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Nora comes into the break room as I’m walking out. She raises her eyebrow at me and I let out a long sigh. Quickly I fill her in on everything I was just told. She gasps and shakes her head, telling me how sorry she is. All I can do is shrug my shoulders. This is life.
***
After a long shift, I walk to the break room to grab my purse and phone. There’s a text from Austin but I don’t open it right away. I have more pressing matters I need to take care of first. I call my mom and fill her in on everything and ask if she can keep Darla a little longer. I’d like to talk to Brendan and try to sort this out like adults if he’ll let that happen. She agrees, thankfully.
When I would normally just text Brendan, I dial his number. This conversation needs to be heard, not read.
The phone rings for a second before he answers. “Hello?”
“Hey, Brendan, um, can we maybe meet up to talk?” I ask him, trying to hide my nerves.
“About?”
“This signing away of your rights.” I unlock my car and sit down.
“What about it?” Brendan asks. My gosh, he’s making this more difficult than it needs to be.
“Are you busy or something? I understand if you are. I know this is short notice but I just got off of work and I was hoping we could meet up and talk in person.”
“I’m not busy, Paige. I was just wondering what it was. Where do you want to meet? Do you have her with you?” It breaks my heart that he won’t say her name.
“No, she’s with my parents. Can you meet me at my apartment?” I should push for somewhere more public, but I know he’s not going to try anything with me so I feel safe.
“Yeah, I’ll head over there,” he agrees. I’m wondering if he hit his head on something. He’s never this nice to me.
I end the call and drive home. I pull up and sit in my car until Brendan pulls up beside me. He looks a little nervous. He’s got his baseball hat on like usual and he lets out a sigh. I get out of the car and give him a smile as I go unlock my door. He walks in and closes the door behind him.
“Want something to drink?” I offer politely.
“No thanks. So what do you need to talk about? I told you I have a lawyer ready.” He runs his hand over his hair.
“Yeah, I know. I called a lawyer today for myself and I was told even though you’re willing to give up your rights, a judge could still say no. We’d be shelling out a small fortune for our lawyers just to be in the same spot we’re in now.” He nods in understanding. “What I wanted to talk to you about was maybe just keeping things how they are now. I won’t ask you for anything when it comes to Darla.”
He raises his eyebrow and I’m waiting for him to argue with me. “I know I’ve been an asshole about all of this. I can’t help it, Paige.” I grab hold of the counter to steady myself. My nerves are waiting for this to all head south. “I knew I’d never be a good father. My dad was shitty, still is. Why would I want kids to bring around that? I’m sure she’s a great kid. I know you’re doing a good job with her. If what you’re saying is true, then I’ll do this one thing for you. I know I haven’t made the last few years easy.”
“No, you haven’t,” I agree.
“I’ll drop my lawyer then. I’ll just stay away,” Brendan tells me.
“Really?” I ask, almost puzzled. I was getting all worked up waiting for him to show his colors but he’s proven me wrong. I was ready for a fight but there isn’t going to be one.
“Yeah, Paige, really. I’m about to move anyway. I took a job in Mississippi and I’m leaving in a few weeks,” he informs me.
“Oh. Well, good luck over there.”
“Thanks. I just found out about an hour ago I got the job. If that’s all you wanted to talk about, I’m going to head back home.”
He’s being too nice; it’s kinda creeping me out. He walks towards the door and I follow him. I have to go get Darla. “Thank you, Brendan,” I tell him as I open my car door.
“You’re welcome. You know, I did love you, Paige. Maybe I should have made better decisions when we were sleeping together. See, I can take responsibility for my actions.”
He’s being the Brendan I loved before I got pregnant. Why couldn’t he have stayed this way? I wipe away a tear before it can fall, praying he doesn’t notice.
He notices, because he wraps his arms around me. “Don’t cry, Paige. I’m sorry for the last four years and what I put you through. I have to live with that for the rest of my life.”
“It’s not too late to get to know her,” I whisper, knowing I probably shouldn’t say that.
“I know, but I’m leaving, Paige. Why start something that’s only going to be short lived?” He continues to shock me when he kisses the top of my head. I look up at him, my vision blurry from the tears.
