6. Case For A Good Prenup #2
I drove the kids home and they fell asleep on the way back.
I was relieved that they were all tuckered out.
I allowed them their short nap and listened to a low volume news broadcast on the way home.
When I arrived at my place, there was a cop car outside.
Great. I could feel my heart racing as I thought the worst — Rose had broken in, or done something.
I pulled into the car and then woke the kids up, ushering them upstairs to their bedrooms before I returned outside and tapped gently on the car window.
It wasn’t a stranger this time. This cop was an old buddy of mine. We used to lift weights back in the day when I thought I was going to be a body builder instead of a doctor. Officer Randall Burns rarely made house calls so I knew something was up.
He rolled down the window and looked around.
“Can I come inside buddy?”
“Sure, is something going on?”
“We’ll talk. I just want to make sure you ain’t busy with the kids or nothing.”
I shook my head, “They’re upstairs. Probably taking showers. You can come in.”
He turned the engine off and then got out of the car. Randall was about my height with thick hair and broad features. His uniform was crisped and the gun in his holster only added to his daunting appearance. I led Randall inside.
“Drink?”
“No thank you sir.”
I got myself a glass of water and we stood in my kitchen.
“What’s going on?”
“I’m here off the record.”
“Sure.”
“We got a call today down at the station so I came to give you a heads up.”
“A call? From who?”
“I think you oughta be able to guess.”
“Rose.”
“Yes, that ex-wife of yours.”
Unfortunately for me, many of the guys down at the station were quite familiar with my ex-wife. I let out a long sigh and then downed my water.
“Do I need something stronger?” I asked Randall.
“You might.”
I reached for my whiskey and poured myself a small glass.
Randall continued, “She called down at the station with some long story about how Mark Jagger was stalking her. She said you kept calling her house and she saw your car following her. She said she feared for her life.”
“Bullshit,” I spat.
Randall grinned, “Easy buddy.””
“Sorry…”
“I know it’s bullshit,” He continued, “And that’s why I’m down here.”
“Right.”
“We’re obligated to investigate and make reports. Now, most of the guys down at the station remember when you two were married. Hell, we were busy with all the disturbances and such.”
I looked down sheepishly. I hated any reminder of that time of my life. My fights with Rose got so loud. Then, she’d start breaking things and swearing until someone in the neighborhood got fed-up and called the cops. It was just her M.O.
“Right.”
Randall looked at me sternly, “Be careful. There are others on the force who may take her side. After all, Rose is a persuasive lady. If there’s an investigation, it could threaten your custody.”
“Right.”
“You don’t seem surprised.”
“Rose wants to take the kids away from me, I’ve known that.”
“Are you doing anything about it?”
“Trying.”
Randall nodded, “Well it may be time for you to give it an even greater shot. She’s taking big risks lying to cops. This may blow up Mark.”
“I know. I know.”
“I know a crazy woman can be tempting to keep around buddy. But that Rose ain’t no good.”
“I know. Thanks for stopping by Officer Burns.”
“Don’t sweat it buddy. Now I should get going now but be careful… I don’t trust that woman.”
“I don’t trust her either.”
“Well then good,” Randall said, standing up.
I led him to the door with my whiskey in hand. Randall tipped his hat and then returned towards the cop car. I felt sick to my stomach, but I was pretty sure it was the whiskey. I knew it would be wise to heed Randall’s words. But before that, I had a responsibility to my kids.
I walked upstairs and saw Preston and Poppy playing together in their PJs. No fighting. No big messes. They still seemed beat from the game.
“You two ready for bed soon?”
They both nodded.
“Great.”
“Who was downstairs daddy?” Poppy asked.
I pulled my little girl close and kissed the top of her head.
“A friend of mine. Giving me some important information.”
“Is it about mommy?” Preston asked.
I felt a lump in my throat.
Those kids had been through enough with their mother and the thought of putting them through more broke my heart. So I lied.
“No. It’s about something else. Now you two don’t worry and let’s get you to bed.”
I don’t think my kids bought the lie, but they must have figured out that I didn’t have it in me to tell them any more bad news about their mother. It didn’t take long for them to fall asleep. Running around the soccer field had wiped them out and my babies easily slipped off to bed.
I went downstairs and flicked on the light in my living room.
I wanted to call Lola, but I didn’t know what to tell her or how to say it.
She would be right to be scared. She would be right to want to avoid my mess.
It had been a long time since I’d done this, but I poured myself another glass of whiskey and just sat in my armchair.
I reminded myself of my father — stoic, quietly pouring over his troubles with a glass of whiskey in his hand. Yet unlike my father, I didn’t wish to close myself off to true love. I wanted Lola. I wanted a happy family. I just needed to figure out a way to get it.
I drank until the whiskey started to taste like water. I toyed with calling Lola again, but avoided it. Lola, Lola, Lola… The woman who made me come out of my shell. The woman who made me think it was possible to find true love.
Lola, Lola, Lola, the woman who the demons of my past desperately wanted to get rid of. I needed to protect her. I needed to protect my children, both the living and the unborn. Whiskey wasn’t helping. But it sure made the bitter pills easier to swallow.