“What happens if the worst does happen?” I swallow around the lump in my throat. I don’t even want to entertain the idea, but I have to.
“Then we appeal,” Sutton tells me. “We are not going to go down without a fight.”
“Exactly,” John agrees. I’m not looking at him. I’m looking at the woman who has been by my side through the worst of it.
I really don’t know how I got so lucky.
“Do you think the judge will make a decision tomorrow?” I don’t know if I could wait weeks on end for a decision to be made.
“I believe he will. You can take comfort in that.”
“Good.”
“Derek.” John straightens in his seat. “I’m on your side. I will do everything in my power to argue your case. You’re a good father to Troy. Anyone can see that. I’ve submitted your character reference letters to the court and those will help. I know it’s hard to hear, but get a good night’s sleep and I’ll see you at eight tomorrow morning.”
John stands and I follow suit. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for us.”
“It’s what I’m here for.” John extends his hand and I shake it.
“I’ll walk you out.” Sutton shows him out, but not before I hear whispers exchanged.
I was hoping this meeting with John would help ease my fears, but all it’s done is ratchet them up. I’m back to playing out worst-case scenarios. What if I lose Troy altogether? What if something happens and I have to give Missy partial custody of my son every other weekend and on all the holidays?
Shouldn’t a police report that she left him in a hot car be enough to put this case to bed? John told me we had to let everything play out. That Missy still had rights as a parent.
Easy for him to say. It’s not his kid’s future hanging in the balance.
Waiting fucking sucks.
“Hey.” Sutton’s fingers rub over the back of my neck. “I’m not even going to ask if you're okay because I know you’ll just lie to me.”
I give her a fake smile. “Well, that’s good because I don’t even have the energy to lie to you.”
“You do know I can tell if you’re lying to me anyway, right?”
“You’re a mom. It’s your superpower to be able to tell.”
“Tell me how you’re feeling.”
Sutton isn’t a good liar either. I can see she’s just as worried as I am. Because she loves my son.
“Worried. Sick. Panicked. Scared. You name it, I’m feeling it. Because what if Missy actually gets partial custody of Troy?”
“It’s not going to happen.”
“But what if it does?”
“Then we’ll deal with it as it comes. What is it your dad keeps telling us? Don’t borrow trouble from tomorrow?”
I can’t help but roll my eyes at her. “Yeah, yeah.”
“Hey.” Sutton pokes me in the side before giving me a hug. “It’s good advice.”
“Fine.” I blow out a breath. “I’ll try to stop worrying.”
“All we can do is have a good night with the kids and then get through tomorrow morning.”
“Then how about some Thai for dinner? There is no way I’m cooking tonight.”
