“I can work with that,” she says.
“You don’t have a choice.”
“She’s still my daughter, Cooper,” she nearly spits.
“Yes, well, it’s time you own up to that. I’ll text you with the details later. I have to get back to work.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” I grumble and hang up.
I would scream out into the sky, but I’m sure Naomi would hear it. I’m scared, and I’m man enough to admit it because our lives are going to change. How that will happen remains to be seen, but ever since Rebekah and I were teens, she always made things harder than they needed to be. It wasn’t for lack of love in our house. Rebekah has always had a wild streak that was more bad than good. I think the lines started to blur with her the more she pushed. My parents were at their wit’s end. They got her help even when they couldn’t afford it. She’s been arrested plenty of times. She’d disappear for weeks, then appear at the front door. So Rebekah showing up without notice isn’t out of character, but Naomi is involved now.
Chapter 23
Cooper
Thehouseisclean.Naomi picked up her room, and then I cleaned it again. The living room is as good as it will ever get.
I’ve done all I can to prepare for Rebekah. I think I’m more nervous than Naomi.
I explained that her mother wanted to come visit her, and she didn’t seem all that put off by it. Then again, I wouldn’t call it excited either. We’ll see how tonight goes and then make decisions from there.
Last night I couldn’t sleep, wondering if I should withdraw the legal papers for Naomi. But the more I thought about it, it doesn’t make sense to. If I did, it would mean Rebekah is firmly back in our lives, and I’m not holding my breath. It would also assume she’s prepared to be a mother, and I’m not confident in that either.
I love my sister, but I also know her. Tonight will show if she’s really changed. For the sake of this family, I hope she has. But I’m doing what’s right for Naomi, even if it’s hard.
“Dad?” Naomi calls.
“Yeah, princess?” I holler from the kitchen.
“Do you know if Mom likes coloring? Or maybe she’ll practice roping with me?” she asks.
Rubbing the back of my neck, I try to hold in my wince. “I don’t know, but you could ask her when she gets here?” I offer.
She nods and sets her coloring book on the dinner table.
“Are you nervous?” she asks, wringing her hands together.
“I think the better question is, are you?” I ask her.
Naomi tilts her head and pouts her lips. “A little.”
“That’s okay because I am too,” I say.
She shifts on her feet, and I can tell she wants to say something else.
“What’s on your mind?”
“Will she take me home with her?” she asks.
I squat down and open my arms. “Come’re.”
Naomi walks into my arms, looping her thin ones around my neck. I kiss her head and hug her tightly.
“No, this is your home. This is where you will stay,” I tell her.
Her shoulders drop, and she nuzzles her nose into my neck.
