Chapter 13
MICAH
“Aw, Graham,” I hear Owen whine from somewhere in the garage. “Don’t tell me you’ve gotten yourself into trouble with that Aubrey girl again.”
Fat chance.
Aubrey Michaels is a straight-up psychopath with a needy fetish to tie my best friend down, and then, when he calls off their sex-a-thons, she calls the cops on him.
“I haven’t seen that broad in two months,” I hear Graham imparts sharply, already annoyed by the mention of her name as I continue to work on changing transmission fluid in one of our service vehicles today. “And I didn’t do anything.”
“Then why the hell is Dodger here?”
I snort out a half-ass chuckle because Dodger is the Sheriff Deputy.
And his real name is Henry Abbott.
All-star quarterback, we used to play in high school together, and he got a full ride to college until he blew his shoulder out and dropped his dream altogether.
“I didn’t do it,” I hear Graham immediately bark out in frustration. “I have alibis, Dodger.”
“I ain’t here for you,” I hear Dodger announce. “But you still sound guilty as hell.”
“You’re supposed to think that.”
“Bullshit. I’ve driven you into the station so many times, we should have a plaque with your name on it.”
Ha.
Ain’t that the truth?
“Micah,” I hear him call. “Need you, friend.”
My immediate thought is my son, and that something happened at the school as I roll myself out from underneath the mom van I’m working on.
I find him standing a few feet away with an envelope in his hand.
“What’s up?” I ask, pushing myself up from the creeper. “What happened?”
“Heath’s fine,” he says calmly as if already sensing or knowing it’d be my first go-to. “This is for you.”
He reaches out to give me what’s in his hands, and I hesitate.
My mortgage has been paid.
I don’t owe anyone any money.
I haven’t touched Aubrey Michaels with a ten-foot pole.
Dodger lifts his mystery file higher. “I don’t got all day, Wolfe.”
Plucking it from his grasp because he doesn’t need to be a dick about it, he tips his large beige hat at me, and I’m tempted to knock it off his head. “Sorry, man.”
Then he waltzes out like he didn’t just randomly come in, hand me over something confidential that needed a visit.
This can’t be good.
“Speaking of chaos,” I hear Graham sassing like a moron. “What trouble are you tryin’ to cause here, Dodger?”
“None of your business. Get back to work.”
“Ha!” I hear Owen bark out. “Thanks, Dodger. Bring that old pick-up truck in anytime.”
“Will do. Take care.”
“What the hell?” I hear Graham grumble. “What is it?”
I can’t open it.
I’m not entirely sure why my body won’t function properly, but something is warning me that shit’s up.
Big shit.
“Don’t know,” I mutter. “Open it.”
Graham doesn’t pluck the manila envelope like I want him to. Instead, he just stares openly at it. “What is it?”
My arm shoots out without much thought, other than I’m suddenly nervous as hell and he’s not helping, hitting him square in the chest. “I just said I don’t know, dipshit. Open it.”
After a few bated seconds, my best friend takes what’s in my hand and slowly opens it.
Each one of his movements makes it worse for me.
White papers are pulled out, and Graham begins to read.
And read.
And read.
And read some more.
“She’s lost her damn mind,” he leers through clenched teeth.
“Who?” I don’t wait for his response when I pluck my stuff out of his fingers and glance down.
The black ink blurring together as I blink a few times.
STATE OF GEORGIA
COUNTY OF MAGNOLIA
FAMILY COURT DIVISION
SUMMONS
Case No. 25-FC-7234490
In the Matter of Custody of:
Heath Wolfe, Minor Child
Petitioner: Laura Ann Groves
Respondent: Luca Micah Wolfe
To: Luca Micah Wolfe
You are hereby notified that a Petition for Custody has been filed against you in the Family Court of Magnolia County by Laura Ann Groves.
You are required to file a written response within twenty (20) days of receiving this Summons.
Failure to respond may result in the Court granting the Petitioner the relief requested in her Petition, including legal and physical custody of the minor child.
A hearing is scheduled as follows:
I flip the page and my stomach begins gutting itself out.
PETITION FOR CUSTODY
Filed by: Laura Ann Groves (Petitioner)
Against: Luca Micah Wolfe (Respondent)
Re: Minor Child: Heath Wolfe, age 6
Petitioner states the following:
The minor child was born on March 29th, 2019, and has primarily resided with the Respondent for the past five (5) years.
Petitioner has recently returned to Magnolia County and seeks to reestablish a parental role in the child’s life.
Petitioner requests that the Court grant joint legal custody and reasonable parenting time to allow the child to maintain a meaningful relationship with both parents.
Petitioner believes that shared custody is in the best interest of the child.
Petitioner has concerns regarding the Respondent’s recent conduct, including:
Respondent’s involvement with the child’s teacher which may create confusion for the minor child.
Potential violation of professional boundaries within the child’s school environment.
Emotional instability caused by the Respondent prioritizing this relationship.
Petitioner requests that the Court consider the following temporary relief pending a full hearing:
Weekly visitation with the child (unsupervised).
Temporary joint legal custody.
Petitioner respectfully requests this Court to:
a. Grant joint legal and physical custody of the minor child;
b. Establish a parenting schedule;
c. Order the parties to mediation;
d. And grant such other relief as the Court finds equitable.
I’m going to kill her.
I’m going to kill my baby mama.