Until There Was You by J.J. Bamber

tree. Sometimes I hear Bailey interviewing his toys and he sounds just like a news anchor. It's so funny." Nate smiled broadly.
    "You've done a good job with him. He's clearly a good kid," Ava said, looking away into the distance.
    "Thanks... I really needed to hear that. I didn't know that I needed to. But I did." Nate put his hand on top of his mother's gently.
    "I think that David wants to see you. He called last night. He saw the car outside when he was coming home from work. I would have passed you the phone, but you were bone tired. You were out for the count." Ava let her hand rest on Nate's. Nate felt her warmth, and he was surprised by the fact that he'd missed it much more than he had thought.
    "I don't know if I can see him. I want to, but you know. Without Jen here… And I missed her funeral and I feel like shit… I mean, I feel terrible about it. And it's just so sad. I think it's too sad and I'm not in a place to bring anything good to the table," Nate said, his voice cracking with sorrow.
    "That's very selfish."
    "I know. Maybe I am very selfish," Nate said.
    "Maybe… But I don't think so. And I know that you loved Jen and you love David and I think it would mean a lot to him if you went and explained. Or just laughed. Or cried. Or did whatever lifelong friends do when they haven't seen each other in a while." Ava sounded motherly and bold and wise.
    "I don't think that I can."
    "You get a choice in life. And whatever you do, if you're a good person, you know what is right and what is wrong. And you are a good person. So you know you have to call him. It's not too late." Her words were serious but kind. Then she let everything fall into silence as if she was giving Nate the time to come to a decision.
    "Why is it that both of us find it so easy to give advice to other people but find it so difficult to follow it ourselves? You know you could have called me anytime? I would have answered – I really needed you, even when I didn't want to admit it. You should have picked up the phone. I know that I should have too, but you're the parent." Rye could suddenly remember how desperately he had wanted to hear his mother's voice when Bailey was born and he was left in a house by himself, trying to navigate parenthood with nothing but parenting books and the internet.
    "I wish that I had, but I didn't know how. I didn't know how to start and the longer I waited the harder it became until I just didn't think it was possible. That's exactly why I can tell you to ring David – because I know how painful it is when you don't pick up the phone."
    "I'll try and meet him tonight. If you don't mind looking after Bailey for the evening. I don't think that it will take too long," Nate whispered.
    "Take as long as you need." Ava smiled, holding onto Nate's hand.
    *~*~*
    Nate walked into O'Hannigans. The smell of dried beer, cheap shots, and peanuts burst through the door and the light in the room was a deep, aquatic blue. The unmistakable sound of people playing pool mingled with the jovial chatter of people on their third drinks. Nate looked around and saw David sitting at one of the only freestanding tables, tapping his phone nervously. Nate hesitated before walking up to him. They had arranged to meet over the phone, but Nate had been not been certain that David would actually show up. So much had happened since they had last seen each other that meeting up with David felt a little like meeting up with a stranger.
    "Dave?" Nate asked reluctantly.
    David looked towards Nate, his face bright and his smile wide. He stood up quickly and wrapped Nate in a warm bear hug. Nate stood still for a second, a little nervous energy still working its way through his system, and then reciprocated the hug.
    "It is so good to see you," David said, genuine and heartfelt.
    "Really? I thought that you would want to kill me." Nate shrugged awkwardly. "Just, like, throw a whole bunch of rocks at me."
    "You think throwing rocks at someone is a