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Taking a deep breath, I square my shoulders and step back from the Jeep. Jonas wraps his arm around my waist and presses me into his side. Warmth and strength pass from his touch throughout my body. We walk to the apartment door, a couple united.
But in my head, I slowly lose my mind as I question every circumstance in my life. Including my relationship with Jonas.
For now, I shake it off. My focus needs to be on my little girl and no one else. Not myself. And not Jonas.
We walk inside the apartment and shut the door. Penny sits on the couch beside Clementine. Thankfully, Clementine is oblivious to any disturbance as she watchesThe Nightmare Before Christmasat a deafening volume. My guess is Penny turned it up after I brought her inside and she caught the ghostly expression on my face.
Bless you, my friend.
I slide my sunglasses to the top of my head and Penny’s eyes widen. “You okay?” she mouths. Subtly, I shake my head and clamp my lips between my teeth to fight the tremor of my chin.
Jonas walks us over to the couch and we sit. For the first time since we strolled through the front door, Clementine peers over at us. Her sweet, innocent face nothing but smiles and love and cheer. She crawls across the small space between us and hugs me. I have no idea why—maybe she senses I need her little arms wrapped around me—but I hug her closer than ever.
When she unhooks her arms, she sits back and smiles up at me. “Mama, who was the man outside?”
In my periphery, Penny cocks her head and scoots closer to the couch edge. She picks up the television remote and turns the volume down. I peek over at her and give a subdued smile.
Inhaling deeply, I prepare for the grocery list of questions Clementine will have after I answer. “No one important, pumpkin. Just someone I knew a long time ago.”
Ever the intuitive, Clementine gauges my expression. Studies my face longer than typical. But by some divine miracle, she appears pleased with my response. “Oh, okay. A friend?”
It takes every rational atom inside me to not rebut her terminology. But I remain tight-lipped. “Pumpkin, will you stay here and watch your movie? I need to talk with Jonas and Aunt Penny alone for a minute.”
Clementine smiles up at me and nods. I swallow the emotion slowly building in my mouth. Bite back the tears that threaten to fall. And force it all past the boulder in my throat.
“Yeah. Can I turn it back up?”
I love how her sole concern lies in the volume of her movie. That her little seven-year-old mind knows no other worries. “Sure, pumpkin.” I hand her the remote. “Stay here. We’ll be back out soon.”
Glancing at Penny, I tip my head toward the kitchen. The apartment isn’t necessarily closed off in the main living spaces, but at least a partial wall blocks the conversation we need to have. Penny, Jonas, and I rise from the couch and head to the kitchen. In the small space, I drag us as far from Clementine’s eyes and ears as possible.
“What is going on?” Penny whisper-shouts.
“Leo was by my car when we pulled up.” I tuck my lips between my teeth and blink back the tears threatening to make an appearance.
Now is not the time to break down, Autumn.
“What the hell did he want?” Not too often will anyone ever meet a pissed-off Penny. But when she hits that point, people instantly know. Being on Penny’s bad side isn’t pretty. Not pretty at all.
I tip my head back and stare at the ceiling. For the umpteenth time since I spotted Leo outside, I fight the anger and frustration and fear boiling in my veins.
Hold it together, Autumn. Crying and screaming right now will not help anything. Just say what needs to be said.
Lowering my chin, I level my gaze with hers. “Said he’s filing for custody of Clementine. I will be served tomorrow.”
Penny slaps a hand over her mouth and slowly shakes her head as her eyes widen. After she marinates on the outlandish news, she opens her mouth. For a moment, she doesn’t say anything. She snaps her jaw shut, then opens it again. “This makes no fucking sense. After all this time. After walking away without worry. So, why now?”
“Question of the day.” I laugh without humor.
Beside me, Jonas remains silent with his arm around my waist. No doubt he is as baffled with what happens next as I am. His thumb draws lazy circles on my hip, his gentle reminder so I know he is here for whatever I need. That he supports my decision, whatever it may be. That he will be a leaning pillar of strength through this rocky time.
And I love how much he cares. Love how he will do anything for me, even after such a short time together. His level of love speaks volumes and resonates deep in my bones.
Penny continues to shake her head while tapping a finger over her lips. “Why?” she mumbles. The question not directed at anyone or meant to be answered. Just pure curiosity.
The three of us stand in the kitchen, staring at each other and nothing. My mind wanders as I search for some hidden reason or an obvious resolution. And honestly, I have no idea where to begin.
If Leo is filing a lawsuit through the court system, should I obtain legal counsel? Is an attorney my first step in handling this? Not as if I have friends or family who have been through this. Will I be able to afford an attorney? Especially on such short notice. How much does it cost to hire one? Will Leo drag out the matter and slowly drain my savings?
