Her excuses always involved Gabe and work and, later, the kids, but her friends had partners, jobs and kids, too, and they still found time for one another.She saw photos of their frequent outings on Instagram and always felt sad and left out, but what did she expect?If you said no often enough, people stopped asking and moved on without you.
And now here she was, on her own with two little kids and no one other than a kindly neighbor she could call on for support, which was probably exactly what Gabe had hoped to achieve.
She’d started college as a commuter to UCLA but left after two years to play house with Gabriel for a few years before they got married.Since she hadn’t finished college, she had fewer employment options now that she’d be seeking a divorce and full custody of her kids.How in the world would she ever support them?Before Theo arrived, she’d worked as a receptionist for an ophthalmology practice in Beverly Hills, but after Gabe landed his dream job with the design firm, he’d encouraged her to give up her job to stay home with Theo to save money on daycare.
Now she could see how quitting her job had further cemented his total control over her and their finances.Tears slid down her cheeks as she picked through the ruins of a once-promising life that’d been derailed by loss and compounded by bad decisions.She’d trusted the wrong person with her love, faith and security, and now she faced the daunting task of unraveling her life from his and starting over.But how she’d do that with two little ones counting on her for everything was beyond her ability to comprehend on that first morning after near disaster.
Isla thought of it as a near disaster because most of the things Gabriel had destroyed could be replaced.The few special items she’d taken from her parents’ home were still in boxes in the same closet that’d provided sanctuary to her and her children.Those treasures were safe, as were her babies, which was all that truly mattered.She’d figure out the rest one step at a time.
Somehow.
At nine o’clock,Denny pulled up in the silver Toyota Tundra he drove for his work as the owner of a small construction company.He carried coffees for both of them as he met her at the driver’s side of her red Hyundai SUV, which was three months behind on payments and probably about to be repossessed.He helped her load the kids into their car seats while they squealed with delight at the special attention always paid to them by Uncle Denny.
Over time, she and Denny had papered over the earlier cracks in their relationship, but there was still tension between them that usually disappeared when the kids were around.Denny was an amazing, caring, loving uncle to them, and they adored him.
Mrs.Ventura had given her a key and told her to come and go for as long as she needed to.Her kindness had reduced Isla to tears as she’d hugged and thanked the older woman.
“Now, now,” she’d said.“No need to get maudlin over it.”
There was every need in Isla’s mind, as Mrs.V had just given her and the kids a place to stay while she figured out their next move.Although, if Gabriel was released from jail, he’d probably come right back to their building.He was aware that she’d become close with the older woman next door, even if he’d tried to discourage it, calling Mrs.V a nosy old biddy who wanted to know their business.
“Did you sleep at all?”Denny asked as he drove Isla’s SUV to Beverly Hills, toward an attorney and a divorce she couldn’t afford.Her stomach was in knots.Mrs.V had made pancakes for the kids, but Isla had only sipped at coffee.
“Some.”
“After they finish processing the apartment, I’ll help you rescue whatever can be saved.”
“You don’t have time for this.”
“I took the day off.”
“Denny!You can’t afford to do that.”
“How do you expect me to think about anything but you and the kids after what he did?I’ll make up the day on the weekend.Don’t worry about me.”
She would worry about him and the mess she was making of both their lives.They’d already had far more mess than their share.
“Do you know anyone who’s hiring?”
“Not off the top of my head, but I’ll put out some feelers.”
“I texted Georgia about working at the bar.”She’d worked with Georgia at the ophthalmology practice.She’d left to manage the Whisky A Go Go, an iconic Sunset Boulevard bar and music venue.She’d told Isla to hit her up if she ever needed to make real money.Isla had filed that info away.
Stopped at a red light, Denny looked over at her.“How will you work nights with the kids?”
“Mrs.Ventura said she was fine with watching them.They’ll be asleep when I leave.Georgia says I’ll make great money there.”
“And put up with guys hassling you nonstop?”
“It’s fine.It’s easy money at a time of day when I have someone to watch the kids.”
“What does she do if they wake up wanting Mommy?”
“She’ll figure it out.They know her.”
“How well do they know her?”
“Well enough.Stop, will you?I have to dosomething.”
