God’s gift to the star of life and should’ve been fired years ago. He almost let an elderly dementia patient leave against medical advice without determining adequate mental capacity until I saved his ass. And Mitch. I just told him the story and he covered the only day he was able.
Cass opens the door, her lips pulled down. “Ford.”
“Can I come in?”
She steps aside and I enter. Jayden runs to me and I scoop him up. I could hold him forever, but I have to talk to his mom.
“I’m moving to Melville.” Might as well get to the point.
She blinks, then crosses to the high-back seat in the dining room that’s right off the entrance. Gesturing to another chair, she crosses her long, tanned legs. This woman used to drive me crazy in all the best ways. Now it’s hard to tolerate being in the same room.
“I’m moving,” I repeat after setting Jayden down with a tower of Duplos.
“What about your mother? And your job?” It’s not lost on me that Lia asked the same thing. “And Lia?”
“Jayden’s my main concern.”
She scrutinizes me and I see something I don’t like. A spark of hope. “Did you and Lia break up?”
It’s my turn to study her. Was this part of her plan? Her ultimatum three years ago backfired, but she stuck around. Then she issued another one, couched in concern for our son. And that backfired. But now she’s moving. And here I go, running after her, like she’s always wanted.
“Lia’s staying here,” is all I say. “My concern is my son. I’m going to be a part of his life.”
Cass leans closer, a small but noticeable move. “You’re actually leaving Sunnyville.”
There it is again. Hope, mingled with a just a little morbid glee.
For your information, I made sure Samuel understands we’re through and we’ll always be through.
I gave Lia some advice once and she followed through. I need to do the same.
“We’re over, Cass. If there was ever any chance of reconciliation, you trashed it. Then you trashed it again. My respect for you only goes as far as you being the mother of my son and that’s where it will stay.”
She draws back, her hand going to her chest as if my words physically hurt.
I don’t let up. “I’m moving. For him. I’m pursuing joint custody for him. Whatever there was between us has long since died.”
Emotions play across her face. Shock. Anger. Hurt. Disbelief. Resolve. “Doesn’t feel good, does it?”
“What?” I ask even though I don’t want to hear whatever it is.
Each word’s an arrow that punctures the target with cruel precision. “Losing the one you love because they’re too stubborn to leave this goddamn town.”
Lia
When I arrive at work on Tuesday, I don’t see Ford right away. I spent days dreading seeing him again, yet it was the one thing that sustained me through the hours until now. The thought that maybe he worked out a solution where we could stay together and he could see his boy.
But my phone remained silent.
Both of my parents heard the story over breakfast before Dad and I left San Francisco. Dad drove me back Sunday. We talked the whole way. He surprised me with all his questions about my work and when the best time to visit is. Then he had coffee with Mrs. Rosenthal while I collapsed in an exhausted heap in my bed.
Then Dad was gone and I started my life again as a single woman with no friends in town. I made the same mistake again. The only people I know are through work, and through Ford.
Why can’t I learn?
I won’t have to worry about that changing. He’ll be gone in less than two weeks and I’ll be starting my new course. Maybe I’ll meet some friends there.
Still no Ford, but Russel Hayes is lingering around the rig I’m assigned.
Shit. Did he switch with Russel? I don’t want to be on the douche crew.
Russel lifts his chin when he sees me. “You’re with me today, rookie.”
Is he serious? “Not a rookie,” I call as I go to the locker room to unload my change of clothes.
Back out in the bay, we get updated, and no matter how much I fantasize about it lasting an hour or two, it only takes minutes. Soon, Russel and I are on duty.
“You’re driving, rookie.”
I roll my eyes and do as he says. When I’m a paramedic, I’m going to use him as an example to my trainees of how not to