Chapter 29 #2
I leaned forward, getting closer to him.
"Then I marched my ass straight to the customer service counter where James Gallagher was working.
" A smile tugged at the corner of my mouth.
"Lucky for me, I babysat him when he was just a kid, and our parents are still friends.
" I tapped the envelope in his hands. "So, James came through for me! "
Gavin opened it, pulling out papers and some still shots, as well as a thumb drive. His eyes scanned everything in front of him, widening slightly. "What is all this?"
"Proof that there's another side to the story." I watched his face as he read. "Rebecca might have her photos, but I've got something better."
Gavin flipped through the pages and looked up at me, something like awe in his expression. "You got all this in twenty minutes?"
"James is a good kid. Once I explained what happened, he wanted to help." I didn't elaborate. "Turns out being from the neighborhood has its advantages."
"This is..." Gavin went through the documents again, shaking his head. "Victor is going to love this."
"I figured it might be useful."
"Useful?" He set the papers down and pulled me close. "Andi, you're amazing, you know that?"
"I'm not going to let her push us around." I leaned into him. "Rebecca thinks she's so smart. But she messed up."
"How?"
"She underestimated me."
We sat quietly for a moment, the adrenaline finally starting to fade.
"I don't think she's done pulling shit like this," Gavin said.
"I know she's not. She's desperate. Her case is weak, and she knows it. So she's going to cook up more drama, create situations that make me look bad." I met his eyes. "What's her motivation though? She doesn't really want Charisse full time, so something else has to be motivating her."
Gavin was quiet for a long moment, his jaw working. "I've been thinking about that, too. This whole custody thing started right after David left her. Rebecca has never been alone."
"You think this is about getting you back? You guys haven't been together in years. You've made it clear you're not interested."
"I think it's about not being alone. About having someone to fall back on.
After she lost the lifestyle, the money, the status, I think she started to get scared.
" He ran a hand through his hair. "Rebecca doesn't do well on her own.
She never has. And if she can't have David's money and connections, maybe she figures she can reclaim what she had with me. "
"But you haven't been together since Charisse was really little. What does she think she's going to get out of this?"
"Hell if I know. To me, she's just Charisse's mom—nothing more. But to Rebecca?" He shook his head. "I honestly can't figure out what's going through her head. Maybe she thinks if she makes things difficult enough, creates enough chaos, I'll just give in because it's easier than fighting."
"Except we're not giving in."
"No. We're not." He pulled me closer. "And I'm not going anywhere."
"Good. But Gavin? I think this should stay quiet for now. Let Rebecca think her little stunt worked."
"I think that's right."
Later that night, I squeezed toothpaste onto my brush when the phone lit up on my bathroom counter, vibrating against the ceramic with a harsh buzz. The screen flashed "MOM" in all caps, accompanied by that photo from Christmas where my mother had insisted on wearing the reindeer antlers.
"Ma, I was just about to—"
"Donna Gallagher just called me."
I froze, toothbrush in hand. Of course. The Southie gossip network moved faster than any reasonable person could keep up with.
"Ma—"
"Her James called her from work. Said you came to him, talking about some crazy lady who made a scene, and he helped you out with something." Her voice was sharp. "Andrea, what the hell happened?"
I sighed and sat down on the edge of my bed. "Rebecca ambushed me. Made it look like I was harassing her, took photos, the whole thing."
"What!? Puttana!"
"Ma! You don't curse!"
"What? It's in Italian! It doesn't count. Plus, she is. And in our neighborhood too? Your neighborhood? She's got a pair." She paused, blew out a breath. "James said he helped you handle it, though. Said you got what you needed."
"I did."
"Good. That's my girl." Pride crept into her voice.
"Don't take shit from no one. Donna said you stood your ground.
Said James couldn't stop talking about how you handled yourself.
" Her voice softened with a hint of nostalgia.
"He was always sweet on you, that one. God, the time he showed up at our door clutching that red construction paper heart—all crooked cuts and too much glitter.
His little face so serious when he asked if you'd be his Valentine.
What was he, five? Six? And you, must have been just about ready for college—trying not to laugh while I'm standing there melting.
The way you bent down to his level and told him it would be your honor—I thought poor little James was going to pass out from happiness. "
I couldn't keep the smile from my voice as I shared the memory. "He's a good egg."
"He is. Which is why he helped." Her tone shifted. "But Andrea, sweetheart, you need to be careful with this woman. She sounds like trouble."
"I know, Ma. I'm being careful."
"And Gavin? Where's he in all this?"
"He's doing what he can. Working through the attorney. We don't trust Rebecca not to try to spin things, so he's trying to stick with the attorney to manage what he can."
"Good. That's probably smart." She paused. "You want me to have your father talk to some people? Because—"
"No! Ma, no. Jesus. We're doing this the right way, Ma, the legal way."
"Fine, fine. But the offer stands." Another pause. "Just a quick conversation; it's not like they'd—"
"For God's sake, Ma!"
She huffed. "Alright, alright." A beat of silence followed. "So, we'll see you guys at the house this weekend? I'm making the braciole."
"Yeah. I think so."
"Make that a yes. I'll make extra. I know how much Gavin can eat." Her voice softened slightly. "I'm proud of you, baby. For being so smart."
"Thanks, Ma."
After we hung up, I finished getting ready for bed and climbed in, my mind still on the incident in the store. Rebecca thought she was good. Thought she could control the whole situation, make me look like the bad guy.
Big mistake. She'd assumed I would just take it. Let her win without a fight. Not happening.
The hearing was weeks away still. Plenty of time for Rebecca to pull more shit. And I wasn't na?ve—I knew you don't fight crazy by being loud. You fight it by being smarter. By playing the long game.
Let Rebecca stay confident. I'd be patient.