Addy nodded sagely, then crinkled her nose.“What’s a plan B?”
“Another option.An alternative to what you’re planning.Because plans don’t always work out the way we want them to, so it’s good to be prepared.Just in case.”
She hummed in agreement and settled into the cushion.Vance didn’t sit down; instead, he turned to me.“I’m going to talk to your mom for a minute, okay?We’ll be right back.”
A chorus of “okays” followed, and before I knew it, Vance had led me to the girls’ bedroom with a hand on my elbow.He shut the door, then stood in front of it as if to block any escape attempts.
He faced me with a frown on his face.“I didn’t say anything yesterday because you had a big day.But this apartment is unacceptable.You can’t possibly stay here.”
I copied his stance, my body burning up in anger.Thankfully, my arms were crossed, so he couldn’t see my hands shaking.“Excuse me if it’s not up to your standard.You didn’t have to come here.As a matter of fact, whyareyou here?”
“It’s not up to anyone’s standard.”
I squeaked in outrage.“I think it’s better if you left.”
He narrowed his eyes at me.“I’m not leaving.”
I wouldn’t be able to move him if he didn’t want to.He was twice my size.I’d have to change my strategy before I caused bodily harm to myself when I tried to kick him, which was bound to happen if he continued telling me things I already knew and didn’t need him to point out.“This is none of your business.You’ve overstepped.”
He ignored me and continued with the pissing me off portion of the evening.“This apartment isn’t suitable for you and the kids.”
I never understood the saying “my blood is boiling” until now.But that was exactly what I felt at the moment.“Do you honestly think I chose to live here?I know it’s a dump, but it’s the only thing I could afford.”My voice wavered, but I forged on.“Do you honestly think Iwantmy girls to live here?”
By the end, I’d run out of steam, the telltale prickle of tears stinging my eyes.
“Mae.”Just the one word.But said in his raspy voice and with more feeling than anything else he’d ever said to me.
I was so sick of feeling helpless.
“I thought you were doing okay when you didn’t want any money in the divorce settlement.That you must have savings.But this changes everything.You need your husband to pay child support.”
A jolt went through me, icy fear gripping my veins.Clutching onto Vance’s T-shirt, I leaned back.“Don’t do anything to jeopardize the divorce.I’ll make it work.This is only temporary.I’m working on becoming a paralegal.Things will be better once I’m qualified.”I took in a halting breath, my lungs refusing to fill up.“I’ve told you before not to change anything.”
“And you’ll be qualified when?In two years?Three?How are you going to manage until then?You’re barely making it as it is.”
A fist closed around my heart, squeezing tightly.“We’re fine.”
“You’re not fine.”
“How would you know?You barely know me.”
“You irritating, stubborn woman.If you won’t do it for yourself, then do it for your girls.Do you want them to grow up in this dump?”
I dropped my grip on his shirt like he was on fire.“How dare you insinuate that they’re better off without me.”
Vance grimaced as if he was in pain.“That’s not what I meant at all.I only said you could—”
I pushed past him and opened the door.“It’s time for you to leave.”
“Mae, that’s not what I meant.”
I pointed to the hallway.“It doesn’t matter.”
“You have the power to change your circumstances.Why won’t you?”
I took in his furrowed brow.He just couldn’t wrap his head around this.But he didn’t have to.Because he was my lawyer.And wasn’t he supposed to do what his client wanted?“Don’t do anything to jeopardize the custody agreement.”
He huffed out a breath and lowered his head.“If that’s what you want.”
