Chapter 7
Checking In
Lynn
The last fourdays have gone by in a blur. I’ve met another of Trevor’s children. A cute little girl. She has to be around fourteen.
Watching her with my nanna was painful. Although, the little girl cooks with the soul of an old Southern Black woman. Nanna has taught her well.
Nanna, that woman is almost as bad as her son. However, my grandmother says things with her eyes and expressions, not so much her words. At least not her words yet.
So I’m grateful to the little replica of Trevor. Her presence kept my nanna from leaning into me. I don’t think she would have spared me had it just been my team.
I shake the thought off as I step off the elevator at the hospital. For three straight days I’ve just missed Trevor. My father has been sure to tell me so. With a smile on his face, mind you.
I look down at the one-piece bodysuit Maggie dressed me in today with the calf high boots. Daddy is sure to poke fun this time. I don’t know what’s more embarrassing—the fact that I’m allowing Maggie to dress me up each day or the fact that my father has picked up on it.
I sigh heavily as I walk into his room. I freeze in my tracks as I find two visitors already there. Dr. Curry has pulled some strings to get me a pass for when I come no matter if daddy already has visitors.
Otherwise, I might have known these two were already here. My father’s youngest sister ran off to New York as soon as she was old enough to. It was only supposed to be for a visit, but she met her husband there while he was in town visiting with his family.
The rest is history. She married into deep pockets and it’s her connections that gave me my shot at my career. I have a ton of cousins from that side. However, this big guy before me is my favorite.
He has never allowed me to get a big head about my music. In fact, he makes fun of me all the time, telling me I sound like a drowning rat.
I know he’s only teasing because his eyes always light up with his taunting. Like now, as he sees me, he stands and opens his arms with that big old smile on his face. I rush into his embrace.
“What are you doing here?” I ask.
“Aunt Cyn called and told me what happened. I came to check in on your dad and see if there’s anything I can do while I’m here,” he replies.
I pull back and look up into his brown eyes. I guess you would call them hazel. A dark hazel at that. The green flecks hide with his moods. Unlike his sister with her green eyes.
“It’s good to see you. Thanks for coming,” I say.
Nate releases me, and Rita tugs me into her embrace. I give her a tight squeeze. We may all live in New York, but I don’t think I’ve seen them since Nate’s wedding.
“It’s been too long,” Nate says and pats me on the back.
“I know. Your girls and that little guy must be so big by now.”
A huge smile takes over his face. “You have to see them. We’ll be here for a while. Not far from the family ranch. You know the Billings ranch, right?”
“Yeah, I know it.”
“Is your family here too? I would love to see that cute little girl and your son,” I say to Rita.
She smiles. “Yeah, my little crew is here.”
My cousin is a busy man. Now that he has that beautiful family, he hasn’t been to my shows like he used to. Nate and I grew close because his dad used to rent out acres of the ranch for training his assets during the summers.
I used to be so interested in the transformation that would happen while they were there, and then it was like they never were. Uncle Thomas is the reason I have a black belt. Pook and I started training with them the summer Nate started coming along.
Nate has me by seven years, but Rita is three years younger than me. I was three summers in before she began to join. I’m not hard core like them, but I can hold my own.
“Y’all would have a family reunion while I’m cooped up in here,” Daddy says with a humph.
“Daddy, we’re not having a party without you,” I chuckle.
“Whatever.” He waves.
“Uncle Moses, we’re going to head out. I need to get to a meeting. Think about my offer, and take care of yourself. I want to see you home and healthy before I leave Texas.”
“I heard you, boy. I’ll think about it.”
“See you later, Uncle Moses. I’ll come by soon to check on you again,” Rita says and moves to kiss his cheek.
“Bring me a burger, why don’t you.”
“That would be a no,” Rita snickers.
“Then go on get your big head out of here. You don’t have to come back.”
“Daddy,” I chide.
He folds his arms across his chest and starts to mumble to himself. Nate chuckles and kisses my cheek. Rita gives me another hug before she follows her brother out.
I take a seat and look at my father with narrowed eyes. I’m not going to pretend I didn’t just catch that little conversation with Nate. My father starts to move his gaze around, looking at anything but me.
“What offer was he talking about?”
“None of your business. Your mama told me you think you’re running things. Sticking your nose in my business. I can run my own darn ranch,” he grumbles.
“Daddy, I’m here to help. Stop fighting me.”
He snaps his gaze to me and glares. “Lynn Darlene Galveston, when did I ask you for your help? You won’t do the one thing I’ve asked you to do, but you’ve been all in my business since you arrived.”
“Why are you like this?” I groan.
“The boy wants to start renting the ranch again like his daddy used to do. Something about new trainees or something. He offered thinking this will affect my bottom line,” he says waves a hand over himself.
“Oh, that’s nice of him. I want to look over the books. Mama says you keep them locked away. Can you give me the key?”
“Can you talk to Trev?”
I roll my eyes. “Daddy, not this again.”
I’m starting to get tired of this. It’s the same thing every day. I swear, I think he made himself sick to get me here.
“Let me ask you one thing,” he says.
“If it means you’ll hand over the key. Fine.”
“Babycakes, what would Pook do?”
Tears burn the backs of my eyes. I wasn’t expecting that. My lips tremble from the low blow.
Shaking my head, I stand and grab my things. I can’t even look at him. I walk out and move so quickly to get to the elevator, Wilson nearly has to jog to keep up.
I’m done here for today. There’s but so much I can take. If only he knew about that letter, he’d back off and see Trevor for who he really is.
* * *
Trevor
“Trevor,I’d like to speak with you before you leave,” Dr. Winsor calls as I stand to leave.
I’ve spilled my soul once again. Allowing this woman and these men to listen in on me process my foul marriage and how Donna was never the one I wanted in the first place.
“Yes, ma’am. You wanted to speak to me?”
“Yes, I wanted to talk to you about the couple’s sessions. From what I’m hearing, you’re not ready to engage your wife. However, her legal team has been applying pressure for you two to begin them.
“I wanted to know how you would feel about possible phone sessions. They would be once a week. I think?—”
“Let me stop you there. I agreed to do these sessions. Actually, that’s a darn lie. I was forced to do this. However, that judge didn’t say anything about me having to communicate with that woman.
“I’m here. I’m doing the work and I’m proving this is over. The first step is admitting the problem. Ma’am, and my soon-to-be-ex-wife is the problem,” I seethe as I cut her off.
She nods. “I understand. This isn’t an easy process, and I thank you for doing the work. My main goal is for you to feel whole no matter what you decide to do in the end.
“I will deal with her representation. See Parker for your voucher for today. I’ve already signed off.”
I purse my lips and bob my head. I hate those damn vouchers. They make me feel like a kid who need his permission slip signed. I swear, I’m over Donna trying to emasculate me at every turn.