A Very Planned Meeting

A little thing I wrote a while ago.

It’s 09:00 and Calvin Peterson walks down the streets of Los Angeles with a growing sense of apprehension. He had been surprised to say the least when Allison had called him last month. They hadn’t really spoken since the divorce, and her news…. He glances at his phone, the display reads 09:02 am. At least he wasn’t that late yet. He arrives at the park feeling flustered. Deep breaths. Just take a look around… they’re not here yet.

Cal takes a seat on a bench underneath an ancient oak tree. There’s a good view of the street from here, so he’ll be able to see them walking up. 09:08 and Calvin’s mind begins to wander back to that phone conversation. “What’s her name?” had been his first question. “Claire” was the response, followed quickly by, “It means bright and clear”. Bright and clear. A bit pretentious, but who looks up name meanings anyway. “You’re sure she’s mine?”, “Very sure, I had them run a paternity test.”, “Why didn’t you tell me? It’s been two years since the divorce, Alli…”

Ironically, he and Allison had split because of kids in the first place. He had wanted them, she hadn’t, they called the lawyers, and the whole thing was done in a month. They told him that was fairly quick for a divorce, but it had seemed to take forever. He had loved her. In a way he still did, but they hadn’t worked in a practical sense. They didn’t want the same things existentially, they didn’t even like the same foods. He didn’t really know how they had made it through the four years of marriage at all.

09:14 and there’s still no sign of Allison or little Claire. What if they don’t show? What if Allison had a change of heart and doesn't want him to meet Claire ever? What if- Cal’s phone buzzed in his pocket. “Running late, sorry. Be there in a few - Allison”. So they’re still coming. Good. Better than good. It’s bloody brilliant. Cal stands up and starts pacing in front of the bench.

At 09:20 Cal sits back down on the bench, his foot bouncing. A car flies by, and Cal nearly trips to his feet, but it’s not them.

09:22 and Cal is sure that Allison is just pulling his leg. They won’t show, they’ll- a car pulls into the parking lot. Allison hops out of the driver’s seat and gives Cal a wave, then goes to open the door. Cal rises from his seat. From the car, a petite little girl springs out and starts jumping up and down, asking for something. Alli bends down and hands her a juice box. Cal hesitates, then starts for the car.

“Claire, honey. I want you to meet someone.”

“Yeah?”

“His name is Calvin.”

“Okay”

“Can you say hi?”

“Hi Calvim”

“CalviN, honey”

Cal crouches down next to Claire, “Hi Claire.” Claire gives a shy smile. Cal beams.

Author's Note

If you read the other story with the lead called Cal, they're not the same person, I just like the name.