Bella has friends over. Boys and girls. I believe 7 in total. They’re in the basement playing a game. “No funny business dumbass.” I smiled at her. “Shut up dad.”

Rules are set.

Our routine Friday dinners with the Madden’s. Local establishment followed by a visit back to the Marie’s for a Bourbon or Tequila siping, smoking cigars, and a variety of choices. We meet again at our favorite establishment El Limon in Ambler. Except this time, you were replaced with the Casey’s. Joe and Guadalupe Casey. There was an instant bond between the both of them. Good people are easier to get along with. Dinner as always is great. I had a bite or two. Couldn’t finish my 2nd taco. El Pastor, traditional. Extra lime and cilantro. Abbey didn’t get your usual nachos no meat that you two used to share. I started to order it for her, but she compromised for the table. It broke my heart. The little things that we remember you by. They break my heart.

 

My day was slower than usual. Studio was empty except for Rich, Jenn and Sarah. Rest of team was working from home or from wherever they are. We don’t care, as long as the work is getting done. Own it. We don’t give a fuck where you do it from. Just do it.

 

I came home. Bella and some of her friends were playing pool in the front room. The room that you and I fought about when we bought the house. It inspired me to write a commercial about it:

Front room was a couple’s debate.
Wife: Make it a library or a formal living room.

Husband: Why, so it’d be a wasted room and collect dust?

Wife (Quizzical brow up): What do you suggest we do?

Husband: Pool room.

Wife (More of a tyrant’s statement than a question): You’re shitting me?

Husband: It’s brilliant.

Wife: Never, ever. You’re an idiot. I’ll figure something out. It’ll be hooked up.

End Scene. Fade to black.
Title Up: 2 YEARS LATER
Fade up from black

Husband: Room’s still empty.

Wife: Working on it.

Husband: It’s been 2 years. What about a Pool table?

Wife: What do you mean?

Husband (Sensing a crack in the armor): You know, a furniture-looking pool table.

Wife: Hmmm… isn’t odd the first thing people walk in they see a pool table?

Husband (In for the kill about to close, tempering his excitement): Maybe, but if it looks inviting and part of the big picture, I’m sure you’ll hook it up.

Wife: You know I’d kill that bitch.

Husband: Damn right you will.

Wife: I want it out of mahogany.

Husband (Final touches): How about hooked up black barstools?

Wife: YES. This will become our entertainment room when we’re having poker nights.

Husband: You’re brilliant. I’ll call (Telecom Company Insert Here) to put in a TV.
Fade to black.
Logo Up

Flash Room.

 

I always was inspired by our stories to write ideas for commercials. I remember writing this:

Title Up: Based on true story.

Husband: Taking her off-roading with the boys.

Wife: The hell you are.

Husband: You’re underestimating her, she’s made for this, she can handle it.

Wife: You’re not taking my baby off-roading. She only off-roads at Nordstrom’s parking lot.

Husband: She’ll be fine. I’ll wash her when we get back.

Wife: You’re an idiot. You’re not taking her. End of discussion.

Cut.

Land Rover LR4 parked in mall lot. Nordstrom signage in background out-of-focus.

 

I miss talking to you, I butt dialed you last night. I felt I was calling someone by accident. I picked up my phone out of my pocket and saw your face. I was dialing you. This was the image I had saved for when you called me.

We were dining in North Wales at a Mexican restaurant with friends. There were a lot of us that night. Big party. Naturally you had to put on a performance for all. Enough said.

You didn’t care. I didn’t care. We only cared about laughing. I miss laughing. I haven’t laughed in a while. It’s not coming out. I’m trying to force it, and God knows people around me are trying to make me laugh. But it’s not coming out. It’s not “sincere.”

 

I miss your body. Your touch. Your warmth. My lord do I miss you.

I used to play a game with you every once in a while. You’d tell me the 10 things you would like for me to do to you. You would list them to me one by one. Frame by frame. As in a storyboard. And I remember. Every frame. I visualize it with you. I learn about you. I no longer assume. I now know your pressure points. Efficient. Why waste time? Next time it was my turn. I tell you my 10 things. You learn about me. You no longer assume. You now know my pressure points. Efficient. Why waste time?

 

Earlier in the morning Bella wanted me to make her crepes. No perception of the world around them. Fucking idiots.
“Would love to babe, but got to go to work. Google it. Learn the recipe. You make it for yourself.”

She did. Not bad. Not bad at all.

 

I am not sad baby. I just miss you.

Good night my sweet.

I love you,

Me