My shoulders tensed, but I had one more thing to say before I left. "That’s fine. You taught me that my only worth in life resides in what I can do for others, specifically how I can serve you. Burke taught me I'm lovable as I am. I've found inner strength, as well as physical and mental strength with him." Finn fussed, but I bounced him a little to shush him. "The worst part is, you're both hypocrites for judging me, considering how imperfect you are. Hell, I don't even miss you."
Thomas advanced on me, and Finn cried into my shoulder. "Maybe I should dig into what you and your delinquent husband are up to, huh? I'm sure I can find something worth arresting you over. Then what will you do?"
His vitriol should have stunned me, but it was nothing more than what I expected. Over my baby's cries, I said, "Go ahead, try it. Not that you'd ever make false charges stick, but Finn has amazing godparents."
Turning before they could see the tears I could no longer hold back, I rushed out the door and into the car.
"Are you okay, Mrs. Gallagher?" Billy asked.
I spoke while fastening Finn into his car seat. "No, but I will be. Please, just drive."
The motion of the car and lack of yelling calmed Finn considerably. Watching the scenery as it passed out the window, I knew what I needed. Burke.
Instead, Brenda met me at the door. "It must not have gone well."
All I could do was shake my head. Brenda hugged me, rocking from side to side. Danny came and took Finn out of the car seat, earning a few spit bubbles in the process.
"They're awful. They hate me. They hate my baby."
"Then they're fools," Danny said.
I side-eyed him. "You cut it close, pal."
He shrugged. "I'm sorry for being foolish too. Now that we've spent more time together, I can see you're the same Kinsley, just more mature and outspoken."
I smiled at him, thankful for the respite from judgment. "You're forgiven. Will you keep Finn for a few minutes while I call Burke?"
"Sure."
Closing myself in my bedroom, I pulled out my phone and dialed.
"Hello?"
"I didn't expect you to pick up immediately."
"Would you believe me if I said I've been hoping you'd call?"
Sitting in the armchair nearest the window, I replied, "I doubt your life stopped moving because of it."
"No, not really, but my phone was sitting right next to me. How did it go with your parents?"
"Horrible."
"I'm sorry."
I'd heard so many apologies from him lately; at least it wasn't his fault this time. "All I want is for you to hold me."
"I wish I could make that happen." He sighed. "Logan reached out to Anna, but she isn't as stupid as we were counting on."
"She didn't agree to see him?"
"Hasn't even called him back."
"Well, hell." Pulling my legs up underneath me, I stared out at the cloudy sky. "Do you have an alternate plan?"
"He'll beg her if necessary."
"Hm. I guess we'll have to wait and see if it works. And you won't let me come back until you've taken care of her and the rest?"
