Chapter 32

 

 

Two Weeks Later

 

 

Barringer woke up on the brown leather couch in the family room. His clothes reeked of beer. So did the room. Empty beer bottles littered the table, along with old takeout containers. He hadn’t been to work in two weeks. He told Candice he was taking a short vacation. Only thing was, he didn’t tell her when he’d be coming back. How could he tell her when he didn’t know himself? There was no use in going to work when he couldn’t work. Besides, staying at home and drinking one’s self to oblivion was a lot easier than trying to save a multi-million dollar company. Doing nothing required no effort. So he stayed home and drank, laid around and did nothing. Crazy how when Calista was there, he was gone all the time. Now she was gone and he was there.

The house was a mess. Calista was the one who cleaned and spruced up the place. And sometimes, she’d arrange for the cleaning agency to come by for deep cleanings. Barringer had no idea what service she used. He could probably find out if he made an effort.

He sighed, stared up at the ceiling and thought about Calista. He told her, two weeks ago he’d pack her things and leave them in the foyer, but he hadn’t touched anything she owned. He shut himself off from the outside world and only answered the door for food deliveries. No one else.

He didn’t answer when Bryson stopped by with Everson. He didn’t answer the door for his father, nor did he answer his phone for his mother, Candice or Kalina. He wanted to be left alone. The family eventually got the hint.

That’s why the knocks at the front door irritated him. Feeling like his head was about to explode from the loud bangs, he rushed to the door to see which one of his brothers he was going to have to punch in the face. When he snatched the door open, his expression softened when he saw his sister standing there instead. He looked at her hand. When did she grow an iron fist?

“Goodness, Barry. You look like crap,” Candice said.

Dismissing her critique, he asked, “Do you realize how loud you were knocking?”

“Actually, that was me,” Bryson said, standing to the right of Candice, initially out of sight of Barringer, but came into view now, presenting himself.

Barringer scrubbed a hand down his unshaven face. “You should’ve taken my not answering the phone as a hint that I wanted to be left alone.”

“Nah, caveman. We’ve had enough of leaving you alone,” Bryson said, inviting himself in.

Candice followed.

Barringer dispelled a breath. “Whatever you two have up your sleeves, I’m not in the mood.”

“We just want to talk,” Candice said. “Wanted to see how you were doing.”

“I’m fine, now can you—?”

“How long are you going to do this, Barry?” Bryson asked.

Barringer raised a brow. “Do what?”

“This,” Bryson said gesturing with his palms out. “You’re sulking, preferring misery over the life you could have.”

“Sound familiar?” Barringer shot back.

“How many times are you going to bring up my situation with Felicia?”

“I’m bringing it up because you were somewhat of a recluse after it all went down. Now you’re judging me.”

“I’m not judging you, Barry. I’m trying to help you. Felicia cheated on me and decided to leave. Calista wouldn’t do that to you.”

Barringer sneered. “She and Garrison have gotten pretty comfortable. And two weeks ago, Garrison told me he used to date Calista in college…guess since his wife died, he wants to take mine.”

Bryson shook his head at Barringer’s heartless comment.

Candice frowned. “Gary wouldn’t do that. So what, they dated in college. That was college. This isn’t about them dating in college, is it? It’s about seeing Calista with Junior.”

Barringer narrowed his eyes at his sister. “Why aren’t you at work?”

“Because it’s Saturday. You’ve lost track of your days, too?”

Barringer walked near the breakfast nook, staring out into the sunny backyard.

“Listen, Barry. I know how it is to lose someone you love. When I lost Felicia, I swore up and down that I would never get married again. I was depressed…wanted to be alone. I couldn’t sleep in my own bedroom because I used to share it with her. Everywhere I turned, something in my house reminded me of her. Remember when I wanted to sell the house because I didn’t want those memories?”

Barringer nodded.

“It threw my life off course, which is what Calista has done to you. Your life is off course, and you’re not sure if you can get it back on track. You’re worried that if you try and things don’t work out, you’re a failure, so doing nothing seems like the right thing at the moment. But you can’t afford to sit around and do nothing. You have a company in limbo while you decide what to do with your personal life. People are depending on you and let’s face it. You’re not going to find another woman to put up with your crap like Calista. I’m going to keep it real with you for a minute, man. You’re kind of a jerk, Barry.”

“Yeah. Colton to the tenth power,” Candice said, then giggled.

“Well, not that bad,” Bryson said.

Turning to look at his brother and sister with his arms crossed, Barringer said, “You make a good point, Bryce, but I don’t know how our marriage will ever be the same again given the fact that I can’t give Calista what she wants.”

“You can. There’s always adoption. You and Calista will be ideal parents to some beautiful children who need a home. She’s already good with Junior. You saw the way she handled him at dinner.”

Barringer nodded. “Yeah. She would’ve been a good mother.”

“And still will be,” Candice said.

“Talk to her,” Bryson said. “Do it today. Not tomorrow. You see how weeks have quickly turned into four months. Four months, Calista has been gone. Now, in the words of Theodore Blackstone, I’m putting my foot down.”

Barringer grinned.

Candice smiled. “You know when daddy puts his foot down, he means business.”

“As do I,” Bryson said.

“Well, look, man…I have to go. Kalina is waiting for me. We’re heading to Hilton Head for a few days.”

“Great.” Candice said. “You’re going to Hilton Head and I’m doing laundry. Can’t wait until my dream guy sweeps me off my feet.”

Barringer and Bryson both frowned at her.

“What?” she asked. “Y’all act like I can’t date.”

“You can’t,” the brothers responded together.

Candice shook her head.

Bryson threw an arm around Barringer. “If you need to talk, just call.”

Candice walked over to him, enveloped him in a hug. “I love you, care bear.”

“Love you too, sis,” he said. “Now get out of here. Scat.”

Candice grinned. “You’re kicking me out now?”

“He’s putting us both out,” Bryson said.

 

* * *

 

After he shaved and showered, Barringer left the house for a trip to the barber. From there, the headed to Garrison’s house. He had no idea if his brother would be home. He just knew he needed to talk to him.

He pulled up in the driveway. Garrison’s car was there, so he walked up to the door, rang the bell and was surprised at how quickly Garrison opened it.

“I saw you pull up, so I figured I’d meet you at the door,” Garrison said. “What’s up?”

Barringer grimaced. “Do you have a minute?”

“Sure. Come in.”

Barringer slid his hands in the front pockets of his jeans and said, “I came here to talk to you about the last time I was here. I was out of mind—”

“Barry,” Garrison said, cutting him off. “It’s water under the bridge, man.”

“No, let me say this. I wasn’t there for you when you lost Vivienne. I had my own problems, and I was selfishly dealing with that.”

Garrison nodded. “And you need to know I’m not, in any way, involved with Calista. She’s like a sister to me, Barry, and Vivienne had specifically requested Calista take care of Garrison, Junior. She wanted her to be his caretaker because she knew how badly Calista wanted a child, and she was certain Calista would be good with him.”

Barringer nodded.

“If you’re not okay with it—”

“I’m not going to lie, Gary. It bothered me to see her with Junior. Now, I understand. I get it. I’m sorry I let jealousy and anger get in the way of getting to know my own nephew. My only nephew. Where is he, by the way?”

Garrison grinned. “Funny you should ask. He’s with Calista. He’s usually with me on Saturdays since she keeps him through the weekdays, but today, she wanted to take him to some exhibit at the children’s museum.”

Barringer smirked. “She would’ve been a good mother.”

“She is a good mother. She’s Garrison, Junior’s mother. And don’t worry too much about not having a child. I hope it happens for you and Calista one day, but even if it doesn’t, my son is your son, too. We’re brothers, Barry. We have to navigate through this life together. We’re both going through trying times right now, but it’ll get better.”

Barringer walked over to his brother and clasped his hand, throwing his other arm around his back and patting him there. “Thanks, Garrison. I owe you.”

“Good. Then you can give me my job back.”

Barringer smirked. “I’m surprised you want it back.”

“I didn’t at first, but Calista told me you needed help.”

Eyebrows raised, he asked, “Calista told you I needed help?”

“Yep.”

“How would she know?”

Garrison shrugged. “She’s your wife. Who knows you better than she does?”

Barringer grinned. “I suppose you’re right.”

“So what’s this I hear about a possible merger with The Champion Corporation?”

Barringer shook his head. “Pops thinks it’s a good idea. Says it’ll ensure job security. We’ll discuss it first thing Monday morning.”

“Does that mean I have the job?”

“Gary, you always had the job. Why do you think I never filled the position?”

Garrison’s mouth lifted into a lopsided grin. “Thanks, Barry.”

“You won’t be thanking me when you realize how much work you have to do.”

“I’m sure I’ll manage,” he said. Calista was right. Work would help him take his mind off of Vivienne. Off of everything that wasn’t right in his life. He was up for the challenge.