“Take your stupid bottle of booze and get out, Stephen. Please. And give your key back and call next time you want to see the girls, okay?” she pleaded.
Tim shoved the garden gloves he had been holding into his back pocket. When he held his massive hand out with his palm up, Stephen furrowed his brow.
“Give me the key, man,” he warned, his voice even and tempered.
Stephen eyed Tim’s palm before he boldly tipped back the crystal glass of bourbon and finished it off in one gulp. “Those little girls have my blood running through their veins, mister. They are my daughters, and I can come here anytime I want to see them…”
“Oh, come on Stephen. You know that’s not true. You havevisitationnow. And who are you kidding? You’re not here to see them. You’re more concerned about getting back your precious bottle of Poppa-van-whatever! You havenevertaken time out of your busy schedule to spend with your daughters.”
“Maybe I miss them darlin’.” Stephen blatantly walked by Tim, purposely bumping into his arm in the process. “Maybe I miss you too, Jessie.” His voice was laced with sarcasm.
The look of horror on Jessica’s face was evident, and her chest swelled as she inhaled slowly. “Get out of my house, Stephen, before I call the cops.”
Stephen threw his head back and laughed. “My goodness! You’re so serious now. All those years begging me to spend time with you and our girls. Now here I am, and you want me to leave.” He clucked his tongue and shook his head.
“You heard the lady. She wants you to go. Give me your key.” Tim stood tall, positioning himself between Jessica and her ex and held his hand out again. “Now.” His muscles strained against his t-shirt as his presence commanded the room.
Jessica seemed to hold her breath, and Tim watched Stephen smile nervously while he reached into his pants pocket and took out his keys. The room was silent except for the jangling of metal as the Kaufman house key was taken off the ring.
“No harm done here,” Stephen mumbled, confidently placing a single key in Tim’s palm. He strode back around the island, as if to distance himself from Tim, and picked up the expensive bottle of bourbon. His tone turned menacing. “My lawyer will be in touch, Jessica. You can count on that.” He started to leave, but stopped at the door and pointed a finger at Tim. “You don’t scare me. Get back out in the yard where you belong.” The door slammed, making Jessica jump.
Chapter Seven
“Are you okay?” Tim asked as he put both hands on Jessica’s shoulders.
She nodded and stepped into his embrace. He ran his hand down the back of her long hair and finally exhaled. If Stephen Kaufman had touched one hair on her beautiful head, he would have come undone and pummeled the guy.
“Are the girls really upstairs drawing pictures for their dad?”
Jessica shook her head and disengaged from their embrace. She started to clean up the cocktail party Stephen had left behind.
“They were in the playroom when he walked in. They’ve learned over the years to stay quiet when daddy’s home and to stay out of his space. Jo-Jo’s still napping.”
Tim watched her pick up the glass Stephen had used, rinse it out and put it in the dishwasher, turning her nose up as if it held contagious germs.
“It’s so sad how they’re conditioned to be quiet when he’s around. It makes me realize how fortunate I am to have him out of this house so they can be themselves.”
Tim’s heart sank, imagining that kind of obedience from innocent little girls around their own father. He set the house key on the island and slid it toward her.
She eyed it and smiled. “Thank you for being here at the right time. I might have had to follow through and call the cops if you hadn’t shown up. Stephen can’t take ‘no’ for an answer.”
“I’m sorry he upset you. I’m glad I was here too.” They let the moment hang in mid-air as they smiled at one another.
“How was your day today?” she asked as she tucked her hair over her ear. Tim still couldn’t believe she was old enough to be the mother of four little girls.
“It was hot but good. How about you?”
Jessica nodded. “Good, until Stephen showed up.” She eyed the family room and gestured with her head. “Let’s sit for a minute before the girls realize it’s all clear.”
Tim watched as she settled in a single chair, disappointed she wasn’t sitting next to him on the sofa. He knew she was probably still reeling from the first encounter with her ex since their divorce was final and didn’t want to over-think it. An idea came to him.
“You and the girls have any plans for dinner?”
A playful grin played upon her lips. “No. Why?” she asked with interest.
“I know a great place off the beaten path. You like Mexican?”
***
