Chapter 24 #2
But there was enough of a path for me to climb up away from the water to get a good view of the endless trees and the mountains in the distance. Of all the places we’d lived, New York had always been my favorite.
Probably why I’d finally landed in the middle of the state. I’d never quite been a city girl, but I definitely wasn’t made for rural life. Kensington Square was the best of both worlds. Close enough to a major city, but far enough away that I didn’t have to worry about crime.
This was a helluva view though. I pulled out my phone and snapped a picture, then immediately opened my texts to send it to…
I stared at the contact name I’d instinctively gone for.
Not Luna.
PMS.
Luckily, I didn’t have enough bars to send to anyone because I wasn’t sure which one would win.
I took a few more photos because it was gorgeous and my phone was out anyway, and then I shoved it back in my pocket and found a flat rock to settle on.
Maybe Sylvia and Roz would enjoy some outdoor activity. Would Roz get Sylvia a cat pouch like Preston had for Smoky? Assuming he ever used it.
Hmm, could I bribe him through sensual means to wear the Pussy Papa pouch?
Not relevant now, Moon.
Moving on. Sylvia was a fox, but maybe she’d enjoy an adventure.
Maybe Smoky would too.
Ugh. Stop thinking about him. You have drawings you need to revise for Penn.
I flipped to a fresh page and began sketching out the usual windowsill that Sylvia sat at and surveyed her kingdom.
Roz lived in an apartment building overlooking a street much like the bustling business district of Kensington Square.
The fox often lusted after the baked goods of The Honey Pot.
Of course if my comic ever did go out there in the world, I’d have to rename the bakery.
As I did quick little studies of Sylvia to get the poses down, I found myself sketching the gray cat again. The nebulous idea that kept knocking at my subconscious this last week suddenly had three legs.
I slammed my sketch book closed.
That wasn’t in the plan. The comic was about Roz and Sylvia. I shoved my pencils into my bag and got up.
My rumbling stomach saved me from any more introspection. Instead, I headed back to the campsite, the scent of hamburgers pushing thoughts of Preston and Smoky to the back of my mind.
Music was playing. It was always playing when it came to my mother. She was singing along to CCR in her off-key way as she flipped corn, still in the skins, on the mini portable grill.
“Oh, there you are. Just in time. Go wash up, and we’ll have some food and chat. You can help me with some of the skeins I need to make up for tomorrow.”
I didn’t really want to chat, but it was the price of food. Well, I’d paid for the food too, but that was neither here nor there when it came to Rainbow.
“Oh, grab your cards too,” she called out. “I met this guy online. We’re supposed to meet up tomorrow at the festival.”
“Of course you are,” I muttered to myself.
But at least doing a reading for my mother would help get a certain lawyer off the topic of conversation.
I stepped up into the Airstream. My mother had transformed the couch into a bed and set out my PJs for later like I was still eight years old.
The sweetness of it got me—enough that I had to sit down for a second.
I couldn’t remember the last time anyone had done something for me.
Even before I’d broken off from my mom, I’d had to learn how to be self-sufficient because she hadn’t been around much when she was involved with one of her guys.
I pulled my phone out to put on the makeshift charger station she had on a small shelf. Just as I was about to plug it in, it rang in my hand. There were barely two bars, and I didn’t recognize the number. But something told me to pick up.
At least the cell service at the camping area was better than by the water.
“Hello?”
“Is this Ryan Moon?”
“Yes…” He sounded familiar.
“I’m the vet over at Kitten Around. Grant Thorn?”
The more he spoke, the more his Irish accent flowed over the line. I could feel the tension in his voice.
“Right, from the park. With Poppy.”
“Yes.” He seemed relieved. “I know this is a bit forward, but I’m in a spot. I’ve called a few people, but no one seems to want to take on my case.”
“Case?”
“You work for a lawyer, right? I think he was the one you came into the adoption clinic with.”
“Right.” I cleared my throat. “Yes, he was my boss.”
“Was?” He sighed. “Oh.”
“What seems to be the problem, Grant?”
“I don’t even know if your former employer would take my case. I just…” He seemed to trail off to collect himself.
“It’s okay. Just tell me what’s up.”
“It’s my daughter.”
“Poppy? Is something wrong?”
“Yes. No. I mean, she’s fine, but I just got served from my in-laws. They want to take my baby from me. I can’t let that happen.”
“Preston will help.”
I hadn’t even been aware that would fly out of my mouth. But I knew he would without question.
Grant blew out a breath. “Do you think he’d take my case? Truly?”
“Yes. I don’t know the specifics, but Preston is your man.” Family law wasn’t exactly his expertise, but I’d believed him when he told me he wanted to help people rather than specializing in divorce. He was a stand-up guy.
I rattled off Preston’s direct line at work because, well, that was probably the best way to reach him since April wasn’t exactly there to take his calls.
I couldn’t help wincing. Nor was I.
“Call him and tell him about your problem.” I made my tone as reassuring as possible. “He’ll win your case, Grant.”
“You don’t even know the details.”
“You love that little girl. That’s all I need to know.”
“Thanks.” His voice was deeper and full of emotion.
“And I know Preston will do whatever is necessary for you to keep your child. I know him.”
I did, I realized. Maybe it didn’t make sense in terms of time, but that certainty was a steady glow inside my belly. I fisted my hand against it. There was so many things I wasn’t sure of, but that he’d always try to do the right thing wasn’t one of them.
“I’m sorry to impose and I shouldn’t have dug around for your number, but I was desperate.”
“We do what we have to when we’re protecting our family.” I glanced out the window to where my mother was hanging hanks of yarn on her makeshift racks. “Family is all we have in the end. And those who we care about the most.”
“I don’t know the specifics, Miss—”
“I think we can go with Ryan.”
He laughed lightly. “Ryan, then. But I can tell you from personal experience that life is short. Don’t waste it. When I lost my Anna, it tore me apart, but I’m a better man for loving her. Even if it was only for a few short years.”
My throat tightened. His pain was palpable, but there was determination in there too. “I hope Preston can help.”
I know he can.
“Thank you, Ryan. I hope you find what you’re looking for.”
How did he know? Was I that obvious? “Thanks. Kiss that little girl for me. And the ever-precocious Bosco.”
“I will. Talk soon.”
And then he was gone.
I plugged my phone in again and grabbed my deck. I shuffled and threw two cards to see what the cards had to say.
I laughed at the Three of Swords and Ten of Swords.
“Damn cards.”
I turned the deck up to see what the shadow card was and found The World.
Endings and beginnings.
Then I looked at the three of swords piercing the heart. Was that my future or was I just afraid that it would be? The Ten of Swords spoke of endings as well. Of working through the pain, but with the hope of something new on the horizon.
Was PMS my new horizon or the pain I had to work through?
That was the bigger question.
“Ryan! What are you doing in there? Food is ready.”
“Coming,” I called.
I swiped up my cards and stuffed them in my hoodie pocket. Dealing with my mother’s love troubles was definitely easier than trying to decipher my own.