Page 10 of Spending Forever With You

“Excuse me?” Skyla said, bringing me back to reality.

“Oh my apologies, not you, just talking to the dead that still think they got jokes. And I’m sure you’ve already informed Hollis.”

She frowned in confusion.

“No, honestly. I assumed she would be in attendance with you today, given your relationship status. As I said before, the letter was set to go out. But now, my concern is if you’re still in communication or contact with your wife. I will be blunt, if you're not, none of what I have to say will matter beyond this point. So before I continue, can you assure me of that?”

Of course I lied.

“Yes, we’re in contact. We’re still together, just didn’t know that we were still legally married.” Skyla squinted, quietly reading me, then continued.

“Okay, well, let’s start with the minor details. Your grandfather has a clause set in place that you and Mrs. Deacon have to be in a good relationship status to inherit the property and the assets.” I snorted at her referring to Hollis as Mrs. Deacon.

That was never her name even when she owned the title.

I nodded as I went for a bottle of water, taking a sip first, thinking about how fucked up my shit was.

A good status?

My damn wife wouldn’t even allow me to breathe the same air as her.

“Define good status?”

“Um… ya know, not legally separated, living together and not on the verge of getting a divorce. Those are the terms your grandfather has listed in his will.”

Well shit, we’re not now, but once Hollis finds out, she’s going to re-file yesterday.

“Can he legally do that?”

She snickered.

“Yes. For both of you to inherit. But if things aren’t, then this whole situation could get messy and take months, possibly years, in probate court before going to your cousin Raymond. I don’t like messes, so please tell me for the sake of keeping this all clean that you and Mrs. Deacon are on good terms and living together.”

I released a heavy sigh. “Yes, we’re on good terms.”

A lie I wished was true.

I’ma make it true.

She squinted, looking me over. I was sure she didn’t believe me. Hell, I didn’t believe me.

That’s because it’s not true.

“Okay, well, once you get me all the information and evidence that you two are in fact a loving married couple, then we can get the ball rolling on the transfer of deeds and titles. In the future, it will help if Mrs. Deacon is present during our conversations.”

I almost told her that she lost me right then but decided on a different response.

“Oh, and she never took my last name legally. So please, going forward just call her Ms. Walker or Hollis.” This time it was Skyla shaking her head.

“No mess and a good status, Mr. Deacon.” I stood to leave with another mission on hand. I couldn’t even get Hollis to be in the same room as me, how the fuck would I convince her to live with me long enough to handle this will shit.

“Promise. Be back soon.” I walked out with my phone now in my hand, calling the one person I hoped would at least make a meeting possible with my wife.

CHAPTER 3

Hollis

“And you said you went to the funeral?” Mickey asked while I rocked her Minnie to sleep. I had been at her house for the better part of the morning, along with Johnni who was breastfeeding her baby CJ. This past year had been everything babies and weddings for both.