finish discussing things.”
“She sounds like a very disturbed woman.”
“To say the least. She’d met a guy, she said, and he didn’t want kids.”
“Never mind that she already had one?”
Any time Corbin thought of that day, he found it difficult to breathe. “I asked her if it was forever, or if she’d be back soon, just disrupting his life more. She laughed, Ivey. I was so afraid Justin would hear her that I let it go.”
“I think my heart is breaking.”
Exactly how he had felt. How he still felt several times a day. “That first week was awkward as hell. I realized I needed documents, but I waited until Justin had gone to bed one night before I called her. She said she’d mail everything to me.”
“Did she?”
“Yes. Birth certificate, his last report card, a few things like that.” He worked his jaw. “I got worried, contacted a lawyer and now I have sole legal and physical custody, too.”
Surprise flashed over Ivey’s face. “She signed off on that?”
“It all happened in a whirlwind, so I doubt Justin knows. It doesn’t seem fair to put that on him, too. The thing is, if Darcie wanted to see him, I wouldn’t cut her out. But never, not under any circumstances, will I let her take him away from me. Not now.”
When her small, soft hand rested on his chest, Corbin went still. She stared up at him with understanding, and intent. Eyes that had looked bright green in the sunshine now appeared hazel in the dimmer indoor light.
He covered her hand with his.
“I’m sorry for all of that,” she said, “I really am. You know he’s a terrific kid.”
“Yes, though I don’t know how that happened.”
“Does he talk about his life before you?”
“Little tidbits here and there. Like random things will pop up out of nowhere. We got fast food one day, and he told me that one of his mom’s boyfriends liked the same place and would usually bring him a burger from there. Or when he accidentally closed his fingers in the door, and he refused to cry or even say much. I told him I’d be shouting and he said big boys didn’t do that.” Frustration flexed his jaw. “I asked him about friends, but he just shrugged and said most of the kids in his building were older. He said his mom liked to sleep late, so he watched a lot of TV.”
Her hand patted his left pec. “But Halloween? Friday the 13th?”
A little lost, Corbin shook his head. “Halloween mask and hockey mask, right? Full disclosure, I’ve never watched them, but of course I know about them.” When she winced, he asked, “They’re extra bad or something?”
“Oh, Corbin. You should really watch one.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “They’re equal parts sex with horror.”
“Sex?” Ah, hell.
“A lot of, ahem, female nudity. Well...” She gestured at her breasts. “Mostly T&A, as they say in the movies.”
For the moment, the ramifications eluded him. “T&A, huh?” Tits and ass. It amused him how Ivey said it.
Tilting closer still, she breathed, “Graphic sex.”
Good God. Moving past her, he opened the door enough to peek out at Justin. On his back, with Daisy on his chest and the puppies climbing over him, he looked like the average, carefree, fun-loving kid.
Closing the door again and leaning against it, he groaned. “How do I start censoring something he loves? Something he’s been allowed to watch?”
“You’re his father. You can make those decisions that are best for him.”
She made it sound so easy, when he knew it wasn’t.
Sympathy eased her frown. “Listen, I grew up on horror movies. Like Justin, they’re my favorites. I have an attic full of old toys, comic books, posters, you name it. My mother was very lenient, but she drew the line at all things sexual.”
“No T&A?”
She gave an airy wave of her hand. “I sneaked around it, as all kids do. But if she’d known, I’d have been grounded for a week. If it helps, I can make recommendations on horror that doesn’t include nudity. Predator and Alien are both terrific franchises. Army of Darkness is more campy fun than anything else, but it sounds like Justin’s already watched it. Goonies or Silver Bullet would be more age appropriate for him. Do the whole Jaws series. Sharks are always good for a startle. Oh, and Gremlins! Total kid movie.”
While Corbin listened in awe, Ivey concentrated. “I know! The Godzilla movies. Those would be good, too.” She heaved a sigh.