Ben

After that night in the bar's parking lot, I took a chance and spent time with Rob. The more time we spent together confirmed a harsh truth. I'm gay.

I grew up in a home where my parents didn't accept homosexuality. My parents felt men fall in love with women. It didn't matter if you divorced and married another woman as long as it was a woman. I thought if I married Lina, that would be it. I never thought I would get divorced and fall in love with a man in a million years.

I didn't want to parade my new relationship around until the divorce became final. Rob understood. Plus, I didn't like introducing Kami to someone, so she got attached, and the relationship ended. It would be fair to her.

After my divorce became final and I knew things were serious between Rob and me, I introduced him to Kami. We walked up to the front door of my old house and stood there.

"Are you sure that you want to do this?" Rob asked me, giving me a look.

"My daughter is important to me. I want her to meet you and understand feeling happy is okay. Plus, she's my world," I reasoned.

"And Lina?  Have you told her about us?" Rob questioned.

"I tried, but I don't know how she would react. It's a lot for your ex to discover that you fell in love with another person, and they turn out to be a man."

Rob gave me an unsure look as I rang the doorbell. Lina answered it. "Mr. Miller, is there more paperwork to sign?"

Rob and I looked at each other as Lina looked at us curiously.

"Lina, Rob isn't here for you to sign the paperwork," I mentioned.

Lina's expression turned to confusion.

"Rob is my boyfriend," I admitted, shocking Lina.

"What?" Lina whispered.

"Rob and I started dating two months after our split. I realized why things seemed different between us," I explained, feeling guilty.

"You told me there wasn't another woman. Was it a man?" Lina questioned, looking hurt.

"No, I promise. I never cheated on you," I reassured Lina, who looked devastated. 

I felt a tug on my pant leg and saw Kami. She looked up at me, and I waited for Lina to explode. I deserved it.

"I'll get Kami's bag," Lina said, returning to the house.

I picked up Kami and carried her inside as Lina gathered Kami's bag and Spongebob stuff doll. She walked over and handed me the items.

"Lina," I said.

Lina wouldn't look at me.

"Say something. Yell at me. Tell me I'm a terrible person. Please," I begged.

Lina looked at me as I saw the crushed look on her face. "I can't," she whispered as she turned and walked away.

I stood there, then looked at Kami, who stared at me with her big brown eyes. At that moment, I realized that Lina didn't fight with me because she put our daughter first. She has every right to hate me, but she chose our daughter over her anger.

I walked into the kitchen and saw Lina looking out at the window.

"I know no matter what I say, it won't make you feel better. I'm sorry, Lina," I said.

Lina turned and looked at me. "Did you know during our marriage?" 

I looked at Lina. "No, I didn't," I answered truthfully.

Lina walked over to the table and sat down. I joined her.

"I thought you met a girl, fell in love, married, had kids, and then lived happily ever after. That's how my parents raised me, but it changed when they divorced," I explained.

I looked at Lina, who looked heartbroken. I hated seeing that I caused it. I wish it hadn't happened, but we don't always choose who we fall in love with. It happens.

"I don't hate you," Lina whispered, surprising the hell out of me. "I don't want Kami to have parents that hate each other and fight. She doesn't deserve it."

"No, she doesn't," I agreed.

We looked at each other. We could fight and argue, but Kami would suffer. I looked at Lina and decided to become her friend for the sake of our daughter. Even if we weren't together as a couple, I would do everything I could to protect her and Kami. Lina deserves it, considering I shattered her world. She deserves my respect.

*******
After that night, Lina and I slowly worked to become friends with each other. It took a while for her to accept my homosexuality and relationship with Rob. She never kept Kami from me, and we co-parent our child. We put our kid first. Some parents couldn't grasp this concept.

Rob and I came over to Lina's for dinner. Rob brought a chocolate cake, and Kami tried to sneak a taste. I stopped her.

"What do you think you're doing, missy?" I asked, catching Kami trying to stick her little finger in the cake. I picked her up and looked at her.

"But daddy, it's cake," Kami said, putting her tiny hands on my face and pressing.

"And no cake until after dinner," I said.

Kami looked at Lina, who looked at us as she cooked. "Mommy, tell daddy I want cake."

"You heard your father. No cake until after dinner," Lina told Kami.

"Phooey," Kami pouted as we laughed.

Rob walked over, picked up the cake, and put it up.

"How's work?" I asked Lina.

"It's okay. I'm hoping the owner offers me a promotion soon. The money would be nice," Lina mentioned.

"If you need help, you can come to me," I offered.

"Ben, you do enough for us. Whenever Kami needs something, you make sure she gets it," Lina reasoned.

"Well, the offer stands," I reasoned.

"I know, and it's fine. Are you still coming on Kami's first day of school?" Lina asked me.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world," I replied.

Lina smiled. I know it's difficult for Lina to see me with another person. Since our divorce, Lina refused to date. When I asked, she told me that Kami came first. I understand her reasoning, but parents deserve to feel happy. It doesn't make them less of a parent if their kids see them satisfied. If anything, it makes the child better adjusted.

One day, I hope Lina meets someone who will love her how she deserves love, even if I couldn't be the person. If anyone deserves love and happiness, it's my ex. If it does happen, I hope the person loves and cares about my ex and child, or they will answer to me. I promised to protect Lina since that's what best friends do for each other.

We might be divorced, but no rule says we can't be friends. If people miss that concept, then they miss the point.