out of our lives so easily and that’s my fault. Every time she’s asked for something, I’ve given her what she wants, because I want to make her happy. Now though, I’m wondering if she pushed me to see how far she could.
Instead of being a supportive husband, in essence I left her alone to deal with some of the hardest times we’ve ever faced as a couple.
That thought is sobering. Especially as I sit here outside this school, unsure of what to do for my son.
Just go in and get him. You can figure the rest out later.
I almost hear her voice telling me to get off my damn ass and make a move. My mouth tilts in the faintest hint of a grin. What I wouldn’t do to hear her smart mouth right now.
Getting out, I hunch down into my jacket. The weather has taken a turn today. What started out as nearly warm has turned blustery, with pieces of snow spitting out of the sky. I don’t even know if I sent Walker with a jacket. What a fucking couple of parents we are.
I’m familiar with the office, so I go there, waiting for someone to notice me. The secretary who does has her face shielded from me when she asks if she can help.
“I’m Walker Barnett’s father. He’s sick and I’m here to pick him up.”
Her head jerks up, her eyes wide. And I understand why when recognition hits me. She’s a dancer at Wet Wanda’s. I’ve walked her to her car numerous times when I’ve been working protection there. I can literally see the thud of her heartbeat on the side of her neck.
“I’ll get the nurse to bring him up.” The words are clipped and she turns her gaze back down to her desk.
There’s a don’t ask, don’t tell policy at Wet Wanda’s. We don’t ask about their lives outside of there, and they don’t tell us. There’s a part of me that wants to tell her, her secret is safe, but it feels inappropriate.
Just as I’m thinking too much about it, the door opens and in walks my son.
“Dad.”
He slowly walks over to me, hugging me tightly around the waist. At almost eleven, he had stopped doing this for the most part, but since things have gotten worse with Mandy, he’s become very clingy.
“Hey, how you feeling?” I run my hand along his forehead. It’s hot as hell.
“He’s got a fever. I would suggest you take him to the doctor. There’s a lot of things going around this time of the year.”
Glancing up at the nurse, I nod. “I’d rather be on the safe side.”
“Exactly.”
It’s a process to get him checked out for the day and to go ahead and get his homework for the next two. He has to be fever free for twenty-four hours before they’ll let him come back, but more than anything, I think Walker needs to stay with me. Getting him better is my top priority, and I more than anyone, know what he’s been through. It’s enough to make us all rundown and susceptible. By the time we’ve made it out to the truck, I’m already exhausted.
My eyes travel to the clock on the dashboard. It’s a little after two, and I haven’t even called the doctor’s office yet.
“Walker, do you know where Mom keeps the important numbers?”
“At home, under the cabinet so I can reach them if I need them,” he says before coughing roughly into his hand.
There’s no way we’ll be able to make it out to our house and back into town before the doctor’s office closes. Instead I suck up my pride and call the person who’s never fully on my side of things when it comes to me and Mandy.
“Law office of Charity Walker. Can I help you?”
“Tate, it’s Dalton. I don’t know if you or Charity could help me, but Walker’s sick and I need to get him to the doctor.”
“Let me guess,” she sighs. “You don’t know who the doctor is.”
It sounds so shitty coming from her, especially since she’s so much younger. But those women, they are thick as fuckin’ thieves and it’s hard to break into their clique. I’m sure Mandy’s told them everything about me at some time or another, which is why I get looks of irritation from the female side of the family when we’re all together.
That’s fine though, I bitch about Mandy to her brother. It’s what we do.
“You’re absolutely right. I don’t know