wait to move out of it. I gave in to Sheila’s request to start our married life in a new home purchased as ours instead of just mine. Since I purchased it before we were married in my name, I refused to leave or give it up in the divorce, no matter how much I hated it. “No, not really. Send me your best residential agent to find me something.”

“Chloe is my best.”

 I’ve heard her name often over the last few years. Che handled the commercial side of Sabatini Real Estate and Dante residential. Over the last two years they put people in place to pick up the slack they created in no longer working the fourteen-hour days they used to.

He runs his hand across his jaw, it’s a tell he has. I brace for it. “You’ll have to wait a minute though. She’s working with a client. It won’t take her long, another day, maybe two. You’re going to owe me for taking up her valuable time. Come over for dinner tonight. Take one night off from pussy patrol, the women will be there tomorrow.”

 I sigh. He thinks he’s trying to help; arguing with him won’t work. “Fine.”

 “I’m going to let you have first pick, but apparently we’re moving soon too. Bethany doesn’t want to move to the ’burbs, but she’s adamant we need a yard with grass and shit. No more condos, and she wants us moved in and settled before the baby comes.”

 Bethany is currently six months along with their first baby, her second pregnancy but only their first to make it this far. She experienced a miscarriage a few years ago. The painful experience left them guarded in their excitement over this baby. “Three months seems like enough time. Why doesn’t she want to move to the suburbs? If she wants a house, there’s more room and choice there than in the city of Chicago.”

 “She doesn’t want me doing the drive. I tried to tell her I’m good to cut down on work for her and the baby. But she knows me well, I love what I do. Che is content to come in twice a week, working the rest of the week from home. When I tried it I was bored out of my mind. Once the baby comes, I’m pretty sure I’ll be okay with cutting back too, but if not it’s best to stay close. What are you looking for? You ready to move out to the suburbs?”

 I hadn’t thought much about it other than getting the hell out of where I’m living now. “I’m not ready to move to the suburbs either but a house, some space inside and out with a pool I don’t have to share sounds good.”

 For the rest of lunch we discuss property.

We’re back in the car before Dante brings it up again. “You know, it’s not like you got what you deserved. You always say that shit and it’s not true. There wasn’t a damn thing wrong with wanting a family. Getting married to a woman you didn’t love to get it, maybe not the best way to go about it. But the yearning for kids and the wife and everything that comes with them is ingrained in our DNA the same way we want to be hot when we’re cold and to eat when we’re hungry. You didn’t get what you deserved, but you will.”

I hear the words, they mean nothing. I made an extreme error in breaking my long-held vow not to get married. After a year of weekly exposure to my nephew, Matteo, I wanted a child. At first, I was sure the desire would go away, only as time went on the longing became more intense. I should have ignored it. I’m sure now if I had it would have gone away, eventually. From now on, I’ll be content with my role as an uncle. Lesson learned, I have no desire to make another mistake or discuss it. The car pulls up to the building, I get out, Dante doesn’t. “You coming?”

“No, I have a client I’m supposed to meet. I’m late.” He shrugs without remorse. “Family first.”

I nod. Family, sometimes they’re a pain in the ass, sometimes they’re a good thing.