Page 78 of Full Throttle

For the first time, she met my eyes, no hatred blazing from them. She looked resigned. Weary.

“And you should. Regardless of how awful we were, you were always a good dad. I remembered how good you were when I saw your text to Josh telling him to be nicer to me because I looked tired. I had yelled at you, yet you were kind.”

I sat back in amazement.

She cleared her throat. “There is something else. I’m sick.”

“Sick?”

“I have cancer. I start chemo next week. There may be times I need, ah, help.”

“What about John?”

She rolled her eyes. “He walked. He said he didn’t need a sick woman and a pesky teenager. So, it’s just Josh and me.”

“I’m sorry,” I said sincerely. “Whatever I can do to help, let me know. We can take him or come help. Whatever you need.”

“You mean that,” she said incredulously. “After everything, you mean that.”

“You’re his mother. He needs you.”

“Thank you.” She turned to the judge and Halton, who was watching her with narrowed eyes. “Give me whatever paperwork you need me to sign. I won’t fight it. I fired my lawyer, and I just want to make sure Josh is okay.”

“I can draw up the papers,” Halton said.

“I want it clear that if anything happens to me, Dom gets full custody.”

“I’ll make sure of it. I can recommend a decent lawyer for you as well.”

“I don’t think I need one. I’m done fighting this. I have something bigger to take on.”

I met her eyes. I no longer saw the bitter, angry woman who took away my son. I saw the scared, lonely person who was facing the biggest battle of her life. Who needed to be okay so my son would be all right.

“And we’ll be there to help you.”

Friday afternoon, I was getting ready to pick up Josh. I walked out of the garage, frowning when I saw Cherry, Charly, and Gabby loading up the trunk and back seat.

“What are you doing?”

Cherry smiled at me. “We were cooking for Roxanne. We made a bunch of easy meals for her and Josh. Individual ones, so if she isn’t hungry, Josh can heat up his own dinner. And we did some shopping, so she doesn’t have to worry about that.”

I marveled at the giving hearts of these women. As soon as I told them about Roxanne being ill, they had gone into helpful mode. Planning things for Josh. And, apparently, Roxanne.

I pulled Cherry close and kissed her brow. “Thanks, Cherry G.”

“I’m coming with you.”

“Okay.”

We were quiet on the drive, and when we arrived, Roxanne was shocked as we walked in, carrying the meals and groceries. She was speechless, but when I brought in the second armful, she was talking to Cherry, the two women once at such odds, finding common ground—Josh’s welfare.

When we left, it was the first time I didn’t feel her anger. Josh was curious. “So, you’re not fighting with Mom anymore?”

I knew she hadn’t told him yet. She wanted to have all the information before she shared.

“Your mom and I came to an understanding.”

He looked pleased. “Good. So, I get all of you? I can like everyone, and no one is going to be upset?”