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“You got me dead to rights, sheriff,” Dad says, nodding to the man, holding out his wrists.
“That ain’t necessary. I only gotta book you in, and then you can call your lawyer. You can sign something that says you’ll appear in court on Monday, and Mariam can bail you out.”
“Jiminy Christmas,” Mariam says, shaking her head.
“Say,” Dad says, turning to me. “Do you think you could, ah…”
I already know what he’s going to ask me. “Take the kids home and put them to bed? Sure.”
“Thanks,” he says, rubbing his chin. “Though by the looks of it, your stepmom might let me rot there. All remains to be seen.”
“Good luck,” Meredith says, slipping her arm through mine while we watch my dad leave in the sheriff’s vehicle.
Mariam, bedeviled with writhing children, looks like she’s had a rough night.
“Mar, do you want to take the kids home and let me bail Dad out? Or…”
My stepmom shakes her head no. “Actually, taking a minute to gather my thoughts—without the kids—sounds pretty nice. Although, I hate interfering with your date.”
She looks at Meredith apologetically.
Meredith, because she’s awesome, immediately jumps to the task.
“Are you kidding me? Think nothing of it, please. Take care of yourself, bail your husband out of jail, or do whatever. I could use practice with kids, anyway, if I’m honest.”
Mariam looks only slightly confused but grateful.
“Help yourself to anything in the house, and don’t be shy. You’re a lifesaver.”
I take Julius because he’s the most feral. Meredith takes baby Shiloh in her arms, her face softening as she gently snuggles my tiny half-sister.
I already have two car seat bases in my car, so we’ve got both kids situated in a few minutes and bid Mariam goodbye.
While the kids squirm and wiggle in the car, Meredith looks over at Charlie, who’s getting into his car.
I feel a little bit bad he doesn’t have anyone to take him to urgent care.
Only a little.
Walking over to him, I ask, “Dude, do you want me to drive you to the doctor?”
“Fuck off. You and your whole family.”
I know his face is screaming in pain, and that’s why he’s lashing out.
But now he’s just a miserable jerk, and I no longer care if I don’t have his business as a customer anymore.
“How about instead of fucking off, you take that shit gossip website down, and I don’t finish the job on your nose?”
“You don’t have half the guts of your old man.”
Charlie peels out before I reach his car.
“I’m proud of you,” Meredith says.
“I didn’t get to sock him in the groceries, though.”
“I’m glad you didn’t. So, what were you and your dad talking about?” Meredith asks.
