Chapter 76

Thomas gets home to Alana cleaning around and Tommy playing his video games. He sees that Pizza is for dinner, that she didn't cook. He remembers when she would every day, and they would sit down to a home-cooked meal. Now it was here and there, saying she was too tired from work, so it was leftovers or take out.

Thomas still can't figure out how things have come so far away from what they were. He also sees that it's Sunday and they normally go to his parent's house for dinner. He wasn't sure that was happening today either.

"Hey, I am home. How was your day?" Thomas asks.

"It was busy, I had some errands to run and chores to do. How was your day?" Alana replies.

"It was ok, mostly on the road to get back home. The conference was a good one, and I think I made some good timing. It's about time to go to my parents for dinner." Thomas states.

"Oh, I forgot all about that. We did eat. We are not really hungry you can go alone if you like. I was thinking about taking a hot bath and heading to bed." Alana comments.

"I would really like if you would come with me. I know they are not your favorite people but they do except us every Sunday its been a tradition since we got married. I would like to keep at least one thing the same." Thomas answers.

"I don't think one Sunday will kill them, Thomas. Think of it as your Valentine's gift to me." Alana responds.

"Ok, as long as next Sunday things go back to normal?" Thomas says.

"Yea, I guess," Alana replies.

"I was thinking Thursday night we can go bowling as a family. What do you think?" Thomas reveals.

"Why Thursday? You know I work late one a Thursday." Alana barks.

"I know, but it's a night that Tommy doesn't have any practices, so we can go together. We can have dinner at the bowling ally and hang out for a few. I don't think one Thursday would hurt? Can you try to do the late-night on Wednesday maybe?" Thomas asks.

"I will see what I can do. No promises." Alana answers.

"Oh mom it would be nice, we never get to do things like that," Tommy says overhearing.

"I will see what I can do sweetheart. You really would like that?" Alana asks.

"Yes, I think it would be fun." Tommy states.

Alana just smiles knowing Thomas just got what he wanted because of there son. She would do anything to keep him happy. She would just have to tell Luke, she couldn't see him this Thursday, even though she was looking forward to it.

Thomas sees that for Tommy, Alana may give in. It was the one thing on his side. The one thing they shared. Thomas just smiles to himself feeling Thursday he will do his best to make them both have a great time, and maybe get her a little closer to him.

He puts his suitcase upstairs in his room and heads out to his parent's house. Giving Alana her wish of staying home, even though he would rather she went with him. He knew he had to give a little to get a little. It was better than nothing.

When he gets to his parent's house, it's the same as always, his mother in the kitchen and his father watching the news.

"Hey, son, what's up? Where is the family?" Sr. Asks.

"They are at home, I was away on business so they ate already. Alana is tired she will be here next week." Thomas answers.

"How did Valentine's go? Did you work on anything?" Sr. asks.

"I tried, I just didn't get far. I didn't forget it this year as I normally do. It just seems that she wasn't very into it at all, she didn't give me anything and wasn't into much." Thomas comments.

"She really is making you work for it, isn't she? You have been trying at "fixing this" for while now. I don't see anything being fixed. Maybe getting worse if you ask me." Sr. responds.

"I told her I wanted things to change, that I wanted to try to get things back. She wasn't that into any of that either but Thursday we are going out as a family. I am taking them bowling. I am going to see what I can do. I am not giving up on this, that easy. Just something she said while she was talking to me made no sense." Thomas reveals.

"What did she say?" Sr. asks.

"She said she went to a spa this weekend. She never did that before, I was calling, texting. She didn't answer me for two days. I left tons of messages. I am not sure if she just wanted to ignore me, or was busy with someone else." Thomas admits.

"Oh, Jesus son/ your still on the someone else thing I see. I don't know what to tell you anymore. You got yourself in a bit mess, I am not sure why you didn't just do this shit before. You let it go to get this far. Everything you just told me, doesn't sound or look good. Unless she is just making you sweat now that she sees you wanting to try. I find this all to be bullshit. She didn't ask us to take Tommy for her suppose spa thing either. Who took care of him?" Sr. replies.

"Her parents. She said it was a spur of the moment, but she didn't answer me on Friday either. I know its a big mess, you think I don't see this? I don't know this? I am racking my brain trying to fix this shit. Every time I try to get close she pushes further away from me. I asked her if she loved me, she said not the way I would want her to. What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" Thomas Barks.

"OH, it means she isn't in love with you. God, damn it son, what the fuck. I think you are wasting your time. At this rate, you need to just make arrangements that she doesn't leave you so you don't look like a total ass in front of everyone. I am not sure your going to get the marriage your now all of a sudden wanting with her. You just need to cover your ass." Sr. yells.

"I am not looking for that, I want more. I want my life back. All this over some sex? For that romance shit?! I understand about me not being there at times but the rest is just bullshit."Thomas spats.

"Maybe, but it sure doesn't seem that way to her. Maybe buy her something expensive? Surprise her at work? You just better do something. I really don't care about anything but what the people will say. You have everything and you will have nothing. She will take the house, your son, all your worked for." Sr. states.

"She isn't taking anything, because we are not getting a divorce." Thomas answers.

"You better hope not!" Sr. spats.