***Edited by Demirath, thank you. -->LizzysFriend
***You told me not to do it, Dad. I did it anyway. It's not a real story.
"Man, will Beth be surprised when I show up home a whole day early," I thought as I drove my car home from the airport.
I had been gone for almost four weeks and this last contract job had been grueling, with twelve- to fourteen-hour days and constant stress from both the customer and my own bosses. I was more than ready to start our vacation. With all the overtime I had put in, these next couple weeks of downtime were sorely needed.
I was a little annoyed that my father in law's truck was parked on my side of the driveway when I got home. Only because I would have to back into the driveway to keep from getting my shoes wet from an earlier rain. I was always cautious with these high dollar shoes my wife bought me. It made me sick to my stomach when she told me they were over three hundred dollars at the time. My job paid well, but I went through sticker shock from the cost of my own wardrobe she occasionally purchased.
Dad, as I called him, has been living with us for almost a year. Out of everything this last year, I was proud how things worked out with him. I turned off the engine and sat in the car remembering the day I made him move in with us.
What did he say that day? Oh yeah... We were at his ranch house, arguing.
"James, I just can't leave her" he said.
"Why?" I asked.
"She needs someone to take care of her."
"Well, you sucked at it, and it is time to cut your losses before you die."
"I have been loyal to her for forty two years."
"Dad, you've enabled her to grow into that fat four hundred pound cow that sits on that damn couch. How many years, Dad, have you gone without her cooking a meal for you? How many years has she not done dishes, vacuumed the floor, or even given you a blow job. I am betting on at least ten."
"More than that, I guess," he said.
"Beth told me she wanted me to save you, and that means you have to leave her."
"She will starve."
"She will walk to the refrigerator and cook her own damn meals. She gets up to use the toilet."
"I will be a failure as a husband."
"You failed as a man already, time to man up. It's a new day."
"I am not going."
I cracked my knuckles and loomed over him.
After all, I am a pretty big man. I never had to threaten him in the past but I was tired of this bullshit.
"You either get into my fucking truck willingly or I am going to bust my hand on your face." I said seriously.
He stood up a little taller, judging the situation. Would he really fight me? He let out a long breath and deflated after only a few seconds.
"Look, Butch, you lost this fight, but it doesn't mean the end of your life. I am offering you a better life. It's a better life for her too although it will be a lot of work if she even wants it. My boys want to spend time with their grandfather. My wife wants her father happier. I am offering you a place to live, work for yourself, and maybe get laid in the future."
"Twenty two years."
"Huh?"
"I haven't been laid in twenty two years."
I put my arm on his shoulder. "Then you should have left her twenty one years ago."
"I don't know how. I am scared and old. Arlene was the only woman I ever slept with, and unlike you. I am terrible with women. Your teenage boys get more female attention than I ever did. Your oldest had girls calling him all day long when he was visiting."
"I trained him, Dad. I can train you but for that to happen you have to come home with me."
"I guess. Do I pack? I..."
"You start by giving me your cell." He looked at me perplexed but handed it to me. It was an older flip phone. I easily broke it in half.
"Now, just go get in my truck. Beth will go shopping for some new clothes for you. You need a new style anyway. Don't wake Mom, just walk out the door."
So he did. We talked all the way back on the three hour drive to my house that night. How can a man so old not know how to talk to women? It perplexed me.
He had no meaningful purpose once we left, so I gave him a temporary one and it stuck. Within a month of living with us he had a smile plastered on his face most of the time. Every night after work and dinner I enjoyed teaching him with my boys on things I learned in life. Within two months, my mother in law died. He didn't even want to attend the funeral. Beth and I did. There was only the two of us. She was a real bitch besides being hideously fat.
Ironically, she died in a car wreck driving to the store. We had her body cremated and buried her remains next to my late brother on law. Damn his soul to hell too, since he was an abusive ass when he was alive.
Our family unit seemed to bloom after that. Only... Dad was not trying to date. He watched my seventeen and sixteen year old fumble with girls but was afraid to use any advice I gave him. That was until I took them all to the mall for Christmas shopping about three months ago. I think that trip was the catalyst.
"Twenty five this year, boys, or you will walk home," I said from the driver's seat of my extended cab truck.
They both nodded. "They barely got the fifteen last year, and its cold, and seven miles. " Beth said. "Why are you so mean to them?"
I looked at her. This was a test. "If you grew a dick you would know this is a teaching moment. They must overcome their fear."
"Relax Mom, I'll probably have twenty five within an hour," the eldest boy said. She didn't seem happy but I didn't care. She stormed out of the truck. The boys got out, but Butch stayed in the back seat.
"Something wrong Dad?"
"What does twenty five mean?" he asked.