Chapter 20

Jon entered Dot’s apartment after a light knock at the half open front door. The concierge already called ahead, so she knew he was coming.

“Hi Dot.” He greeted her when she walked out of the kitchen with a cup of coffee in her hands.

“Hi Jon. What are you doing here? The kids are still at school and Jake and Romeo will spend the afternoon with your parents?” Dot wondered.

“Yeah, I know…there’s something I wanna talk with you about.” Dot watched him for a second. She knew that day would come.

“Coffee?” she asked before walking back into the kitchen.

“Yes, please.” Jon followed her and sat down at the table, wondering how he should start.

“How old is she?” Dot asked when she put the cup of coffee in front of him. He looked up surprised. She grinned.

“You ain’t the type for being alone for long, Jon. I already wondered when you would find someone again.”

Jon sighed. “Yeah, you are right….she has her 26^th birthday in a couple weeks.” Dot had to stop herself from saying something mean. But she knew her ex-husband. If this wouldn’t be serious for him, he wouldn’t tell her about it.

Jon watched Dot and could see a bit anger, pain and frustration in her eyes. “Please don’t tell me she’s a model.” Dot said dryly.

“No,…hell, no…” Jon assured her immediately. I would never replace her for a younger model. That’s what he said when they were still happily married.

“She’s a pediatrician at Harlem Hospital Center.”

Dot looked at him surprised. “With 26?”

“Yeah, she’s a little genius. Graduated from High school with 16.”

“Wow.” Dot was impressed. Maybe that woman wasn’t as bad as she thought. “What’s her name?”

“Kimberly.” Jon said with shining eyes. Dot could tell he really liked her. She was happy for him, but at the same time it hurt just a little. For more than two decades he had this shining in his eyes when he was talking about her.

“And you are sure she not just after your money and some fame.” She asked rather bluntly. His eyes met her eyes and she could see anger there.

“Jon…I’m not saying that because I don’t want you to be together with someone again,…I just don’t want you to get hurt…” Jon frowned lightly.

“Listen,…” she put her hand on his and he looked at her again. “…We’ve been together so long…as I said you aren’t able to stay alone for long, I just don’t want you to rush into something and then a couple weeks later everything is over…I don’t want you to get hurt.” He watched her carefully while she was talking and could see that she was holding back the tears.

“I know Dotty…” he whispered softly, using his personal nickname for her. She bit her bottom lip. He didn’t call her that in a long time. But know it was too late.

He took her hand in his and smiled sadly. “You could always read me like a book. Thanks for still looking out for me.”

“That’s what friends are for. You are doing the same for me.” Dot said and was fighting hard for control. Why was this so damn hard? She really thought she was through this. But him being in a relationship again opened the old wounds again.

She got up and walked over to the coffee machine. She needed to get some distance between them. Jon watched her standing with the back to him.

A couple years ago, he would have followed her and hugged her, now he wasn’t allowed to do it anymore. How could he put her through all this? How could he make her go? The woman he loved more than half his life?

He sighed. “You don’t have to worry about me…” he continued as if nothing happened after Dot’s last question. “…Kim has more money as I have and always tried to keep her life as private as possible.”

Dot turned around surprised. “Really?”

“Her parents were Matthew and Diane Anderson.” He said softly, knowing Dot could place the names.

“Oh, my God. She must have gone through hell, when they couldn’t find them.” Dot remembered the news three years ago rather well. Jon nodded.

“It still hurts to talk about them.” He said with a deep sigh.

“I’m sure it does…” she paused shortly. “…you want her to meet the kids, right?”

“I would really like that…and I would like to tell them, especially Steph and Jesse.”

“Are you asking me for permission?” Dot asked lightly amused. Jon chuckled.

“Well, no  ...not really…but let’s face it, when you… as their mother… don’t like the idea of our kids meeting Kim, you could make things rather complicated.” Dot grinned lightly about his nervous babbling. Does he really think I would act like that?

“…and besides, Kim and I will probably be photographed soon together and I wanted you to get to know from me…I think I owe you that much.” He nearly whispered the last words.

She smiled softly. Hopefully all this wouldn’t feel this weird anymore in a couple years.

“Do you really think I would try to get in the way?” She asked softly.

“No, it’s…..I…” Jon started. She put her hand on his left shoulder and shook her head.

“I’m happy for you Jon and when you think it’s time that they get to know her, it will happen.” She assured him. He looked at her relieved.

“They are your kids too…and just because you deposited them here, doesn’t mean I have to decide or deal with anything and everything.” Dot continued only half joking.

Jon laughed out loud. “Ok, what did they do?”

“I tell you later, first I need some more facts about Kimberly. You know how investigative especially your daughter is.” She said and sat down again.

“Oh, yeah…” he smiled and grabbed her hand. “Thanks Dot.”

“You are welcome, Jon.”