Nothing Can Keep Me from You

"I can't do it, Ma. I'd be embarrassed out of there."

Abel Morin continued the argument about attending his ten-year high school reunion. His mother was being a mom and trying to force him out of his self-imposed hermitude.

"Abel," she sighed. "Go and see what your old friends are up to. You don't have to tell them anything you don't want to."

Abel lifted the small spoon to his infant daughter's mouth and pretended it was an airplane. She giggled appropriately and he stuck it in for a landing.

She liked the greenish-orangish goop and never failed to eat it.

"Mom, you don't get it. I can't show my face there. I was supposed to be the most likely to be rich. All I did was become the biggest failure."

"You're not a failure, honey. You just haven't succeeded yet."

He rolled his eyes and fed the last spoonful to his precious little Ava.

He'd been back living with his mother for three months after his wife found a richer man and left him and their newborn daughter.

Kramer Wellington of the original Boston Wellingtons did an amazing job of turning Abel's wife into his new trophy wife. Kramer didn't want Ava, so she gave up her daughter, but not before forcing Abel to give her half of his business which forced him to sell it prematurely. Abel thought he needed another year to fully develop his lifelong Artificial Intelligence project. That dream was dashed with the sale.

"Mom, I'm done. I don't have the capital to do what I need to do. All I can do now is put my dream on the shelf and put food on the table for my little girl."

"Honey, you can work on it in your spare time."

"It doesn't work that way, Ma. First, I don't have any spare time. Second, if I work on it now, my contract with my new job makes anything I develop theirs."

She rubbed his shoulder as she set the plate of chipped beef on the table.

"Thanks," he smiled. "I do love your chipped beef."

"Don't you think I know how to cheer my favorite son up by now?"

He chuckled, "I'm still your only son, Ma."

"Dada," Ava begged.

He smiled and smashed up some of the peas and fed her some of his dinner.

"Ava likes it too."

"Of course, she does," his mother answered. "She's your little girl."

He nodded, glad the DNA test proved that. If he got any joy out of the divorce process, it was the look of sheer rage on Kramer's face when the test result was presented to Abel's ex-wife.

"Just think about it," she continued. "If you need one, I'll buy you a new suit."

"My suit is just fine," he argued.

She frowned, "With all that weight you lost, no suit you own will fit you."

He knew she was right. It was part of the reason he didn't want to go. With the depression he fell into until he got his daughter back, he lost forty pounds he didn't have to lose. He was only just beginning to put some weight back on. He looked sickly in his old clothes.

"I'll think about it," he conceded only to end the discussion.

"Gillian says Missy will be home for the reunion."

He groaned.

Gillian was his mother's neighbor and best friend, and Abel dated Missy during their last year of high school until she dumped him on his birthday a month before Senior Prom. She made up an excuse about going to different colleges and not thinking a long-distance relationship would work out. The reality was, she was asked to the prom by one of the football players.

"Missy, huh? She still married to the MVP?"

"No. She divorced him last year. She got tired of his playing around off the field."

"She got what she deserved," he said as he cleaned his daughter's face and scooped up his last bite of dinner.

"No one deserves a bad marriage, Abel."

"No one deserves to get dumped for a jock on their birthday either."

He lifted Ava from her highchair prison and carried his plate to the sink.

"I'll do the dishes in a minute. Let me put her in her playpen."

"I'll do the dishes, honey. Go play with your daughter."

*****

The following Saturday, Abel sat on the freshly cut grass and watched his 12-month-old try to walk everywhere. She'd giggle every time she fell, and falling never deterred her.

"Mom said you had a daughter," Missy said as she walked up behind him.

"Yep. Her first birthday was last week."

He didn't turn around and Missy frowned.

"How are you, Abel?" She asked as she sat on the grass beside him.

"Fine," he answered without looking over.

"Still angry with me after all these years?" She asked.

"Nah. Just don't care either way. You made your choice, and it worked out for you."

She snorted, "Yeah. It worked out so well I'm divorced."

"Careful what you wish for, I suppose," he sighed.

She didn't say she wished she'd never broken up with him.

Ava stumbled over and held her arms out to Missy.

"May I?" She asked.

"Sure. It looks like she likes you."

She picked up the little girl, made silly faces, and rubbed their noses together. Ava giggled non-stop.

"Who's an adorable little lady, hm? Yes, you," she cooed.

Abel handed her the sippy cup of juice and Ava drank like she was coming out of the Sahara.

"Where's her mom?" Missy asked.

Able couldn't believe the gossip hadn't reached her yet.

"Last I heard she's in Paris."

"Last you heard?"

"She left me just before Ava was born."

"Sorry, I didn't know."

Ava wiggled and Missy sniffed.

"Whew! Someone needs a change."

Before he could reach for the bag in between them, Missy had a diaper out and was unfastening Ava's onesie.

"I'll do it," he argued.

"It's fine. I don't get to change them anymore."

"Your kids are too old?" He asked, then regretted engaging her in conversation.

"No, no kids for me. My godson is five, though. I used to change his diapers all the time."

"She needs..."

"Cream. I see it. Don't worry."

"Sorry. I'm not used to the help."

"So, what are you up to these days? Did you come back for the reunion?"

"No, I moved back home after the divorce was final."

He thought she'd think lesser of him for that admission, but she didn't.

"I bet your mom loves having her."

He laughed, "Yeah. She always wanted a girl."

"I know. I remember how she doted over me whenever she came over. She used to help me and Mom shop for dresses."

He didn't respond as he supervised her decent diapering skills.

She continued, "Last I heard you had a tech company. Some kind of research thing."

"Not anymore. I just started working at the steel mill doing IT."

She nodded and buttoned Ava up, who wasted no time in trying to walk around again.

Missy folded, taped the used diaper, and handed it to Abel.

"Has she ever played with a dog?" She asked.

"No, we don't have one."

"Hang on. Snoopy loves kids."

She hopped up and jogged next door before he knew what was happening. A moment later, she came out carrying a small beagle.

"Ah!" Ava shrieked in delight when she saw the white and brown dog in Missy's arms.

"Missy, I don't think..."

"Watch!" She said as she let Snoopy lick Ava's reaching hands. "See. They love each other already."

She set Snoopy down and watched as he ran around the small yard. Ava crawled after him and giggled every time the dog ran around her.

"Does he bite?" Abel asked, still concerned.

Missy laughed. "He's a little lover boy. Don't worry."

Snoopy saw a butterfly and started barking as he tried to chase it. Ava giggled incessantly at the dog's antics.

"Snoopy, come," Missy ordered.

Snoopy yapped once more and trotted over and sat before Missy's folded legs. Ava followed and Missy guided her hand along his back to pet him.

"Jimmy hated Snoopy. It was one of the selling points for me to keep him."

"Jimmy always was an asshole," he shrugged.

Jimmy Jackson was the jock who stole her away from him. He was a star quarterback and had so far won two Super Bowls with New York in a stellar pro career.

She sighed, "Not to me. Not at first anyway."

"Welp, I guess we should be heading in."

"Let her play with Snoopy, Abel. They're having so much fun. I won't mention him or what happened again."

Before he could argue, he heard his mother, "Hello, Melissa. Don't you look lovely this morning."

"Hi, Miss Morin. Your granddaughter is adorable."

"She is that. I see you two are catching up. I just wanted to say hi."

"We were just going to come in, Ma."

"Nonsense, Abel. I just made some lemonade. Let me bring you two a glass."

She spun and was gone before he could argue. He knew trying to decline would be futile. He went back to watching Ava try to pet Snoopy, who had rolled to his belly.

"Are you going to the pre-reunion party or just the reunion tonight?" Missy asked.

"Neither."

"What?" She shrieked. "You have to go."

"I don't have to do anything."

"Here you go," his mom said as she set down a tray with drinks.

"He's being a party pooper, Missy. I tried to get him to go, but he's stubborn."

"Why not, Abel? You're already in town, and I know I can't wait to see everyone."

"There's no one I want to see."

"Oh! Come on. I'm sure the old gang would love to catch up."

"I doubt my old friends will be there. They don't have many fond memories of high school either."

She frowned, "I can't believe that. You guys were so close."

"We were the lesser. No one cared about us. The jocks sure as hell didn't when they bullied us. Hell, only one of us had a girlfriend, and as you know, that didn't work out so well."

"I am sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you."

He grunted, "And yet you did. You got what you wanted though. Prom Court, rich husband, new nose, swimsuit edition model."

"You saw that?" She groaned. She was chosen to be part of the wives and girlfriends of pro athletes spread after Jimmy got drafted.

"Oh, sure. Jimmy made sure to send me a case of that issue."

"He what?"

"Come on, Ava. It's time for your nap," he said.

She started crying the moment he picked her up.

"I'll see you around, Melissa."

She stared at his back while Snoopy barked for Ava to come back. After the door closed, she stood, and a tear fell down her cheek.

*****

"How'd it go?" Gillian asked Missy as she slumped through the back door.

"He hates me."

Gillian laughed.

"I'm serious, Mama. He couldn't have made it clearer."

"Well, for what it's worth, you did break his heart."

"I was stupid, okay? I know it, and I regret it."

She did regret it. She got so caught up in the superstar athlete showing interest in her, she lost all sense of reason.

She wasn't always one of the pretty ones. She had unruly hair, thick glasses, and braces until her senior year. To say she blossomed would be an understatement.

The worst part was she transformed while dating Abel. He loved her before she became the knockout who attracted Jimmy Jackson like a moth to a flame.

"Mom, I'd give all the money away if it got me a loving hug from Abel. God! What a fool I was. He's so handsome now."

"He was handsome before you crushed him."

"Yeah, but he changed too. Granted, he looks too thin now."

"Jenny told me he lost an unhealthy amount of weight during the divorce. He's only starting to fill out again."

"How could his ex-dump him for someone and abandon her child?"

"I guess he has bad taste in women. They always tear him down."

Missy blanched as if she were slapped. Her mother's dig at her wasn't missed.

Gillian said, "Jenny and I have a sort of plan. Do you want in?"

"Plan for what?"

Gillian smiled, "To get you two together, of course."

"I'm in," she answered without hesitation.

Gillian laughed and clapped her hands.

"We're going shopping."

*****

"Ma, I still don't get why you made us come with you."

They were looking at dresses at an upscale department store. Jenny made him bring Ava along.

"I figured we could get some ice cream after I find a dress for the mixer next week."

Ava was asleep in her stroller and Abel was bored to tears. He didn't see his mother send a group text to Gillian and Missy.

"I want to try this one on. Come and let me know how it looks."

"It'll look fine. I'm going to the toys section. Maybe I can find something for Ava."

"Just wait a minute. I'll try this on and we'll go together."

He groaned but followed after her.

"I'll be right out, Abel. Have a seat," she said loudly, and on cue, Missy walked out of her changing room stall.

"Oh, Jesus!" He sighed when Missy stepped out.

"Abel! What are you doing here?" She shrieked.

"Getting set up, I think."

He couldn't help but look her over. She wore a short blue skirt, which was skintight and had a V-cut showing off her large breasts. He was struck dumb.

"I spilled something on my dress and needed to get another for the reunion. How do I look?"

She turned and checked herself in the mirror. He couldn't help but gaze at her shapely ass and legs.

He thought, "Even her feet look amazing."

"It's not too formal, is it?" She asked snapping him out of his stupor.

"Um, it's fine," he mumbled.

"Well, I was hoping for more than it's fine," she giggled.

"Where's your mom?" He asked looking around. "I know I've been had here."

"I don't know what you're talking about," she lied. "Do you think I should wear nude or black stockings?"

"Missy! What a surprise," Jenny said stepping out of the room.

"Can it, Ma. I know what you're doing."

"What am I doing, Abel?"

"Strutting her out in that dress to ensnare me in some kind of mother setup trap. I'm going to the toy section. Your dress looks fine."

Before he could push the stroller away, Ava woke and saw Missy.

"Look! She's up now," Missy said as she leaned over and tickled Ava. Her dress left nothing to Abel's imagination as she did.

"Did you change your mind about the reunion, Abel?" Missy asked.

"No."

"Abel," Jenny started, "Why don't we take a look at the suits since we're here. I'm sure Missy would love to help us find the perfect one for you."

"Ma, let it go."

"That's a great idea, Miss Morin. I'm gonna take this one. Let me change really quick."

"Oh, my God! I'm not going, Ma."

"Fine. We're still looking at the suits though."

She turned and strutted away before he could argue.

"What is happening to me, Ava?"

She smiled and took a drink from her cup.

*****

Abel saw the price of the suits and wanted to vomit.

"How can off the rack suits cost so much?" He whined.

Missy ignored him and said, "Try on this jacket."

He slid it on, and Jenny pulled it closed.

"One size down, I think. Or maybe a slimmer fit?"

"I agree," Missy answered. "Try this one, Abel."

"I'm not some doll for you to play dress up."

"Yes you are," the ladies answered in unison, making them laugh.

"Ooh, that's perfect. See how it tapers. What size pants are you," Missy asked.

"Probably a 32/36."

"You always were a beanpole," Jenny teased.

"How tall are you?" Missy asked.

"6'4"."

"I didn't notice before. You weren't that tall in school."

"No, for some reason, I had a growth spurt in college."

She tried to hide her smirk when she wondered if anything else grew along with his height.

"Try 'em on, bub."

"Ok. Watch Ava, please?"

After putting on the jacket and pants, he appraised himself in the mirror.

"Not bad," he thought. "Could use a shave though."

"You better come out for inspection, Mister," Jenny called into the fitting room entrance.

He sighed and walked out to get ogled by the women.

"You look so handsome," Jenny smiled.

Missy didn't say anything. She made a twirling motion with her finger, silently telling him to turn around.

"You're going to be the best-looking man there tonight," Missy lauded.

"I'm not..."

"Yes you are," they said in unison again.

"You've already got a babysitter and if I could be so bold, a date," Missy added, then immediately regretted it when she saw the look on his face.

He didn't say anything before he spun and went back into the fitting room.

"I messed it all up," Missy told Jenny. "Everything was going so well."

"Yeah, you did, but I still think he'll go."

"Here," Missy said handing her a credit card. "The suit is on me. Pretend you're buying it, or he'll never get it."

"Are you sure, Honey? I can..."

"Miss Morin, I got more money than I'll ever be able to spend from my divorce. It's my pleasure. You can give Mom the card later or something."

She nodded and hugged Missy before the upset young lady hurried out of the store.

"Youth is wasted on the young," Jenny said to Ava, while the little lady chewed on a turtle toy.

"Where'd she go?" Abel asked as he walked up to the stroller.

"She apologized for jetting off but went home to get ready. It takes us girls a bit longer than you easy men, you know."

"Okay," he said, yet wondered why he was disappointed. He wouldn't admit the old feelings that were stirred up.

"Come on. Let's go pay for your suit."

He tried to argue, but Jenny wasn't letting him. When she gave the credit card to the salesclerk, he thought he saw the New York football team's logo on it. He shook that off as just seeing things.

*****

Abel stood at the entrance to the hotel ballroom and almost turned to leave. He might have if his old friend Ian hadn't spotted him.

"Abel!" Ian shouted from halfway across the room.

He and two others, Edwin and Martin, rushed over to greet their friend.

"How the hell are you man?" Edwin asked, followed by each of them hugging him in turn.

"As well as can be expected I suppose."

Ian said, "I asked at the table if you were coming, and they said you didn't respond."

"I wasn't going to. I guess someone pulled a string to allow me to show up as a walk in."

"Nice," Martin said. "It's great to see you, old friend. Let's go to the bar."

Abel scanned the room but didn't see Missy. He figured it was she who paid for him to be allowed in, but he was doubting that if she wasn't there yet.

As they ordered drinks, Abel heard from behind, "Well, well, well. Look what they forgot to put in the garbage."

Abel rolled his eyes and turned to face Jimmy Jackson. He was stunned, not just that he showed up, but that he was with the hot meteorologist from their local news channel.

"Jimmy Jackson in the flesh," Abel grunted. "Come to shine your light on your lessers tonight?"

"Yep," he snorted. "I'm a man of my people. Want an autograph? Maybe you can sell it and buy a decent pair of shoes."

Cindy Marks, Jimmy's date, had the decency to scowl at the remark.

Abel ignored him and said, "Hello, Cindy. I watch you on TV, and it's nice to meet you. Would you like to dance?"

A slow song had just started, and Cindy smiled widely, "I'd love to dance and get away from the hot air over here."

Jimmy shrugged and stepped up to the bar.

As they danced, Cindy said, "I'm sorry about all that. We have the same agent and he put us together for this as a photo op. I can't stand that insufferable douche bag."

"Welcome to Jimmy Jackson's world. We are all lucky to get to live in it."

She smiled and asked, "Are you without a date tonight? No wife?"

Abel smiled, "Neither, I'm afraid. I'm recently divorced."

"Sorry," she said as she closed some of the polite distance between them.

"It's okay. I got full custody of my beautiful 12-month-old daughter, so I won in the end."

"I'm glad," she said with her mega-watt smile.

"Do you like kids?" He asked before seeing a pissed off Missy glaring at him from the other side of the room.

"Love 'em," she said. "I'm just so busy with my career, I'm not sure kids are in the cards for me."

Abel nodded, spun her around, and dipped her to the song's final notes.

"Thank you for the dance, Abel. I hope to have another sometime soon."

She kissed his cheek and glided across the floor towards the bar where Jimmy was holding court.