Later Sunday Aug 11.

There was a knock at the door and Bobbie got up to answer and it was Eddie. He came in and she hugged him. “Hi Eddie, I’m so sorry that you and Jenny have hit such a rough patch.”

He looked around. “Is she here?”

“No, she went for a long walk before your meeting.”

“That’s good. I guess she told you all about it.”

“Yes, she did. I am disappointed in her but I know she is really sorry and really wants to stay married and doesn’t want to break up the family. Do you think you can forgive her Eddie?”

“Of course, Mom. I was hurt and angry and I still love her but I seem to have lost my desire to be married.”

She motioned him to sit down and poured him a coffee and put a muffin on a plate. “What do you mean you’ve lost your desire to married?”

“I love being a father and I love my job. I just don’t love being a husband and I know I’m supposed to. I think Jenny deserves someone who will give her the support and intimacy she needs. I am not prepared to do that.”

“I think when you are married, you suck it up a bit and support your wife because she supports you sometimes.”

“I don’t want or need her support. Her support annoys me a little.”

“So, you’re telling me you want a conscious uncoupling.”

“I suppose so.”

Jenny walked in and looked at Eddie then at Bobbie.

Bobbie stood and grabbed her coffee. “Right, I’ll just go and work on the finances, in my office. Jenny there is ice water in the fridge, it’s so refreshing after a walk.” And she left them alone.”

20 minutes later Eddie called her back out. “So, Mom, we have agreed we want a trial separation. I’m going to stay at the house and make sure the kids get to Charlie’s in the mornings and Jenny will find herself a place to stay and have the kids on the weekends. She can pick them up after school sometimes and I might take them on the odd weekend. We want to stay flexible.”

“Is Jenny OK with you keeping the house?”

“For now, I don’t want to disrupt the children too much and we have to figure things out.”

Bobbie sat down. “What’s the point of a separation? Eddie will just realize he’s happier alone and you will just get closer to this Mac guy. Will you actually make up in the end?”

“Maybe Eddie will have the space he needs to deal with the loss of his father and want to get back together. And maybe I’ll see that the grass is not always greener.”

“True, you guys know what’s best.”

Eddie stood. “I’d better head back to work. Jenny is staying at the house the rest of the week. Do you mind if I come here tonight, Mom?”

“That’s what I figured Eddie. See you later.”

Jenny was looking down at her phone and Bobbie wasn’t sure what to say. “It’s great that you guys are able to agree on moving forward. The Kids will be far happier than if you were fighting with each other.”

“To be honest, I’m not happy the way Eddie’s been acting. I don’t think he was being a very good example of how to deal with your shit to his kids, so I just want him to be happier.”

Bobbie nodded. “Your kids are wonderful. They deserve happy parents.”

Bobbie stood up and began to clear the coffee cups and there was a knock on the door. “Come In.”

A sandy red-blond slightly, tanned, tall, well-built man came in. “Um. Jenny, are you here?”

“Oh Yes, Bobbie, this is Mac, I mean Brendon Mackay. He’s an orthopaedic surgeon that works at the hospital with Eddie and me. Mac, this is Eddie’s mother, Bobbie Orlov.”

Brendon looked like a deer caught in the headlights but Bobbie was curious about him and wasn’t letting him off the hook. “Hi Mr. Mackay, you can call me Bobbie, please come in and sit, I have a fresh pot of tea. Do you like tea.”

“Um yes, please just call me Mac, tea would be nice.” He perched uncomfortably on a stool beside Jenny.

Bobbie poured some tea and pulled a cookie tin out. “So, Mac, you just started working in Crow Harbour. Did you grow up here?

“No Mam, I grew up in Cap City, well in the suburbs. My dad was an architect and my mom worked in government as a medical technician for the Department of Health. I am the oldest of 4 brothers…”

“I see.” Said Bobbie. “So, an Ortho job opened up here and you decided to relocate. Do you have any family here?

Mac shook his head no.

Jenny got up and left the room to gather her things. Bobbie smiled and turned to Mac. “I guess my main thought is; Jenny is my grand babies’ mother so I’m a little protective and I just want to know what you want out of this relationship.”

“I met Jenny and Eddie and they were great and they even had me over to dinner and the whole family is great but Jenny is miserable and I don’t think anyone is looking out for her. I just want to see her happy. I really think she deserves that and I started out just to try and brighten her days. I’m really sorry It went so far but we started to fall for each other. I never wanted to destroy their family.  If she really wants me to, I’d have to leave and find a job some were else.”

“Don’t feel too bad Mac. Your concern for Jenny is nice, maybe not so innocent as you claim but I think Eddie and Jenny authored their own fate without your help. Mostly Eddie. He lost his grandfather, and his father last year and they were both important to him. Right after his father died, he lost another piece of his childhood because I sold the family home so I probably have just as much responsibility for screwing him up as you.”

“Thanks for saying so; I think. You seem like and ally to Jenny so I appreciate that.”

“Yes, I’m concerned about Jenny but I am also concerned for my grand kids. What do you imagine your relationship with them will be? They are a big part of Jenny’s life.”

“I’ve thought about that. I know that Jenny is a package deal. I mentioned that I have 3 younger brothers. I know how to be a big brother. That’s how I plan to approach our relationship.”

Bobbie nodded. “A much older brother. Or maybe an uncle. I have great memories of hanging out with my uncles…”

Jenny came into the kitchen. “What are you guys talking about.”

“Bobbie wanted to know my intentions towards you and her grand kids.”

Bobbie smiled.

Jenny rolled her eyes and held up her party dress. “This was all cleaned and fixed and on my bed. Did you do that Bobbie?”

Bobbie shook her head. “Effie must have snuck in here and cleaned the room. She likely changed the bed too.”

Jenny sighed. “Please thank her for me. I’ll get these clothes back to you when I can. Come on Mac we have to pick up the kids. This isn’t too awkward or anything.”

Mac had his shell-shocked expression again but he shook it off. “Thanks for the talk, Bobbie, I’d like to see you again under better circumstances and thanks for the tea.”

Bobbie nodded and waved.

It was getting close to four o’clock and she was expecting Eddie at 6 so she went to her deep freeze and got out some cabbage rolls. Then she ran downstairs to catch the last of the tea service and steal a couple pieces of cheesecake. She thanked Mark and went back upstairs. She felt a little wound up so she went into her media room and put on some music and worked on a sock for a while. She was halfway through turning a heel when Eddie showed up.

He washed his hands in the kitchen sink and joined her in the living room. “Hi mom, are you working out your worries by knitting? I’m sorry you had to get involved with our drama today.”

“No problem, Eddie, I just tried to help. I’m not sure I succeeded though. I met Mac.”

“You did? I suppose he picked up Jenny.”

“I liked him. He seems thoughtful and concerned about Jenny and the boys and even you a bit. Honestly, he reminded me of a golden retriever how could you not like him?

Mark blinked a couple of times. “You’re right, he is like a golden retriever. I actually like him too. Is that weird?”

“I think we’re both supposed to hate him for being a home wrecker.”

“Ya but he’s not really the home wrecker, is he?” Eddie laughed a little ruefully. “Jenny had a golden retriever when she was a kid.”

“Oh Eddie! I think he’ll be good to the kids though. He assures me he doesn’t want to be a father figure. You remember Alan, Dad’s Partner? We used to be great friends. When they were growing the business, he used to be at our house a lot. I remember, years ago, you were playing on the rug, driving cars over my feet and I was holding a sleepy Charlie on my lap and I caught Alan starting at me with almost a longing look in his eyes. Like he wanted us to be his family. I don’t get that vibe from Mac at all.”

“I know. I see him treat children at the hospital, he’s great.”

“He grew up with 3 younger brothers in Cap City, his dad is an Architect and his mom is a Med Tech.”

“Dear God Mom, did he fill out an application? What’s for supper anyway?”

“No, I plied him with tea and cookies. I’ll go put some cabbage rolls in the oven now and we’ll have cheesecake for dessert.”

“I think I like being your guest.”