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“The problem is that I don’t know what the fuck is going on here. Why in the hell do I need to fill out this shit?”
“We need to clear you before you’re allowed to have the children in your custody.”
“Here’s the thing with that. I don’t want them in my custody.”
She gasps at my revelation.
“Can you please give us a minute, Maggie?” Jenni asks.
“Of course.”
Before I can get another word out, the old broad is out of her chair and closing the door behind her.
“Jesus Christ, help me. Tylan.” Metal scrapes against the cold linoleum floor as she pushes to her feet.
“Jesus Christ, help you? Are you seriously going to use the Lord’s name in vain? That’s not very Christian of you, Sugar Tits.”
She squares her shoulders and straightens her back. “I’m not using the Lord’s name in vain. I’m asking for divine intervention to keep me from killing you! You aren’t going to change the subject, so don’t even try.”
I chuckle before meeting her eyes. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
“What’s your deal?” Her hands come flying up, all exasperated and shit.
“My deal? I don’t have a deal.”
“You’re being an ass.”
“Wow, now she cusses. What’s going on with you?”
“Why aren’t you being more helpful with your niece and nephew?”
“I’m not sure how helpful you want me to be.”
“Fill out the paperwork.” She takes a step towards the table and pushes the papers in my direction.
“Not gonna happen.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t want it to happen.”
“But they need you.”
“No, they don’t. They need anyone but me.”
“They’re your family.”
“Sometimes being family doesn’t mean shit, and you know that.”
“Gah! Why can’t you see that they’re scared and they need you?”
“They don’t need me.” I stand, leaning over the table so I can make sure she’s seeing me. “They’ve spent twenty minutes with me. They know that case worker better than they know me, so technically she would be a better fit for them.”
“You’re unbelievable,” she groans.
“So I’ve been told.”
She doesn’t respond. She stands there, tapping her foot chewing on her nails as she stares off into space.
