Read Online Tappin' On Thirty by Candice Dow - Free Book Online

Patterson?”
    After tossing my bags in the trunk, I nodded. “Always.”
    Since I used the same car service, Joseph frequently transported me. Somehow we always get into “the talk.” When I got in the car, he wasted no time, asking, “Mr. Patterson, have you found yourself a nice young lady yet?”
    â€œNot yet, Joseph. Not yet.”
    â€œI don’t know how you young guys do it. My wife and I have been married for thirty-three years. I can’t imagine what I’d do without her.”
    â€œI understand.”
    It was funny to watch him dance around asking what he was really curious about. Was I gay?
    â€œSo, are you interested in marriage?”
    â€œBeen there. Done that.”
    â€œThat was a long time ago.”
    Why do people want to shove marriage down your throat? Nothing compares to a miserable marriage. I damn sure won’t do it because it’s the damn right thing to do anymore.
    As to confirm my negative feelings about my marriage, my ex-wife rang. “Yes, Jennifer.”
    â€œDevin.”
    I rolled my eyes. “Yeah?”
    â€œNicole said you were going out of town today.”
    â€œYes,” I huffed.
    Jennifer has access to my Yahoo calendar so we can schedule pick-ups and drop-offs without too much conversation. So, I wondered why this question surfaced. She mumbled, “Friggin’ great.”
    â€œIs there a problem?”
    She huffed, “Yes, it’s not on your calendar.” She paused. “We have a problem.”
    Lisa didn’t have it on her calendar so it never made it to Yahoo. I covered my face and sighed. “What kind of problem, Jennifer?”
    â€œNever mind. I’ll just ask Aaron.”
    Blood shot to my head. Reluctant to give her the glory, I went for the high road, I said, “Okay, if Aaron can’t do it, I’ll have to call Adrianna.”
    â€œYou don’t even know what it is?” she snapped.
    I took a deep breath. “What is it Jennifer?”
    â€œI need someone to take her to swimming lessons on Tuesday and Thursday. I have to work late.”
    The vision of Aaron helping my baby in and out of her bathing suit infuriated me. Adrianna is my on-call nanny. This was an obvious on-call moment.
    I chuckled. “Nah. Don’t ask Aaron. I’ll take care of it, since it was my mistake. If Adrianna can’t do it, I’ll catch the train back after my meeting tomorrow.”
    â€œThanks Devin. Let me know what you decide. I think Adrianna still has the key to my apartment.”
    I nodded my head. “She does.”
    â€œOkay, well it’s all clear. Thanks Devin. Don’t forget to call me.”
    I smirked at my phone. Sometimes I scared myself, because I can’t explain how many times a day I envision strangling her.
    Joseph looked in the rearview mirror. “You coming back to New York tomorrow?”
    â€œI don’t know, man.”
    We pulled up to Penn Station. He said, “Mr. Patterson, you’re going to have a heart attack by the time you’re forty if you don’t slow down.”
    After handing him a tip, I said, “Man, thanks for the prophecy.”
    His West Indian accent intensified. “Not prophecy. Just warning.”
    â€œThanks, man.”
    After dashing into the station, grabbing my ticket from the kiosk, and rushing to the gate, I sat on the Acela Express headed to my other hometown. I tilted my head back and breathed. Just as my heart rate decreased, it dawned on me. Damn. I have to call Adrianna.
    I dialed her number and left a message. I dialed her several times during the ride. Still no answer. By the time I arrived in DC, I left one more desperate message. I concluded that it was highly possible that I’d be commuting back and forth for the remainder of the week.
    As I sat in my hotel room, purchasing my ticket on the all reserved 3:00 train to New York and returning on the 10:00 train, I loosened my tie.