Chapter 19
Issac
Tomorrow was competition day, and it was the last one of the season.
As much as I enjoyed seeing Hallie dance, I was kinda ready for a break.
Spending practically every day at the studio and then traveling on the weekends for competitions made it hard to get anything else done.
Racing season would start up soon, and I needed time to travel for that.
There’s a rehearsal tonight at the studio, and I’m hoping to get some help with this costume because I’m not sure I got all the stones in the correct spot.
“Dad! We have to go!” Hallie was rushing down the stairs toward the front door with her dance bag swinging from her shoulder.
“Did you get him?” She grinned as we made our way out to the truck.
“Get who?” I played dumb. Hallie was probably just as invested in this as I was.
“Maverick, silly.” She shook her head as she climbed in.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I chuckled as I cranked the engine and began heading toward the studio.
“Daddy. Maverick is only the fastest horse we’ve looked at. He was chocolate brown and about seventeen hands. Tell me you’re joking.” She crossed her arms over her chest, and I couldn’t help it. I started laughing… hard.
“Yes, sweetie. I bought him. He’ll be at the farm on Friday.
” I smiled as she happily clapped in the back seat.
“He’s going to need time to settle in though, so you leave him be until Craig gives you the ok,” I warned.
Hallie was usually good around the horses, but she had been kicked once or twice from going too far too fast when we’d brought new ones around on the farm.
“Promise,” she murmured. We’d just parked at the studio and as we were getting out, Lou pulled up a few spaces away. Amy jumped out and ran inside, with Lou following behind her.
“Hey! Wait up!” Hallie rushed off in their wake.
By the time I got inside, the girls had already gone in to rehearse. Lou was seated on one of the loveseats reading a book and seemed unaware that I was even there.
“Busy day?” I sat down beside her.
“You could say that.” She seemed upset.
“Everything ok?” I watched as she started to speak but stopped herself.
“Not really, but there’s nothing you can do to help.” She sighed. “The past just seems to want to be the present at the moment and I’m trying to deal with it.” She shook her head. “Just ignore me.” She looked off into space as her face went from upset to blank.
“Ok, well I wanted to show you this. Did I put these in the right spot?” I pulled the blue costume from the bag sitting at my feet. “I worked on it all night.”
“It looks great.” She smiled and then it faded as soon as it appeared. “I need to make a call. Excuse me.” She stood up and went outside.
When she didn’t come back after a few minutes, I began to worry. Rehearsal finished and the girls came rushing out. “All set, Daddy.” Hallie changed her shoes and began packing her things.
“Ok. Just a minute.” I waited for Amy to start getting her things. She looked around as if she wasn’t sure where her mother was. “Your mom went outside to make a phone call. I can wait with you until she comes back in,” I offered.
“She’s talking to my dad,” Amy muttered.
“He came by this morning. He wanted to spend time with me, and she said no. They’ve been fighting all day.
” She flung her bag up on her shoulder. “She’s prolly in the car waiting.
” She turned and left, and a part of me hurt for her.
The way she explained things made me think that this wasn’t something new.
It seemed like this was something she was used to.
When I came outside with Hallie, Lou’s car was gone. Part of me wanted to look for her, but another part told me it wasn’t my business. “I think she needs a hug, Daddy,” Hallie lamented as we climbed in the truck.
“I think you might be right.” I drove us home. After fixing Hallie something to eat, I asked Annabelle to keep an eye on her. Something in my gut told me to go find Lou.
Ooooooooo
Louisiana
Charlie had been calling me all day. He suddenly decided after a year that he needed to see Amy.
I could tell by the sound of his voice that he’d been drinking but I didn’t say anything.
The last thing that I wanted to do was open up that can of worms. After leaving the studio, I took Amy to my parents’ house.
Something told me that Charlie would seek us out, and I really didn’t need Amy seeing that tonight.
She needed to be ready for competition tomorrow.
After talking to my mom for a few minutes and filling her in on what was going on, she suggested that Amy sleep over.
I thanked her and let her know I’d be by in the morning to pick her up for competition.
After leaving my parents’ house, I went to Life in Bloom. I wanted to talk to Carrie, and I needed to go somewhere and think. I didn’t understand why after all this time Charlie suddenly had an interest in Amy and why he thought he could just waltz back into our lives as if nothing had happened.
As I was climbing out of the car, Carrie opened the door. Her face looked sad as she watched me. “Don’t you dare feel sorry for me,” I scolded. “I don’t want or need your pity.” I stormed past her and she let the door close behind us.
“That’s right. Get mad!” she shouted. “Let it out.”
“I’m so pissed right now. Why is he doing this now?
” I stomped across the shop. It was after hours, so no customers were around.
Carrie had several bouquet orders for tomorrow from parents who wanted flowers for their kids at the competition, but other than that I think she was just waiting for me.
“He’s had months to be in our lives and when I finally start to move on, that’s when he decides that he needs to come around more.
” I was pacing, fists at my side, and panting I was breathing so hard.
“I hate feeling like this!” I stomped my foot.
It was then that headlights appeared in the parking lot and began shining through the front door. “Are you expecting anyone?” My head swung in Carrie’s direction.
She shook her head as the door flew open.
There standing in the doorway was a disheveled Charlie.
His hair needed to be cut. It was sticking up in every direction and looked as if it hadn’t been washed in days.
His jeans were a few sizes too big and ripped on one leg.
The t-shirt he was wearing was torn at the neck and had several stains on the front.
If I didn’t know any better, he almost appeared homeless.
He staggered inside, his eyes wild and he gripped the doorway for balance. “I wanna see my daughter,” he growled.
“She’s not here.” I lifted my chin. I would not give in to him.
“I have every right to see her. Where is she?” He moved closer, and I could smell the whiskey on his breath.
My body froze as memories flooded my brain.
All the years I overlooked his faults, told myself this was normal, things would change.
Every moment flashed through my head. Every night of smelling this as he climbed into bed.
Every excuse as to why he couldn’t keep a job.
All the things he missed and the reasons he gave for not being there.
“You need to leave.” I kept my voice calm.
“I’m not leaving without seeing her.” He pointed at me as he moved farther inside. “Where is she?”
“I’m calling the cops,” Carrie muttered from behind me.
“No, he’s gonna leave. Right, Charlie?” I lowered my voice.
“Always the peacemaker.” He chuckled. “Can’t believe this is where you ended up.” He tossed his head back and started laughing maniacally. “You always thought you were so high and mighty and look where you are now.”
“Everything ok?” Issac walked in. I didn’t even see him pull up.
“Who the fuck are you?” Charlie spun around, almost falling over in the process.
“I could ask you the same thing. The shop is closed. I think you need to leave.” Issac stepped closer and tried to guide Charlie out.
“The fuck I do. This is my wife. I can stay if I want.” He flung his arms to break free from Issac’s grip.
“Charlie, please leave,” I tried again.
Charlie’s drunken gaze swung between Carrie, Issac, and me before he started to make the connection. “Oh, fuck no. No fucking way.” He spun to face Issac. “You keep your fucking hands off my wife and kid. You hear me. They’re mine!” He stumbled slightly and tried to take a swing at Issac.
“Ok, we’re done here,” Issac growled as he grabbed Charlie’s arm and forced him outside. I could hear muffled shouting and then after a few minutes, Issac came in shaking his hand.
“Where’d he go?” I looked around frantically.
“Home.” Issac rubbed his knuckles before coming over to where we were standing. “Are you ok?” He wrapped his arm around me, and I couldn’t help it. I pulled away. I didn’t mean to, but I’d been on edge all day and Charlie’s jabs hit their mark. “I’m sorry.” He released me.
“I’m sorry, too. I just… I can’t right now.”
“Come on.” He started to guide me outside. “I’m taking you home.”
“But my car?” It was a feeble attempt but failed.
“Will still be here in the morning. You shouldn’t be driving tonight.
Let me take you home.” He walked me to his truck, and I climbed in, almost robot-like.
There was a small part of me that didn’t think I deserved this, and the other part wondered why after everything he just witnessed, Issac would still be here helping me.
We rode in silence to my apartment, aside from me giving directions about where to turn. When we pulled into the parking area, I stared out the windshield, trying to find the words that were eluding me. Issac cut the engine and just waited.
“I’m sorry.” I finally broke the quiet. “I’m sorry you had to see that.”
“I’m not.” He reached over and placed his hand on mine.
“You’re not?” I glanced over at him, completely confused.
“He doesn’t define you. He’s the reason you are the way you are, and it explains a lot, but he doesn’t define you.
” He squeezed my hand. “You’re a good mom and a great person.
You’re beautiful and kind, and smart. You are none of the things he called you over the years you were married to him.
It’s not your fault he’s the way he is. He controls that, not you, so don’t you go blaming yourself for any of that.
” He turned in his seat to face me. “Do you hear me?” He cupped my chin, and I nodded, tears streaming down my face at this point. “Do you really hear me?”
“I do, but I might need you to say it a lot before I start believing it,” I murmured and sniffed. “Thank you.”
He leaned in and placed a quick kiss my lips. “You’re welcome. I’ll come get you in the morning to get your car, and then we’re gonna go watch our babies kick some butt in their last competition.” He smiled and flashed his teeth.
“Sounds like a plan.” I wiped at my eyes. “I’ll see you in the morning.” I started to climb out, and he climbed out too. “What are you doing?” I spun toward him, surprise covering my face.
“Walking you to the door. I would never expect you to walk to your own door in the dark.” He wrapped his arms around my shoulders as he led me up the stairs to my door.
“Good night.” He placed another kiss, this time to my forehead, before he turned to jog down the steps.
“See you tomorrow,” he called before disappearing into the darkness.