And, damn it, I used Harper’s name. If this guy wants to figure out who I am, he very easily can. Let’s hope he realizes I’m way too much drama and doesn’t bother.
HandsyGuy37:Don’t edit yourself on my account. You have every right to be angry. Can you meet with him before you decide if you’re going to let him see your daughter?
DogPerson158:That’s a good idea. Think I can hold him off that way until she’s eighteen? I could keep making him jump through more and more hoops until she’s a grown-up.
HandsyGuy37:I think you can do whatever you want. The very fact that you were even considering getting back with this guy for your daughter proves you have only her best interests at heart. Trust your gut.
HandsyGuy37:And if you need him scared out of town, let me know. I know a few people who can be very scary when they want to be.
I laugh, the tension I’ve been holding onto since I got Bryson’s call easing somewhat.
DogPerson158:That’s good to know.
HandsyGuy37:Not to pry, but do you have to worry about this guy taking legal action to get what he wants?
There’s no harm in revealing that detail, right? I don’t want HandsyGuy to worry.
DogPerson158:He gave up his parental rights when she was born. But enough about me, how are you doing?
HandsGuy37:I’m actually in the middle of something. Can I message you later?
The fact that he stopped whatever he was doing to answer me so quickly, gives me major warm fuzzies. This guy is going to make some woman very happy someday.
DogPerson158:No problem. I should probably call my ex back. I need to get this conversation over with.
But I don’t call Bryson right away. I pace and peek in on Harper, who’s sleeping so soundly she’s kicked off all her covers. I pull them back over her because it’s a chilly night, even with the heat on.
Then, I search the fridge for something with sugar, because I deserve a treat for even contemplating calling my ex.
Nothing. Whoever’s week it is to buy me a sugary treat for my hour of need has fallen down on the job.
Too bad that person is me.
With nothing left to help me procrastinate, I take the phone to the front porch, just in case Harper wakes up and overhears me talking on the phone and is somehow able to intuit that I’m talking to her father.
Whatever. It makes me feel better to be sure she can’t overhear anything.
Bryson answers on the first ring like he’s been waiting for my call.
“Melly. Thanks for calling me back. Is Harper asleep?”
I sigh. I hate this so much. “You don’t need to know anything about Harper, Bryson. You don’t get to just pop back into her life like you didn’t abandon us four years ago.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I have so much to make up for, and I’m going to do it. I’ve figured out how much back child support I owe, with interest. I can’t pay you back all at once, but I’ve sent a payment for the first year to your parents. They still have the same PO box, right?”
“I’m going to call you back,” I say.
I don’t give him a chance to answer before I hang up and call my parents.
“Hey, baby, I was just about to call you. We ran down to the post office after work and picked up our mail. There’s something here for you.”
“I think it might be a check. Can I stop over and pick it up—”
“It is a check, honey, and it’s for a lot of money. It’s from Bryson. Have you talked to him? What does he want?”
There’s no point in telling my mother she shouldn’t have opened my mail. She’s my mom. She’s nosy, and she loves me. Of course she’s going to open it. “He called me today. He’s moving back to Catalpa Creek soon, and he wants to see Harper. This is his way of making up for everything, I guess.”
“It’s a lot of money, honey. Enough to probably cover your first year of vet school if you don’t get that scholarship.”
