Free Into the Future: A Callahan Novel by Celya Bowers

and little by little, the real Paul slowly materialized.”
    He was quiet while she continued her story.  “I’m guessing right after the kids were born.”
    “Moreso, after I got the job with the city.  I didn’t take the BAR exam until after Tatum was born.  Up until then, I stayed home finishing law school, while Paul worked.  Everything was fine as long I had nothing of my own.  Once I landed the job with the city, things changed.”
    “Some men can’t deal with a spouse’s success.  It makes them feel less.”  He paused a second.  “Just for the record, I’m totally cool with your success.  I want you to be the best person you can be.”
    Those words made her heart swell with pride.  “If I didn’t love you like crazy, that statement would have definitely did it.”

NINE
     
    Saturday morning, Tristan prepared for PJ’s soccer game.  It was going to be a good day. After the game, they were going to have lunch, then the kids were going with their grandparents.  Then he and Lizzy had the whole weekend together.
    He was eating breakfast when his cell phone rang.  He hoped nothing was wrong with the kids. He glanced at the display and smiled as he answered it.  “Hello, Mom.”
    “Well, hello stranger,” his mother said. “I’ve heard through your sister that you and Lizzy are back together.”
    “Yes, Mom.  You are correct.”
    “So you decided that you were wrong for blaming her for the deeds of her ex-husband?”
    “Yes, Mom. You were absolutely correct.  I should have listened to you in the first place.”
    She chuckled.  “Ha! A man listened to his mother about his girlfriend!  That would be a first.  I’m just glad you saw your mistake before some other man snapped her up.”
    He knew his parents loved Lizzy and her kids. “Yes, I’m on the way to PJ’s soccer game.”
    “That’s why I’m calling,” she said in her Irish mother voice.
    Oh this wasn’t good.  “Why?”
    “Your father turns sixty-five next month and I’ve decided to throw him a birthday party.  Amelia’s daughter-in-law did such a wonderful job decorating her house for her birthday, she agreed to do the same for me.”
    He knew of Rain Callahan’s flair for decorating.  She was a new addition to the Callahan family when she married Sean.  It was a whirlwind courtship, being that they met on vacation in Ireland. “Sounds like a great idea, but what’s this got to do with Lizzy?”
    “Does having sex with her take all your brain cells?  I want her and the kids to come to the party.”
    Only his mother would ask such a question.  Well maybe, Cam’s mother, or his aunt.  Subtlety was not their thing. Sharp tongues, and big hearts, the whole lot of them, he mused.   “I think that’s a lovely idea.”
    “Why don’t you bring them over tonight?”
    “They’re going to visit their other grandparent this weekend,” Tristan said. 
    “Oh, well I know what that means.  I was young once too.  I hope you plan on taking her out to eat before you guys hit the sheets.”
    “Mom, please.  We agreed not to have these kinds of discussions.  No talk of you and Dad doing anything remotely sexual.  My brain can’t handle it.”
    “I don’t know when you became such a prude. I’m just glad your siblings aren’t like you.”
    “Mom, I just can’t wrap my head around the idea.”
    “It’s a good thing your father can.”
    “Goodbye, Mom.  I love you.”  He ended the call before his mother started spouting details of his parents’ sex life.
     
    An hour later Tristan arrived at the soccer field.   He scanned the various fields and soon spotted Lizzy.  She was sitting with Cam and Izzy.  As he walked toward the trio, he marveled at the changes in Campbell Callahan since he married Dr. Izabella Carter. 
    His friend since childhood was anxiously awaiting the birth of his first child.  So anxious that he went overboard making sure his wife was protected.  While he was at work, Izzy