Chapter 13 The Next Day #2
“Partly. Mostly it was because no one was paying for private art lessons or hiring docents. As an art teacher, I still get to create things, but I also get kids excited about art and help them realize it’s more than just portraits of fruit bowls.”
Olivia smiled. “Will I go to the school where you teach?”
“I hope so. It would make things infinitely easier. Usually, kids have to apply and send in a portfolio if their focus is art or take a placement test if it’s for math or science.”
“I’m really good at math,” Olivia said. “I took pre-algebra at my school in Kentucky.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. The guidance counselor was good. She had the school test me and put me in the advanced class.”
“I’ll send her an email later today to get your records.”
“You hoo! Anyone home?” Abby’s mom called from the front door.
“We’re in the kitchen, Mom.”
Her mom came in and kissed her on the cheek. “Hey, Hon.”
“Hey, Mom.”
Her mom turned to Olivia. “You must be Olivia.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Olivia wrung her hands. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“None of that ma’am stuff. You call me Maw Maw, just like Will. Come here.” She pulled Olivia into the tight hug Abby had wanted to give her and kissed her head.
Olivia froze for a moment, then wrapped her arms tight around Sue’s waist. And cried.
“Jesus. I can’t imagine what that poor girl has gone through,” her mom said softly.
They trailed behind Olivia and Will as Will dragged Olivia to his favorite aquarium exhibits.
“She doesn’t have any other family?”
Abby shook her head. “Just Tony.”
Her mom glanced at her. “And there’s no chance…?”
She inhaled and stared blankly at the tank in front of them.
It was something she and the social worker had talked about.
“Tony signed away his rights. The social worker is going to try reaching out on the off chance he’ll change his mind.
But I don’t think he will. If forced, I think he’d turn her over to the State. ”
“What did the lawyer…Margaret…say?
“Magda. She said say nothing to no one,” Abby said.
“But?” her mom prompted.
“But, Erin, the social worker, thinks I should try to reach out to him. That I might be able to talk him into taking Olivia.”
“And?” her mom prompted.
“Can I admit something ugly?” Abby asked.
“About Olivia?”
“Kind of. I’m worried he’s going to say yes. And if he says yes to Olivia, he’s going to want access to Will.”
“That would not be great,” her mom said.
“I don’t want him in our lives. Even if he doesn’t want anything to do with Will, I’m not going to wash my hands of Olivia and send her off with him. But should I try talking to him?” She looked at her mom. “Am I being selfish by not reaching out to him? For Olivia’s sake?”
“Do you think it will make a difference?”
Abby shook her head. “No. If anything, I think it would drive him to be vindictive in some way.”
“If the roles were reversed, would you want me or Naomi or Lindsey to reach out to him about Will if anything happened to you?”
“Hell, no.” There was no doubt in her mind. Naomi was her secondary guardian if anything happened to her or her mom. Tony had never even been a consideration in her guardianship plan. “I wouldn’t want to subject Will to that kind of rejection or emotional damage.”
“Then go with the lawyer’s advice. Don’t say nothing to no one,” her mom said. “It’s not selfish to want to protect yourself and Will. Or Olivia. But I wouldn’t be your mother if I didn’t ask: are you sure you’re up for this? It’s a lot—taking on a preteen girl.”
Abby smiled sardonically. “I’m not sure at all. But I know I can’t hand her back over to her aunt or put her in foster care. We’re the closest thing she has to family. Will is her family by blood. I don’t have any illusions this will be easy. Or quick. But I can’t turn my back on her.”
Her mom stopped and rubbed Abby’s arms. “I’d be very disappointed if you did. I’m here when you need me. However you need me. It’ll be nice to have a granddaughter.”
Abby smiled and tears pricked her eyes as relief washed through her. She’d been worried. She shouldn’t have been, her mother was one of the most giving and accepting people she knew, but there was always the small chance she’d tell Abby she was making a mistake.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“You’re welcome,” her mom said.
They turned and trailed after the kids again.
“I do have a favor to ask. A small one.”
“What’s that?”
“I might need you to babysit in a couple of weeks. After the showcase.”
“Of course. Is this the man from the coffee date?” her mother asked.
“Uh…it’s someone else,” Abby said.
“Ooh. Look at you. Dates with two different men so close together.”
“Don’t get excited. It’s Christian.”
“Christian, the man who didn’t call you after I caught you on the porch kissing, Christian? The man you were so disappointed about because you knew he wasn’t going to call you back? That Christian?”
“Could you please stop saying Christian?”
“Well, that’s his name, isn’t it? What else should I call him? Tinker? That’s a ridiculous name for a grown man.” Her mom could be like a dog with its favorite chew toy when she sank her teeth into something.
“Yes, that’s him. He helped me when Olivia showed up.”
“Helped how?”
“He gave me Katherine’s number, who set me up with the social worker and helped get the ball rolling to get legal guardianship of Olivia.”
“Did he?”
“Yes, Mom. He did. Can you watch the kids?”
“I suppose. But he has to come in the house and introduce himself properly,” her mom said.
“Please don’t embarrass me,” Abby begged.
“When have I ever embarrassed you?”
“Oh, I don’t know…Homecoming, Junior Prom, Senior Prom. That time I brought Phil home from college for Thanksgiving break.”
“How did I embarrass you with Phil?” Her mom looked offended.
“Mom, you asked him if he was gay.”
“Well, wasn’t he?”
“That’s not the point. It was embarrassing,” Abby said.
“You were embarrassed because you didn’t know and thought he was there as a love interest.”
It was a moment she relived occasionally, like the ghost of mortifications past snuck into her room late at night to laugh at her.
“Again, not the point. Just please promise you won’t do anything embarrassing.”
“I’m sorry, dear. I love you, but it’s my job as your mother to embarrass you as often as possible.”
“Ugh.” Abby dropped her head back and stared up at the lifesize blue whale model hanging from the ceiling. “I’m putting you in a home the first chance I get.”
“Just make sure it’s a nice one.” Her mom patted her shoulder and caught up with the kids.