Chapter 26
Natalie
“Yo, what’s going on?” I ask Kate who’s hiding just outside of Candace’s office, out of sight. It’s freezing this morning, but all the clothes I could steal are too fancy for just lounging. I prefer drowning in my sweats, not having them snug.
“My dad’s on the phone with her, and she’s really upset.” She frowns and keeps her focus on her mom.
“Are you some kind of detective? How long have you been out here?” I ask, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.
“I don’t know, a while. Mom just stares at the wall and repeats ‘okay’ until dad hangs up. It’s already been eleven times.” she says solemnly, her eyes fixed on Candace.
“Hmm, alright, little homie. Go get your sister. Let’s leave your mom be and make some breakfast for her,” I suggest, wrapping my thin sweatshirt tighter around my body, hoping the chill running through me is from the temperature and not whatever’s happening on the other end of the phone call.
The girls and I spend the next forty minutes destroying the kitchen again.
I swear to God, if a family member drops by, I’ll make them drop to their knees and lick this mess up.
Candace’s parents are a joke; they only appear at the worst moments, like a late period when you’ve got a white bikini on.
Fuck I hate periods and her lunatic parents.
“Oh my goodness, you guys made breakfast again,” Candace squeals, skipping down the stairs. She puts on a brave face for the girls, but her eyes are swollen, and her voice sounds a little hoarse. I can tell right off the bat the phone call from baby daddy wasn’t him asking for more custody.
“Mom, Nat said it’s okay to eat chocolate for breakfast if you secretly add it to the batter because then your body doesn’t know,” Madison chimes in, inhaling a third pancake.
“Well, it’s a good thing Nat teaches English and not health.” She smiles, helping herself to a pancake and her signature bowl of fresh fruit and yogurt.
Once the girls have finished their plates and run off to blast their jams, it’s just me and Candace alone. “So I assume the phone call wasn’t Publishers Clearing House letting you know they’re sending you a fat check.”
Her lips purse as she shakes her head, loading plates into the dishwasher. “Nope, it was Greg. He was confirming his plans to take the girls for the week of Thanksgiving.”
Handing her the plates, I nod in agreement. “Yeah, we knew that, though. Does he want them for Christmas, too?” I ask, finding comfort in this domestic routine we’ve found ourselves in.
“No, of course not. He’s cruising with his wife through the holidays and into the new year. He was basically giving me an earful about all the lovely things my parents called to say about me.”
“Of fucking course. So, deadbeat dad called to complain about me? A person he’s never met before, can’t wait to hear this.” I push myself up on the counter, making myself at home for this god-awful conversation.
I swear, every day it’s two steps forward, twenty steps back with us. One person gets in her head, and it takes the rest of the day to bring her back to me.
“Apparently, my parents called after they left last night to voice their concerns about my childish behavior. There've been several complaints from the neighbors, along with the PTA, about how I’m choosing to raise the girls. He’s obviously not concerned, given that he left us, but he puts on a good show for them.
When he plays the victim, pretending to be a doting father, they all worship at his feet,” she says, unimpressed.
“Please, your parents stroll through the neighborhood in matching velour jogging suits. Who the fuck wants them bowing down to them?” I roll my eyes, reaching for the blueberry muffins she baked yesterday.
“Greg does. He gets to be the good guy, the winner, the golden boy. Meanwhile, I’m made out to be the reason he left, a hopeless excuse for a wife, and now a poor example to children everywhere because of the company I keep,” she snaps, her irritation clearly growing.
“Company, as in me?” I assume, rolling my eyes. Times like this remind me of the age gap, making me feel like I’m being reprimanded.
She nods, starting the dishwasher. “I stopped listening after a while and just stared out the window, as the community I once depended on went about their day. Everyone forgets he left me for someone younger and bouncier. I refuse to be the bad guy here; I’ve done nothing wrong, and I won’t be caught dead apologizing for bringing you into our lives,” she says with confidence.
Jumping off the counter, I grab her waist, bringing her body close to me. “That’s my girl. Where has feisty Candace been hiding, and can she come out and play more often?”
She laughs into my shoulders and shrugs. “You’re turning into quite the headache, you know?”
“Good thing I have some tricks up my sleeve guaranteed to relieve said headache.” I kiss along her jawline, breathing in her sweet scent from breakfast. “I hate to pile on more bad news, but I promised my parents I’d show up for Thanksgiving, but I can bail before the end of the week and come hang while the girls are gone. ”
Her smile is soft and inviting, always one to never rock the boat. “It’s okay. Have fun, go home, and be with your family. Court and I will have a spa week, and I’m sure she’ll drag me out at the crack of dawn to shop.”
Kissing her forehead softly, I reassure her. “Everything’s gonna be great. Don’t stress, let the girls see their dad. I’ll come back early and spend time with you and have our own Thanksgiving with you naked in my bed.”
Her laugh is instantly contagious. “That was so corny, I shouldn’t have loved it as much as I did.” She softly kisses my cheek. “Thank you for cheering me up.”
“Always, now let's go shower so I can continue cheering you up.”