don’t we deal with one thing at a time? If he goes to prison, we won’t have to worry about that anyway, will we?”
“No, but his parents may sue for visitation.”
“Let them. We’ll make it difficult on them, given that grandparents aren’t usually granted custody when a biological parent is around,” Mr. Summers answered. “If they do get visitation, we’ll seek supervised visits, given Stuart’s history with you.”
On the ride home, Stacey said, “Jeez, girl, those were two high-powered attorneys with tons of connections. I think your case is a slam-dunk.”
“I won’t believe that until a guilty verdict is read. My daughter’s future is on the line and I can’t afford to rest easy until then.”
“Understood.” She dropped me off and I went inside.
I’d been working from home until the bruising was gone. It was a combination of green and purple now, and wasn’t very attractive. I looked like a moldy grape instead of a purple one. Easton patted my face and gave me healing kisses daily. The pain had subsided, but the discoloration still reminded me of that horrible night.
Dad called and I answered the phone. “Hey!”
“How’d it go?”
“There was a criminal attorney there and they both think it’ll be an easy win.”
“Great news.”
“Yeah, but like I told Stacey, I won’t believe it until it happens.”
“Same here. Hey, I wanted to let you know the Vietnam trip is postponed.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Uh-huh. Tristian and I decided it was best, considering the situation.”
“You mean considering me.”
“You’re right.”
“Dad.” I hated disrupting his work.
“No use arguing. I’m not leaving you alone with your mother for a month while all this is going on. When I mentioned this to Tristian, he was relieved. I think the guy is genuinely worried about you.”
“I imagine he is. He found that bastard squeezing the life out of me, so he has good reason.”
“Which makes it an even better idea for us to stay.”
“Okay, you win. And Daddy? Thank you. For everything.”
“You’re welcome. You’re my munchkin doodle.”
“Jeez, you haven’t called me that in ages.”
“I know. But no matter how old you get, you’ll always be that little girl to me.”
“I’m beginning to understand. Love you, Dad.”
“Love you back.”
Was it even possible to have better parents? I didn’t think so. Mine were the best out there and God had blessed me to the nth degree. One of these days I’d find a way to properly thank them.
Mom dropped off Easton a couple hours later. She was doing car duty for me until I looked human again.
“Hey, peanut,” I called out as Easton ran into the house.
“Mommy. Look!” She held up a drawing she’d made at school.
“Wow! What is it?”
“It’s you, silly.” It was a picture of a huge round thing with large purple circles all over it.
“Oh, my. Well, that’s, um, quite lovely.”
“I love it. It looks just like you, don’t you think?”
Mom bit her knuckles to keep from laughing.
“I, uh, well, yes, it does. Especially here.” I pointed to the area around my eye, or what I thought were my eyes.
“Yup. Can we hang it on the figerator?”
“Sure, we can.” I went to the kitchen and we placed some magnets over the thing. Luckily, no one would know what it was. “So, how was school?”
Her lower lip popped out.
“Hmm, that bad, huh?”
She fiddled with her sleeve. Oh, how this hurt my heart.
“Easton, is that boy causing you trouble again?”
Large, tear-filled eyes met mine. Then her head swiveled from side to side. That was somewhat of a relief since he was no longer in her class.
“Then, what is it, peanut?”
“I told Bonnie I had oonicorns and rainbows in my room and she said I didn’t. Then I pushed her down and got in trouble with Mrs. Leonard.”
My gaze went to Mom’s. This wasn’t like Easton. “Why did you push her down? That wasn’t nice.”
“She wasn’t nice cuz she called me a liar. I’m not a liar, Mommy. I do have rainbows and oonicorns in my room.”
“Yes, you do, but sometimes it’s best to walk away. Bonnie was maybe jealous that she didn’t have rainbows and unicorns. I have an idea. Why don’t you draw Bonnie a picture of your room and tell her you’re sorry tomorrow?”
Her head swung back and forth. “I don’t wanna.”
Mom offered her advice. “Easton, sometimes we do things to be nice and not because we want to.”
“But then she’ll be even meaner when she sees it.”
“You don’t know that,” I told her.
Mom came up with a great idea. “Hey, Easton, maybe you should invite Bonnie over