Chapter Twenty
K ERRIE
It was so nice to get home on Sunday after the weekend retreat. For once, it felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders, having been able to finally be honest about my situation.
According to Sophie, Hal never came home for the weekend. Instead, it was his parents who’d come to stay with the kids. My mother-in-law was not happy with Hal, and I was sure he’d get an earful soon if he hadn’t already.
I picked up a blue crayon and shaded in the water of the picture the kids had picked for me to color in one of their coloring books. Tommy and Nella sat beside me at the counter, each absorbed in their own art projects. Sophie was vegging in the living room, trying to catch up on one of her K-Drama shows. It was a peacefulness I’d come to look forward to.
The side door to the kitchen flew open, and Hal stormed in, his face red, his jaw tight.
“What the hell did you do?” he asked, coming right over to the counter.
Tommy and Nella cringed away from him.
“What are you talking about?”
“You know damn well what I’m talking about. You told my parents about our divorce. Now, they’re pissed at me.”
Sophie came into the kitchen, her eyes wide. She looked like she might open her mouth, but I interjected before she could.
“Soph, take Tommy and Nella upstairs, okay?”
“Mom?”
“It’ll be alright, just go.”
As soon as they left the room, I turned on Hal. “I wouldn’t have had to tell your parents about the divorce if you’d fucking picked up your phone. You haven’t called once to make sure Tommy was okay. He was rushed to the hospital by ambulance. You were supposed to be here that night, but you were too busy boinking whatever flavor of the week you were on. So don’t yell at me. I’m tired of lying and living like this. You don’t give two shits about the kids. It’s one thing to be done with me, but quite another to act like they don’t exist.”
“You promised not to say anything. That was the condition of you staying here. Now my family thinks I’m a no-good asshole.” He moved closer, his face inches from mine.
My heart leapt into my throat, wondering if he might hit me. I took a step back, bumping into a stool. “Don’t put this on me. You made the choice to cheat, then ask for the divorce. I tried going along with your plan, but I’m tired of it. When you can’t even check your messages or be here for our kids, I have to draw the line. They didn’t ask for any of this, and they’re the ones who are suffering.”
“Don’t use them as an excuse. You’re just mad that I met someone else.”
“Nope, guess again. That lady can have you and all your bullshit lies. You are a real piece of work, one who doesn’t deserve the title of Dad.”
“I want you out of this house tonight, do you understand? The divorce papers said I only had to let you stay for six months. I’m not dealing with your shit anymore.” Hal slammed his fists on the counter.
Tears welled in my eyes. He wanted us out tonight? Where the heck were we going to go? The only reason I couldn’t keep the house in the first place was because I couldn’t afford the mortgage. So, the judge awarded it to him, with the clause I could stay in the marital home for six months while trying to save for my own place. Obviously, I should’ve lawyered up, too. I just never thought it’d come to this.
Just then, Sophie stepped into the kitchen, crying. “You’re a jerk!” she shouted. “I hate you. I can’t believe you’re acting like this.”
Hal glared at me. “See, you’ve even turned the kids against me.”
“You did that yourself. For once, man up and take responsibility for your poor fucking choices.” I moved to Sophie’s side. “You want us gone, we’ll be gone. I’m taking the kids’ stuff when I go.”
“Do what you got to do. I’ll be back tomorrow, and you better be out of here.”
When he left, Sophie turned to me and hugged me, sobbing against my shoulder.
“Shh, it’ll be okay. I promise, I’ll figure something out.”
“Mom, I can get a job and help with bills. Whatever you need me to do.”
“No, honey. It won’t come to that. Go on up and start helping your brother and sister get things into bags or boxes, whatever you can find. I’ve got to make a few phone calls. When I’m finished, I can come up and help. I think we have empty bins in the garage or down in the basement. We can bring them up and start packing.”
“Okay.” She sniffled, wiping her eyes.
Once she left the room, I leaned against the counter, crying. What would we do? Oh, God. This was such a mess. But Hal was out of control, and I wanted nothing more than to punch his stupid face.
Reaching into my purse, I grabbed my cellphone. Who could I call? I scrolled through my contacts, and Maude’s name jumped out at me. Fingers shaking, I pressed her contact information. The phone rang a few times before Maude’s no-nonsense voice came on the other end.
“Hello, Kerrie? You didn’t land in jail again, did you? Not sure I can bond you,” she said with a chuckle.
I gave a weak laugh. “No, I, um, well...Hal got home, and he was angry at me for telling his parents about our divorce. We got into a huge fight. He’s kicking me and the kids out of the house. We have until tomorrow to move everything.
“Jesus H. Christ. What a jerk. Where will you stay?”
A hiss of air left my lips. “I-I don’t know yet.”
“Well, I do. You and the kids can come stay with me. I’ve got plenty of room here. It’s too big of a house for one old lady to live in by herself, you know.”
“Maude, wait, you don’t have to do that,” I rushed. “I mean, I don’t know what I can afford to pay you.”
“Ah, those details can be hashed out later and, of course, I can do that. You said so yourself, you don’t have anywhere else to go. I’ve got four bedrooms here. The girls can share one. There’s a bed in there, so you’ll have to grab an extra one. You and Tommy can both have your own rooms. They’re already furnished, so just bring clothes or any toys and bedding you might need.”
I wiped the wetness from my eyes. “Maude, I...thank you so much.”
“That’s what friends are for, Kerrie. I’ll get ahold of Carlos to see if he can come help, and you call Piper. I’m sure she can drop in to help, too.”
“Alright, thank you again. See you soon.” When I hung up with Maude, relief flooded me. Thank God for putting her in our lives. Next, I dialed Piper’s number, hoping she’d pick up.
It took her a couple of seconds, but soon she was on the line. “Hey, what’s up?”
“Piper, sorry to bother you, but I wondered if you could come over to help me and the kids pack? Hal kicked us out. Maude said she could take us in, but we need more hands-on-deck and vehicles to transport stuff for the kids and I.”
“Oh, my God! Are you guys okay?”
My throat thickened. “We will be, this just came on so sudden.”
“Hold on a second.” I heard her whispering to someone else and wondered who she had over. When she came back on, she said, “My stepdad, David, is here. He said we can swing by with his truck to grab any bigger items that might have to be moved.”
“Piper, thank you! I seriously don’t know what I’d do without you and Maude. I’ll message you directions to the house. I’m such a wreck right now, I don’t even know where to start.”
“Don’t worry, you have backup on the way. Hang tight, we’ll see you soon.”
She hung up with me, and I scrolled through my messages to see if Demarcus might be able to help, as well. Not that I wanted to bother him, but the more people we had, the quicker we could get things done.
He texted back that he had to work until seven, but would swing by after work to lend a hand. I thanked him, then went to grab boxes, bins, bags—anything I could find to pack things in.
Piper and David were first to arrive. She marched into the house, and the first thing she did was hug me. “I’m sorry this happened.”
“Thanks. Just can’t believe it’s come to this.”
“So, what do you need help with?” she asked, peering around the kitchen. “David and I can help with whatever you need.”
Sophie came into the room carrying a box filled with toys and set it down, followed by my younger ones, each carrying a bag filled with clothes.
A knock sounded on the side door, and we all turned to find Maude and Carlos standing there. I waved them in.
“Chica, I’m sorry. Ugh, the words I’d say if there weren’t kids around,” Carlos said.
Sophie grinned. “You can cuss around us. Mom does all the time.”
I flushed. “Not all the time.”
“Uh, huh,” Tommy inserted. “Remember when you said shit?”
“Tommy!”
Maude chuckled. “Well, there are worst things he could say, you know.”
“Still, we don’t say that word, it’s naughty.” I glowered at Carlos, who was doing a bad job at holding back a smile. “And don’t encourage him.”
“What do you need my help with?” Carlos took his jacket off, revealing his tanned biceps covered in tattoos beneath his dark shirt.
“Whoa, that’s some cool ink.” Sophie stepped closer to him to admire the work.
“Thanks. I designed some of them myself.”
“Really?” Her brows rose in surprise.
“Carlos works in the art department at the greeting card shop,” I said. “Hey, Sophie might want to talk to you some. She’s pretty good at art herself.”
“I mean, I dabble.” Her cheeks reddened.
“While we’re packing, you can show me some of your work.” Carlos moved to follow her.
“Sophie’s bed needs to be broken down, as we’re taking that with us. The kids’ clothes, toys, TVs, computers, that kind of stuff can be packed. I’ll likely take half of the dishes, towels, blankets, and all our photos on the walls.”
“Don’t forget the puzzles, boardgames, and craft stuff, too,” Sophie hollered from the other room.
“Right. Anything you kids want to go with us, pack it,” I said. Our whole lives were now being packed away in a few bins and boxes. Things we’d bought or collected as a couple or a family. I ran my hand through my hair, tugging at it as I let out a hiss of air. My eyes welled. This was too much.
Tommy tugged on my shirt. “Mommy, will Daddy be mad at us forever?”
“Oh, sweetie. No. Of course not. He’s not angry with you kids. He’s mad at me.”
“No. I think he’s mad at all of us,” he said.
“Hey, buddy, why don’t you take me to your room and show me what you want packed. Got to make sure we get all the good things first,” David said, catching my eye.
I mouthed the words thank you as they left the room.
Maude and Piper grabbed some bins and went to work. They’d hold up certain items from time to time, asking if I wanted them or not.
Damn, this sucked. This was our lives here. The kids had grown up in the house. I wanted everything, but knew I couldn’t take it all.
A short while later, another knock sounded on the side door. This time, Demarcus stood outside. He’d changed out of his uniform, sporting jeans and a police department hoodie. I noticed he had Mya with him, as well.
I opened the door for them. “Hi, thank you guys for coming.”
“No problem. How are you?” he asked.
“Hanging in there. Kind of in frantic packing mode at the moment.”
He smiled at Maude and Piper. “Hello, ladies, so we meet again.”
Maude snorted. “At least this time you’re not having to put us in cuffs.”
“Wait, what did you just say?” Sophie stared between us.
“Oh, well...”
“Your mom and Piper came to my rescue when a man got inappropriate with me. It kind of turned into a bar brawl and we got arrested,” Maude said matter-of-factly.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” David said, his mouth turning up at the corners. “You mean to tell me my daughter got arrested?”
Maude nodded. “Yep. We spent the night in the slammer.”
“Mom?” Sophie stared at me again, then laughed, too. “Great, my mom has street cred now.”
“Oh, dear Lord. Let’s not blow this out of proportion.” I tried to hide my face, as I reached for more plates to pack.
“Who’d have known I worked with a bunch of criminals.” Carlos tsked at us. “Hold on, was that why you guys were late that day for work?”
“Yeah, Mr. Dancy was on us like a hound with a steak,” Piper said.
“Don’t tell your mother.” David eyed Piper. “She’ll insist we move you out of the city, for sure.”
“I agree. Probably the less people who know, the better,” I said.
Packing went quicker having more people, and I didn’t have time to grieve or cry as there was too much to do.
“Before we leave, I feel like we should bust out all the windows or something,” Piper said.
“Or leave rotten food in the registers and see if he finds it.” Maude grinned. “Too bad his vehicle isn’t here. We could key that on the way out, too.”
“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear any of this.” Demarcus shook his head, laughing. “Remind me to never make you ladies angry.”
“A woman scorned should not be trifled with,” Piper said.
Carlos joined us in the kitchen, holding up a painting Sophie had done of a medieval knight on horseback. “Kerrie, why didn’t you tell me Sophie was so talented at art?”
“She’s amazing, isn’t she?”
“Yes. I was thinking, if you’re alright with it, I could work with Sophie once a week. Maybe popover after work one night.”
Sophie beamed. “I’d like that. Maude, do you have a place we’d be able to work on things?”
“The back screened in porch during the summer. In the winter, we might have to come up with some other arrangements.” Maude patted Sophie’s hand.
“Thank you, then yes, I’d like to do that.” My daughter looked like she might cry again, only this time, happy tears.
Once everything was loaded into the vehicles, I took one last look at the house. We’d swiped half the food, half the dishes, the kids’ things, and mine. Most importantly, I had the pictures of Sophie, Nella, and Tommy from birth until this year’s school pictures. My throat thickened with emotion. I’d raised our babies here, and now, I had to say goodbye. However, I knew it was time for a new start.
My gaze flicked to where Tommy held David’s hand, telling him about how he broke his arm, then I watched Nella cling to Maude and Piper. I realized they’d be okay. They still had me, and we had a new family now, one who would always have our backs. Maude, Piper, and all the others truly were a blessing.
It took us a bit to get across town, but when we pulled into Maude’s driveway, Nella gasped.
“This is our new house? Mama, it has a yard. Maybe we can get a swing set.”
“We’ll have to wait and ask Maude, okay?”
“Okay.”
When we all climbed out of the cars, the kids seemed so happy. “Wow, this place is huge,” Sophie said. “I think it’s bigger than our house.”
“There’s plenty of room for everyone. Now, you kids follow me. I’ll show you to your new rooms. We’ll have to pull out some more dining room chairs from the basement, but all in all, I think we’ll do just fine.” Maude held onto Nella’s hand and led her to the stairs. “Sophie, you and Nella have the room at the end of the hall. You’ll be able to see the backyard from the window seat there.”
“Oh, my gosh, I love it.” Sophie peered around the room, and immediately went to the window seat. “This will be perfect for reading or sketching.”
“I think it’ll be big enough for the two of you,” Maude said to the girls. “We can have one bed on one side of the room, and the other bed on the opposite side. Both dressers can go between the beds. And there’s a large closet. Feel free to decorate however you girls want.”
“Thank you,” I said to Maude. “This is so perfect for them.”
“Maude, can I call you Grandma Maude?” Nella asked shyly.
“Of course, you can. I never had any grandchildren, so that’ll be nice to be someone’s grandma.” She smiled, hugging Nella.
Maybe this truly was a blessing in disguise. We needed a place to go, and Maude didn’t want to be alone. We could help one another.
“I figure the only things I’ll ask you to pay for,” Maude said as we headed back downstairs, “is any extra electricity and the food. Don’t worry about rent or anything like that. The mortgage is paid off. We might need to get Wi-Fi for the kids, but that’s doable.”
“Maude, are you sure?” This was an extravagant gift.
“I’m very sure. You need to get on your feet. Besides, I don’t mind having you all here. In fact, I look forward to having a full house again.”
I hugged her. She’d never truly know how thankful I was.
David and Demarcus splurged for pizza, drinks, and chips. We sat around a campfire in the backyard eating. The kids were having a blast. Mya, Sophie, and Carlos were talking about art and K-pop groups. Tommy and Nella were playing with light sticks by the tree, and I sat visiting with everyone, taking in the night.
Demarcus stood. “We should probably head out now. I’ve got to be up early for work.”
“I’ll walk you to the car while Sophie and Mya say their goodbyes,” I said.
We ambled down the driveway together.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked when we stopped next to his SUV.
“I will be. It’s been a draining day.”
Demarcus leaned down, clutching my face in his hands. “You’re a strong woman, Kerrie, and a great mother. I know things seem kind of crazy now, but they’ll settle down.”
His lips brushed mine, sending shock waves through my whole body like a sonar. I pressed closer to him, allowing him to wrap his arms around me.
Someone cleared their throat, and Sophie said, “Should we come back?”
“I, um...”
“No, we’re just finishing up our goodnights,” Demarcus said.
I couldn’t help but notice the excited look the girls shared before Mya climbed into Demarcus’s vehicle.
My finger touched my mouth where his lips had just been. It was a new beginning. I had no idea where any of this would lead. A new house, a new man, a new chapter, all looming ahead of me.