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Autumn:Breakfast sounds fun. Doesn’t matter, though.
Breakfast. Perfect segue.
Jonas:What if my girls stay over and we can have 2 breakfasts together.
A minute passes while I stare at the screen. She hasn’t responded yet. The indicator bubble to tell me she’s typing hasn’t popped up. Was it too quick for me to jump on the “stay the night” train again? Things have been off, but I don’t think she has reservations about staying. Maybe the doubt her parents cause crept back in. The last thing I want is for her to slow things down again.
Before she responds, I send another message.
Jonas:No pressure. I’d just love to have my girls stay over. Think about it. I’ll see you in a little while.
And with that, I leave the decision up to her. Until she answers, though, I am a live wire. Thank god, I have plenty of stuff to preoccupy my time between now and when Autumn and Clementine arrive at the house. Grocery shopping. Spartan. Dinner/breakfast.
Dad steps into the office and tells me everything is taken care of. After we strip out of our coveralls, we lock up and exit through the back. He gives me a hug and pat on the back. “Just stay levelheaded. It will all work out.” I nod. “And if you need me, you better call.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“Those girls are family. And Thompson’s protect their own.”
I love how easily Autumn and Clementine have won the hearts of my family. Even through all the craziness, Dad recognizes what I feel. That the love I have for them won’t fade. And that I intend to keep Autumn and Clementine for the long haul.
THIRTEEN
AUTUMN
Penny strolls into my booth and plops down on my chair. “What’s up with you? Look like someone just shredded your favorite dress.”
In all the madness, I have been a bad friend and roommate to Penny. Between my grumpy antics and Clementine’s tantrums, we have to be driving her insane. If so, she hides it well.
“Jonas just asked me and Clementine to stay the night.”
Her brows shoot up as she continues to smack her gum. “So, what’s the big deal? You stayed over before.”
True, but that was before Leo waltzed back in and trampled over my life. “Things have been off since Leo showed up. Do you think it’s too soon? Again.”
Penny blows a bubble and pops it. “No. You guys have it bad for each other. Plus, your attorney said to do you. Don’t lethimdictate your life, Auti. That isn’t fair to you, Clementine or Jonas.”
I huff, tossing the wad of paper towels in my hand in the trash bin. Nothing about Leo returning has been fair. From the second I saw him standing next to my car, I knew nothing good would come from his sudden appearance. And no matter how I try to let it go, I continue to question why he materialized out of thin air. After no communication in years, why now?
None of it makes sense. Every sleepless night, my mind orchestrates countless possibilities as to why he wants custody of Clementine. Publicity, perhaps? But giving the appearance of a family man to the media, claiming a little girl as yours when no one has seen her previously, would pose more questions and issues than Leo probably wants. So, why?
“It isn’t fair. But I just don’t get it, Penny. I don’t understand his motivation.”
She jumps off my chair and skips around it to stand where I see her better. “Auti, maybe you aren’t meant to understand. Not yet. But have patience. You have a kick-ass attorney who will dig. And if she doesn’t find anything before the hearing, maybe the judge can pull out his reasoning. You have a right to know, but quit letting the whys and what-ifs rule your life. Don’t give him your power.”
I shift ink bottles around on the shelf in my station. Organizing the bottles then rearranging them. Anything to keep me busy while I mull over Penny’s advice. She stares at me while I stall, but I don’t rush my reaction or answer.
Every time the topic of Leo and the custody case comes up, it always cycles back to the same result. Everyone telling me to let the attorney do her job and for me and Clementine to go about our lives. God, am I trying. Some things are easier said than done.
But I don’t want to regret missing out on life. Of being happy, of Clementine being happy. Regret will eat at my joy more than Leo.
“Guess you’re right.”
“Damn straight I am. And as far as staying over at Jonas’s house, I say do it. You never know what will happen tomorrow, Auti. Live today, and don’t have regrets tomorrow.”
I throw my arms around Penny, hugging her close and squishing her more than normal. But she gives as good as she gets and has me tapping out of the hug first.
“Love you, Pen.”
