A Family Man by Sarah Osborne Read Free Book Online

weed. It looked like she was going to be tall and blonde like her mom. Another real beauty. "Ketchup and mustard?" He shook his head as she smothered the dog. "Disgusting."
     
    Ignoring him she bit into the hotdog and watched him as he ate his own. She loved it when she got to spend the day alone with Joe. It didn't happen that often; usually they would stay round Nana Sophie's or Beth would come out with them for the day. That was good, too. But having Joe all to herself was best of all. She wandered back to her bike, wiping her fingers on the napkin and throwing it in the bin. "Maybe you should get a bike, Joe."
    "Nah, don't think so, sugar. I like my bikes to have engines."
    "Can I have a motorcycle when I get older?"
    "That's something you'll have to take up with your mom."
    "You could teach me how to ride. It would be fun."
    "Tell you what, sugar. We'll have this conversation again when you're seventeen."
    "Will you still love me when I'm seventeen?"
    "I'll always love you." Joe frowned; he knew that expression. Something was bothering her. "You gonna tell me what's going on in that head of yours?"
    Amy shook her head. She was worried that when Joe found out about Rob, her mom's new boyfriend, he wouldn't come round any more. She really wanted to talk to Joe about it, but Mommy had told her she shouldn't. She climbed back on her bike. "Can we go to the swings?"
    "Sure." Joe followed as she sped off. Something was definitely going on. As much as he didn't want to, it looked like he and Maria were going to have to have a little chat.
     
    "Hi, sweetheart. Did you have fun?" Maria looked up from her book as Amy breezed in, followed closely by Joe. "Joe?"
    "Can we talk?"
    "Sure. Amy why don't you go put a DVD on? Me and Joe need to have a little chat."
    Amy did as she was asked. Joe frowned as she seemed to shrink into herself a little. "It's okay, sugar. We won't yell."
    Maria led him out into the back yard. "Something wrong?"
    "Not sure." He shrugged. "Amy seems bothered about something, but she ain't saying what."
    Maria sighed. "I've met someone."
    "Oh."
    "He's nice, kind. Not like…”
    "Me?"
    She shook her head. "I don't love him like I love…loved you. But I like him." She looked at her hands. "I think Amy's scared you won't wanna stick around if there's another man on the scene."
    Joe sighed and lit a cigarette. "He treat you and Amy okay?"
    "Yeah. Like I said, he's kind."
    "And Amy. Does she like him?"
    "Yeah. She says she does."
    "If he hurts either of you, I will kill him." He stood up and walked back into the house. "Amy?" He sat on the floor, next to her. "Your mom told me about her new boyfriend."
    "Oh. Are you mad?"
    "Of course not. You like him?"
    "He's okay." She kept her eyes downcast.
    "It's okay sugar. It's good that you like him."
    "I love you, though." She shuffled closer, so her body was pressed close to him. "I love you best of all."
    "Good to hear." He gently stroked her hair. "I love you too." Kissing the top of her head, he stood up. "I'm gonna have to go. Take care."
    "Joe?"
    "Yes, sugar?"
    "You will still come and see me?"
    "You just try keeping me away."
     
    Sophia smiled as her son walked in and kissed her on the cheek. "Hey, Ma."
    "Hey. Did Amy have fun?"
    "Yeah." He took the coffee she offered and sat at the table. "Did you know Maria had a new guy?"
    "Maria has a boyfriend? No I had no idea." She cocked her head. "Did Amy tell you?"
    "Nah. I think Maria had told her to keep it quiet. Kid thought if I found out I'd bail."
    "And will you?"
    "Ma!"
    "I'm sorry." She shook her head. "I really should have more faith in you."
    He gave a short, humorless laugh. "Why change the habits of a lifetime?"
    "Harsh, son." She grinned. "You going to eat before you leave?"
    "Sure."
     
    It was dark by the time he got back to Bay View and the clubhouse was practically empty. Only Mac and Long John, playing pool, and Spike with his face buried in the ample breasts of a buxom brunette. Long John looked up as