“He tried to call me and Gabby this afternoon,” DJ told me. “We declined his calls.”
I shrugged. “You’re both old enough to decide who you speak to, but please remember he’s your dad and he loves you. I know he comes at things sideways sometimes, but I think you should give him a chance to sort out his living arrangements with Rachel before you make any big decisions. Kennedy’s going to write and request that she’s not at the house when you visit.” My eyes rested on my daughter’s pretty face. “What she said to you wasn’t okay, Gabs. Nobody has the right to speak to you that way, not even an adult.Especiallynot an adult.”
“I know,” she murmured. “And I know I’m not fat or a bitch.”
“You’re beautiful,” I told her. “But you’re also more than just a pretty face. You’re sweet, smart, and kind. I lucked out whenGod gave me you, and it broke my heart that you were spoken to that way by an adult whose job should have been to protect you.”
“I don’t care what Rachel says,” she assured me. “But I was hurt when Daddy didn’t have my back.”
My heart dropped. “I’m sorry, Gabs. That disappointed me, too.”
“He’s a fucking dick,” DJ muttered.
“Stop saying fucking,” I admonished gently, before adding, “And stop saying dick.”
He let out a snort.
Gabby’s downcast eyes lifted, and she murmured, “I’ve decided that I don’t want to talk to Daddy for a few days. He upset me when he took Rachel's side, so I think I should have some space from him.”
“He might be calling to apologize,” I pointed out.
She gave me a look that conveyed she thought I’d gone and lost my mind. “Doubtful, Mom. He never apologizes because he always thinks he’s right.”
I opened my mouth to defend Evan, the same way I automatically did every time he fucked up, but I stopped myself.
Donovan had made a good point the night before. It was time to stop making excuses for my ex-husband. DJ and Gabby’s feelings about their dad’s behavior were valid, and they were entitled to them. It wasn’t my job to keep defending Evan and smoothing things over between him and his kids. It washisjob to stop screwing up with them.
Life wasn’t always rainbows and unicorns. Protecting my kids when they were younger was the right thing to do, but to keep shielding them from the shittier side of their dad meant they weren’t learning how to deal with him. Plus, while I was running interference, Evan wasn’t learning to communicate with his kids, either.
I gave her fingers a reassuring squeeze. “It’s up to you, Gabby; you’re not a baby anymore. If your dad upset you, then you’ve got every right to deal with it your way.”
DJ’s lips quirked. “Aren’t you gonna try to convince us to give him another chance?”
“I can’t keep defending your dad, Son. He has to take responsibility for his own actions.”
“Hallelujah,” DJ muttered. “Finally, she sees the light.”
I gave him ‘the look’ and advised him, “Don’t get fresh, Son.”
“Sorry,” he said quietly. “It’s just that you’ve always defended him, but he’s never deserved it. After what he did and the way he fucked you over, he doesn’t deserve it. He doesn’t treat any of us right, and I’m kinda over it. I’ve been over it for years. I only go see him so I can be there for Gabs and because you’ve always encouraged it.”
“He’s still your dad,” I stated. “And don’t say fuck.”
“Yeah, heisour dad,” my boy concurred. “But he’s also a narcissistic know-it-all who doesn’t put us first. Not like you do.”
“DJ’s right,” Gabby agreed. “I love Daddy, but sometimes heisa dick.”
“Lord,” I murmured, looking up to the heavens. “Now both of my kids are cussing, and about their father no less. Jesus, save me, I’ve raised two thugs.”
“Mom,” DJ admonished. “Stop being a dork.”
“I like it when you’re a dork,” Gabby told me. “You’re funny.”
I raised an eyebrow at my son. “See? I’m funny when I’m a dork.”
“You’re a dork when you’re a dork,” he muttered. “It’s okay when we’re alone in the house, but don’t do it in public. Don’t want any of my honeys to think I’m from a long line of lunatics.”
“Well, you are.” I leaned to the side and planted a big, sloppy, gooey lip gloss kiss on his cheek.
