Anything that went against the trend seemed fake.
Yet as she stood in the cramped bedroom she shared with her mother, staring at her sparkling reflection in the mirror, she had the tiniest hope things might be turning around.
The week prior brought the custody and child support hearing with Roy.It was done virtually and far less formally than she’d expected.Roy came prepared, flanked by a stern-looking attorney, and Annie attended by herself.
Well, sort of by herself.The judge was on her side immediately, chastising Roy for his “transparent attempt to decrease child support obligations.”
“You must think,” she had said, “I’m just a dumb country judge who hasn’t seen this play a hundred times before.”
Miles had been right about all of it.Roy’s laughable attempt at full custody was called out for what it was – a ploy -- and the judge took no mercy on him.
She set a formal child support payment more than five times what Annie had asked for.She denied full custody but did implement a formal custody agreement with gradually increasing visits – one weekend a month, then two weekends a month if it went well.Roy would also be responsible for paying all costs associated with the ferry since he was the one who had chosen to move off the island.
In less than half an hour, it was over.Annie had shut her laptop and stared at the wall for a full five minutes, wading through her thoughts and riding the waves of emotions.
At first, she felt bad for Roy.She hadn’t wanted it to go that way.The amount he had to pay felt shocking.Truly shocking.
It had all started because she was afraid of overdrawing her bank account every month, and after sitting with the judge’s words in her head, the feeling of guilt receded.
It was plainly obvious, even to a stranger, what Roy was up to.The judge had called his behavior “borderline abandonment.”
It wasn’t in Annie’s head.It wasn’t an exaggeration.And it wasn’t her fault.
After the hearing, she threw herself into the whirlwind of last minute preparations for the fundraiser.It came together beautifully, likely because of Margie.She was not just an expert at throwing events, but a darling who could get anything from anyone just by flashing a smile.
The auction for the fundraiser had everything: a sunset sailing cruise with a dinner by a private chef, rock climbing lessons, a year’s supply of fresh oysters, a helicopter ride for a weekend getaway on a private estate, an oil painting of Friday Harbor, a handmade wooden canoe – it was incredible, and the support from the community was unmatched.
The guest list was packed, a local band volunteered their services in exchange for dinner, and Annie had a babysitter and this beautiful gown.
She stared at her reflection, the sequined flowers catching in the light, the fabric clinging to her curves, and her hair falling around her shoulders in loose waves.
Annie took a deep breath.For the first time in what felt like years, she felt pretty.
Could things really be turning around for her?Was there any chance that Miles would take notice of her?In this gown, with this makeup, without yogurt in her hair, might heseeher?
He would be there in a tuxedo, apparently, as the firemen had made a point to rent them for the event.They didn’t know this, but they were to be honored at the end of the night.It was Margie’s idea.They’d surely be in high demand all night, but maybe Annie could ask Miles for a dance, if she were so bold.
It was easy enough to pass off as something a friend would do.As far as she knew, he wasn’t bringing a date, either.
Although a few weeks prior, right around Valentine’s Day, she’d seen Miles out with a woman.She was quite pretty, casually sitting and laughing with Miles and Bella over breakfast.
Annie had caught a glimpse of them as she passed by, carting the twins off to swim lessons, when she had seen them.He’d never mentioned anyone, though, and never said he had a Valentine.
In fact, he’d gotten Annie a box of chocolates, local and exquisite – not that she had any illusions that she was his Valentine.
He never talked about the woman, and neither did Bella.It could’ve been an aunt, or a cousin.Annie couldn’t stop thinking about it, but it seemed like nothing out of the ordinary for the two of them, so…
Annie wasn’t going to let herself be defeated by her own thoughts.Not today.She was going to shed her sad persona and go to this fundraiser disguised as a pretty woman.She was going to see Miles there.She was going to talk to him, and maybe even dance with him.
She slipped on a pair of heels and headed out the door.
Miles had offered to give her a ride, but Annie wanted to get there early to help Margie with any last-minute issues.
Of course, there was nothing for her to do.She pulled up to Saltwater Cove and parked her car.Margie’s husband Hank was there welcoming early arrivers and vendors.
“Looking snazzy,” he said with a nod.
It was rare to see him out of his sheriff uniform.Even when Annie saw him at home wearing a t-shirt, he looked authoritative.“You too, Hank.”
