Chapter 27 Get Through This
GET THROUGH THIS
“Thanks for meeting with me so quickly,” Chance said mid-morning the next day.
Jocelyn had come through for him last night, calling Walker Olson, with him on speaker, then calling Walker’s sister Monica who dealt with more family court issues.
Monica told him to come in at eleven, which gave him enough time to collect DNA from Maverick and submit it with his.
“Not a problem,” Monica said. “This is urgent and an odd situation. You got the DNA submitted just fine?”
“This morning. I called when they opened, then got there as soon as I could and paid for it to be expedited. They said I might have it as soon as this afternoon, but I’m not holding my breath. Definitely by tomorrow morning.”
The cost meant nothing right now. Figuring out his life was more important.
If this came back positive, there was a lot more money he’d be spending.
His place wasn’t equipped for a child, least of all a toddler.
Hell, he didn’t even know how to change a damn diaper and Maverick was still wearing one!
Jocelyn had been great last night. Better than other women would have been.
She’d taken control of the situation, eased Nettie’s mind, and helped her with Maverick. Then she’d hugged him and said she had him when he gave her an out.
She says that now. Time will tell.
“That’s great,” Monica said. “Tell me what you know.”
“Not much,” he said. “Which is worse. Baylee Bradley and I dated briefly, if you can call it that, less than three years ago. I guess the timing is right, but I’m not one to hang onto exact dates.”
He hadn’t missed that Maverick resembled him. Not that he could tell as much as Jocelyn had.
But in his heart, he looked at the toddler who was wary of being around anyone but Jocelyn or Nettie and knew it was his kid.
He wouldn’t get closer until he knew for sure. He’d confessed to Jocelyn he was remaining detached until he had the facts.
Why get drawn into a child that was growing up like he had when there was nothing he could do if it wasn’t his child?
The minute the positive results were in his hand, he was moving Maverick into his place. He wanted that clear.
“We’ll know more soon. Until then, there isn’t much we can do other than talk. Nettie Bradley has custody right now?”
“I doubt it. I’m sure it’s just that Maverick is living there.
What I know is Baylee is in jail on drug possession and intent to sell or move drugs.
I’m unsure of the exact legal terms, but it seems she was involved with a group that sold and moved drugs across state lines.
Police caught her speeding and found the drugs. ”
“Not good,” Monica said.
“No. And not my problem.”
“Full custody could be six months on abandonment at Maverick’s age. Unless you can get her to sign over custody to you.”
“I don’t understand this,” he said. “If she’s in jail and could be for years, I should get full custody, right?”
“It’s not always as easy as it seems. Temporary custody is the way to go right now.”
“I don’t want him to go into foster care. That’s not happening.” His chest was heaving as he all but spit those words out.
Those few days he’d been there himself were the worst of his life. He’d never forget them.
At Maverick’s age, the boy might not remember, but Chance would avoid it at all costs.
He didn’t think he was getting ahead of himself, but Nettie had said she wouldn’t give Maverick up until everything was set for Chance to take him.
If it was his kid.
Which he was positive was the case.
“It would be nice to not get social services involved, but that’s not possible. He’s in his home with his grandmother right now. You’ve got a good stable job and own your own business.”
“A risky job,” he said. “And I’m single. Is that going to be an issue? I’ve got to get childcare set up, but I’m going to take a leave of absence from work. I’m off tomorrow with my shift on Thursday covered if need be.”
He hadn’t talked to his Chief yet or his grandmother. Once he got the results, that would be his next call.
“And we will present all of that. Do you have help with Maverick?”
“My grandmother,” he said. “Jocelyn has offered too.”
Monica smiled. “She loves kids.”
“So she said.”
And it was the first he’d heard it.
Not that he’d been the one to bring up the conversation and neither had she, but someone her age who loved kids and wanted them, would cross it soon.
He talked with Monica about a few more things, then left and drove to Jocelyn’s office.
She was going to take the day off and be with him for this appointment, but he’d said there was no need for it. He was off at the bar tonight, so that was something at least. There would be no call to his grandmother that he had to get someone to cover for him and she’d want to know why.
At the front desk, he gave his name and was told where Jocelyn’s office was. It was the first he’d been in here. Good thing her parents were aware of him and Jocelyn dating. The same with Gabe.
He popped his head into her open doorway.
“Hi,” she said, getting up and moving close to hug him. She shut the door. “Got everything squared away?”
He could have texted her what was going on this morning, but it wasn’t his way to do that. He’d never leaned on anyone before. Never had anyone but his grandmother.
“Yeah. I might get the results this afternoon. If not, tomorrow morning. Monica is ready to draw up the paperwork for temporary custody. She said it’s the quickest thing to do and submit.
Nettie promised she’d hang onto Maverick until I could get him.
I mean, she’s not calling social services or anything.
Avoiding it as long as possible. Monica said she’ll deal with it once we have the results. ”
“It’s all you can do.”
“Did you tell your parents what was going on?”
“No,” she said. “Do you care if I do? I figured it’d be better to wait until we know the outcome.”
“Jocelyn. I’m pretty sure I know it.”
She nodded and hugged him tighter. “Me too. I haven’t asked how you feel about any of this because I know you need to process it.”
“I do. I’m just taking things one step at a time. I don’t even know how to change a diaper. I’ve never been around kids.”
“I have. To all those things,” she said. “I know what you’ll need. Would you be upset if I said I’ve been making a list?”
He forced out a laugh at her squished up nose. “No. Not at all. I’m sure he’s got what he needs at Nettie’s, but I don’t know how much.”
“Or the quality. Best to leave most of it there. Other than clothing and special toys he might have attachments to. It didn’t seem Maverick talked all that much. You don’t know what he likes to eat or do or anything. This will not be easy.”
“I know. Monica told me. She’s got contacts at social services and I’ll most likely need home visits. Childcare. All those things.”
“Got it on my list,” she said, nodding. He was positive it wasn’t the same type of childcare he’d be looking for.
“I feel as if I’m floundering here. My mind is on that, you, work.”
“Don’t worry about me,” she said.
“Hard not to. It’s a lot for me and going to be nuts for you. We barely see each other as it is.”
“And since you might need my help, we might see more of each other. Just in a different light, which isn’t a bad thing either. Chance, I’ll take the rest of the week off and we’ll get through this. I mean it. I can work from home.”
“Thanks,” he said. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.”
“Listen, Chance. This thing we’ve got that I’m not putting a name on… Whatever happens, I wouldn’t leave you hanging with a kid. I mean that. If it helps to hear that and get one thing off your mind, then believe that. You’re not alone. You might feel it, but you’re not.”
His arms tightened again. His eyes itched. He wasn’t a guy who cried in his life, but those words made the water fill briefly.