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I’m relieved when his phone rings and he glances down at it. He frowns before he answers, “Yeah?”
He listens for a little and his frown depends. “Alright, I’m coming.”
After he hangs up, he stands. "I have to go, little one. Duty calls."
Mimi pouts. “Why? I was just enjoying our conversation.”
"Me too," he says, and he does look regretful at leaving her. He glances at me and gestures for me to walk out with him.
I nod and say, “Sweetie, I'll be right back."
“Okay, Mommy.”
I pat her hair before I follow him out.
“So," he says conversationally as we walk. “You have a daughter.”
“Yep,” I respond. He doesn’t say anything else for some time as if he’s trying to digest the information. And I don’t say anything either because I’m thinking of what he’s going to say.
I imagine he wants to talk about the Nixons and what happens next. Is he trying to make it clear that I'm fired? Or maybe he’s feeling bad and wants to give me a second chance.
I know I'm going to beg for my job back if I have to, pride be damned. My daughter's comfort and health are more important than my ego or any problems I have with Maddox.
I try to figure out the words to say as I walk him to his car. I spot the red beast in the parking lot and feel my heart race the closer we get.
“Where’s her dad?” Maddox stops in front of his car and asks the ultimate question. Luckily, I rehearsed the answer for this.
“He’s not in the picture,” I say.
“Bastard,” Maddox responds with a vehemence that surprises me. I won't lie, most of me thought he would sympathize with the guy or blame me.Well, what do you expect when you act like a whore and sleep with just any loser?That’s what my father said when I told him. He was furious when I confessed what I did and even more furious when I told him I would be keeping the baby. My parents were staunch Christians but I guess they hated the image of a child out of wedlock more than they hated abortion.
That’s why I left home and never went back. I would rather be penniless and homeless than submit my child to that toxicity.
“Yeah, but don’t worry,” I say. “I take good care of her so I don’t need anything from him."
“No need for getting defensive. I’m not saying you don't take care of her. I'm just wondering what kind of idiot would be dumb enough to abandon you with a kid.”
It's so ironic, the comment almost makes me laugh. “Right. Well, being alone is better than bad company."
“Yeah." Another silence descends.
Maddox watches me for a few seconds and I get uncomfortable with the perusal.
“Look, I’m sorry about today, and if I could take it back, I would. And if there’s even a chance you won’t fire me—"
"You're not fired." He states it so definitely that I find it hard to believe.
"Really?"
"Yeah.” He looks at me like I’m crazy. “I’m not going to fire you for rushing to your daughter’s aid. These are obviously extenuating circumstances. Just communicate better next time."
My heart warms and I almost tear up. “Really? You’re not firing me?”
“Jesus, I may be an asshole but I’m not a monster.”
"I never said you were."Well, not out loud, anyway. But hallelujah, I have a job. Relief courses through me. "But, thank you. Thanks a lot.”
“No problem.”
