The Anniversary

“Erm, yeah.”

“And you really like her.”

Carl nodded. Toby didn’t need to be a genius to know that Carl had a thing for the girl who had stood at his bedside holding his hand while the doctors worked on him. She seemed to be a calming influence on him. Toby had been surprised to see her – Charlotte was Carl’s best friend and would always run to support him – but was pleased that she had calmed Carl down enough so they could treat him. Carl hated hospitals but this was the first time he sat still.

“She’s a pretty girl, Carl. I can see why you and this guy are fighting over her. Although I would prefer baseball bats not being in the equation.”

“We weren’t fighting, Dad.” Carl protested. “Louise is single and her ex is jealous even though they broke up weeks ago. He intimidates any man who goes near her.”

Toby sighed. Some things didn’t change. Guys who thought they were macho and saw a certain woman as their property tended to make sure no one strayed onto their property. Even when they weren’t together they tried to make certain nobody else took what was theirs.

“But you still like her.”

From the way Carl blushed he did. And it was more than a simple crush.

“She’s a lovely person, Dad. We talked last night after dinner and she asked if we could hang out sometime.”

“Does that constitute as a date nowadays?”

“Yes, it does.”

Toby raised his hands.

“Hey, don’t look at me like that. I haven’t only had one girlfriend and our dating days were nearly thirty years ago. I’m not exactly ‘down’ with the terminology nowadays.”

Carl chuckled.

“You don’t do too bad for an old man.”

“You watch it. When you get to my age you’ll think seventeen is a baby.”

Carl grunted.

“Anyway, she asked if we could hang out. I said yes but…”

He trailed off, waggling a hand that said he was uncertain. Toby caught on quickly.

“You’re having second thoughts.”

“Not exactly second thoughts. More like worries.” Carl rubbed his hands over his face. “You and Mom told us about what happened to you when you started dating. Your family threw you out and disowned you.” He bit his lip. “I didn’t want Louise to lose her family because I’m black and they don’t want her near black guys.”

“You’re not black.”

“Not completely but I’m not completely white either. I love my heritage and everything but not everyone feels the same way.”

Toby could sympathize with that. Things had been bad when he and Simone got together. Simone had been beaten up by his friends because he refused to walk away so they had turned on her. Toby had cut off contact with all of them, gaining respect from Simone’s friends. They were more accepting and saw Toby as a nice boy. A lot of them were still in contact with him twenty-five years down the line.

While racial tensions weren’t as bad as they had been when he was in high school, they still weren’t great. Prod it in the wrong place and it could blow up. Carl was right to be cautious but Toby didn’t want him losing the chance to date a decent girl who genuinely liked him because of that. He nudged his son’s knee with affection.

“It’ll be fine. Things were bad back when I was your age. It’s down to the bare minimum now. People are more tolerant today. Louise’s parents won’t care.”

“I hope they don’t.” Carl sighed and looked at him. “I really like her, Dad.”

“I know. I can tell.”

It was really sweet to see his son’s first crush. Simone had talked about wanting to witness it for herself but this time Toby got the chance to see something for the first time himself. And Toby appreciated Carl coming to him for advice.

Deciding the time for mushy conversation was over, Toby moved to put his legs on the lounger and sit back.

“What are you going to do now, seeing as you’ve suddenly got a day off?”

“I was planning on sitting out here with my laptop or having a swim.” Carl glanced towards the pool. “The doctors said I could swim as long as I keep my stitches dry. So it’s just the breaststroke for me for now.”

“Well, I’m planning on having a swim shortly myself.” Toby picked up the suntan lotion bottle and tossed it at Carl. “Pop that stuff on and then you can join me.”

“Dad!” Carl held it up. “I’m not a child anymore.”

“I know you’re not, Carl, but you know you burn badly and it’s a hot day today. You don’t want any more pain right now, do you?”

For a moment it looked like Carl was going to argue. He didn’t like putting lotion on but Toby knew he would remember the times when he ignored his parents and ended up in agony because his skin ended up bright red and tight. It was amazing he hadn’t ended up with skin cancer already.

Eventually Carl sighed and popped the cap.

“Fine.”

Toby grinned and settled back in his lounger.

*****

Simone bit back a groan as her phone buzzed again with another call. Putting her mug down and picking up her cell, she glanced at the number and put it back down again. Maria raised her eyebrows.

“Aren’t you going to answer that?” She asked.

“It’s only Toby.” Simone picked up her coffee mug again. “I’ll call him back later.”

Now her coffee morning with Maria, something they had done every week for twenty-five years, was beginning to feel bittersweet. Simone had been looking forward to getting away from the house and all the tension between her and Toby but it seemed Toby couldn’t leave her alone. He kept calling her and sending texts, asking – no, demanding – to know where she was and who she was with.

Simone was beginning to get frustrated and frightened. Toby had never acted like this before and it was affecting her. She couldn’t concentrate on talking to her sister, her thoughts stuck on Toby and why he was acting like he didn’t trust her.

“What’s wrong with him? That’s the sixth time he’s called.”