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“It’s fine.” He waved his hand in front of him and started to say more when their food arrived – her salad and his burger, and they both dug in before more was said. After finishing a bite, he trailed a fry through some ketchup. “She wants me to sign my rights away. She wants her fiancé to adopt him.”
“Are you considering it?” Was this the legal advice he was wanting?
“No. I want to fight for custody. Marilyn is still using drugs and so is her fiancé. They are up to no good and have no business raising him. She expects me to just sign on the dotted line and be done with it. And I’m not gonna do that.” He lifted his hat and ran his hands through his wavy dark hair, putting it back on. “I don’t even know where the hell to start.”
“I’m not a lawyer or anything, but I’d like to think you’d need to get an attorney.”
“An attorney…” Michael picked at his fries, obviously agitated. “I can’t afford that. I make just over minimum wage cleaning up a mechanic shop. I’ve only been out a few months.” He leaned back in the booth. “Maybe I should sign my rights away.”
“You’re clean. You’ve been clean for a while. You have a steady job and a steady paycheck. You’re attending AA, counseling, and I assume good standing with your P.O., or you wouldn’t be sitting here right now. And what does his mother have to show?”
“The court always sides with the mother.”
“Not an addict mother. Does the fiancé live with her?”
Michael shrugged. “I assume so. I don’t know much, just that they aren’t clean. I could tell by looking at them. I don’t think Marilyn has ever tried to get clean.”
Marilyn. Haize didn’t know who she was and already disliked her. She didn’t deserve a man like Michael and was relieved that he held so much disdain for the woman. She could shove her jealousy aside, even though he wasn’t even hers to have.
“I say you have a good chance. And a lot of lawyers don’t get paid until you win. I’m sure there’s some financial assistance you can try and get.”
“I’m willing to do anything. If it’ll help Jace, I want to. It’s just…” He looked away, toward the back wall, and then down into his lap.
“Just what?”
“I’m not sure how to be a father. Would me taking custody really be what was best for him?”
“As opposed to what he’s going through right now? Without a doubt, it’d be good for him.” Haize reached out and placed her hands on top of his. It was a bold move, but she was relieved when he didn’t pull away. He relaxed some, finally looking back in her direction, his green eyes set on hers. There was an intensity to them, his expression sharp and determined.
“I never knew my father. I have no idea how to be one.”
“I’m sure you do, Mikey. I’m sure you’ll be a great father. And I think this is all worth pursuing. Get yourself a lawyer. Start there.”
Neither of them ate much of their food – the conversation was on Jace and Michael’s chance to provide the child with a better life. He was set on giving the boy a far better childhood than he had endured, and though Haize had no idea what kind of past Michael had been through, she could tell he had been through a lot, which was what had persuaded why he had gone to prison and influenced his drug and alcohol use.
After he paid the bill, they went for a walk down another trail that led off the main road. The night air was cool, but not too frigid. “One thing I love about this town is all the random trails and paths that lead off to some nice views,” Haize said, snuggling her jacket around her midsection.
“I never knew there were many until recently. I guess I was too busy doing other things to appreciate it all.”
“I’m sure I haven’t discovered all of them. I’ve never walked down this one.” It led away from town, gently winding up a small incline. It made her think of the last time they had walked together in the park, getting so close to each other that it almost took her breath away. And then she went home and… did something private that was meant to stay private.
A chill shot through her when she felt his hand on the small of her back, guiding her through a tight spot on the trail, ducking through some low-hanging trees and bushes. The subtle weight of his palm was comforting, telling her he was right there to help her through to the other side.
A pathway opened to a large meadow with the silhouette of foothills and mountains behind it, illuminated by the moon and a blanket of stars. His hand remained on her back, both stopping to appreciate the view. She could hear a stream bubbling nearby, cutting its way through.
“I bet lots of wildlife come up through here,” Michael replied. “I hate that I never appreciated the beauty around here. I was too busy getting high and being an idiot to care about anything else.”
“But you’re appreciating it now. Better late than never.” Haize turned to face him, immediately missing his hand on her.
He reached out and guided a strand of her hair behind her ear, so close she could smell him – oaky, masculine, and fresh air. Her heart was racing so fast she feared he could see it through her shirt.
“Lots and lots of beauty in front of me,” he said, so quietly she barely heard him over the crickets and stream. “You’re a beautiful soul, Haize Mullen. Inside and out, helping those of us who don’t even deserve it.”
“You deserve it, Mikey.” She reached out and cupped his jaw, feeling his subtle whiskers in her palm. His face was smooth, and she wanted to scream out in joy when he didn’t pull away from her touch. “Don’t ever think that you don’t deserve it. You’re trying so hard and succeeding despite all the stuff that’s been happening to you. You’re going through so much and I’m proud of you.”
“I bet you’ve been through a lot too. And yet you still find the time and energy to help everyone else. Who helps you, Haize?”
She wanted to say, “you”, but she didn’t. She let out a deep breath when his hand slid down to the small of her back again, just above the waistband of her jeans. “I’m good, Mikey. You’re helping me right now.”
