Stripped - By Brenda Rothert Page 0,71
this entire household. You’ve brought smoking, drugs and even a child molester into my home against my wishes. But this time …” Abby’s voice quavered with emotion as she pointed at her mother. “This time, you’ve gone too far. Stealing from Audrey and Sara? They’re terrified that some intruder is going to come here tonight! I didn’t have the heart to tell them not to worry about it because you were the one who stole the Playstation.”
“Fine, yes, it was me! I needed some money, and you weren’t here,” Kathy said. “I’ll buy them another one.”
“No,” Abby shook her head sadly. “This is it. You have a week.”
“Fine, I’ll go! You’re such a selfish bitch that it won’t bother you to have all the money you could ever want while your own mother scrapes by on government assistance.”
“It won’t bother me,” Abby said dispassionately. “I didn’t bust my ass for that money so you could spend it on drugs. You need help.”
“Tell the movers they’ll be taking Audrey and Sara’s things, too,” Kathy said, watching for Abby’s reaction.
“I already thought of that, Mom,” she said. “I’m calling an attorney tomorrow to have custody paperwork drawn up. I want you to give me custody of the girls.”
Kathy’s face curled into a sneer and Abby held up a hand to keep her from responding.
“I’ll give you $1,000 to leave them when you go and another $5,000 after the paperwork is signed.”
“You think I’ll just give them to you for a little money?” Kathy scoffed. “It’ll cost you a lot more than that, Abby.”
“That’s my only offer. Take the girls to spite me if you want, but you won’t get any money. I survived you; they will, too.”
“You think you’re so high and mighty with your rich doctor boyfriend?” Kathy spat bitterly. “You’re still trash, Abby.”
“You need help, but whether you get it or not, I don’t want anything to do with you.”
“What if I’m sick?” Kathy asked, looking a little scared. “There won’t be anyone to help me.”
“I can’t do it anymore, Mom,” Abby said, her voice choked with emotion. “You can’t treat someone the way you’ve treated me and expect them to be there for you.”
“You took Audrey and Sara’s father away from them, and now you’re taking their mother away, too.”
“You did this,” Abby said, walking away.
She closed her bedroom door and pressed her back to it, finally letting the tears flow. It had been terrifying and exhilarating to finally stand up to her mother. She glanced at her phone, smiling when she saw that Chris had written her back.
Miss you, too. Wish you were at home in bed waiting for me. xo
Abby was exhausted as she climbed into her own bed. She exhaled deeply, heartened at the idea of a life without her mother in it. And for the first time, she didn’t feel guilty about it.
As soon as Abby walked in the front door to Chris’ apartment, he swept her into an embrace, kissing her deeply.
“You look good,” he said.
“So do you. It’s been so hard to get time alone together. How long has it been?”
“Eight days. Let’s go make up for lost time and eat later.”
“Can we take Molly for a walk first?” she asked, pulling away suddenly. He gave her a puzzled look.
“Now?” he asked.
“Yes, if it’s okay. I do want to make up for lost time – later.”
“Okay.” His disappointment was evident as he found Molly’s leash and put it on her.
Abby reached for Chris’ hand as they made their way down the sidewalk in front of his apartment. It was a typical winter day in Chicago, and she wrapped her scarf around her neck to block out the chill as they walked.
Molly tired quickly, her tongue drooping as she slowed.
“We’d better turn around,” Chris said.
“Just a little further.”
“What’s with your enthusiasm for walking?”
She grinned at him as they continued.
“I have a surprise for you,” she said, stopping in front of a row of brick townhouses.
“What?”
“I’m moving into this building with Audrey and Sara.”
“Abby! Really?”
“Yes. We’ll be neighbors, sort of. We can have dinners together before you have to go to work.”
“That’s great … wait, did you say you and Audrey and Sara?” He looked at her hopefully.
“Yes. Justin’s getting an apartment near his school and my Mom moved into her own apartment yesterday.”
Chris looked at her with amazement.
“Just like that?”
“No. I forced the issue.”
“Oh, Abby. I hope I didn’t make you do something you didn’t want to do.”
“I did it for me, and for