I liked to think that deep down, she was a decent person. A messed-up person—but decent. Maybe that was naivety rearing its delusional head again.
I rubbed the spot between my eyes, feeling a headache brewing. “What’s up, Jos? I have to be at work in a few hours, and Katie will be waking up soon.”
“How is our Katie Bug?” she asked in that same strange whispery tone. Was she in the room with someone and didn’t want to be overheard? It was hard to tell with Josie anymore. At one time, I thought I knew her. We were together for years, even if it was years longer than we probably should have been.
“She’s the same wonderful kid she’s always been,” I answered tersely, annoyed how she could still lay claim to the girl she’s had no part in raising.
“Maybe I could talk to her?” The question seemed forced. As if she knew she should ask, not that she wanted to.
“She’s still asleep like I said.” I tried to remain patient, but mostly I wanted her to get to the point of the early morning wake up call. “What do you need?”
She cleared her throat. “I need you to send me some paperwork I left behind.”
I sighed. “And you couldn’t wait for when the sun was up to ask? Or even send a text? This has to be done now?” I was done hiding my irritation. Josie Robinson gave selfish a whole new name.
“I have an interview this week for a job, and I need my birth certificate. It should be in the fire safe in your office—”
“A job? So, I guess you’re staying in Florida then?” I cut her off sharply. She had been staying with her mother for over a year. It was meant to be a temporary thing even as one month turned to two then to three. But she always maintained that she’d come back for Katie. That she’d get herself together and be the mother our girl deserved.
“Yes, for now. I thought we talked about that. It’s not like there’s anything left for me in Southport, Web.” I knew she was referring to me and our relationship. She took our breakup hard and had a difficult time accepting that I wouldn’t make a family with her simply because we had a child together.
Her flippant words pissed me off.
“Except for your daughter,” I snapped.
“That’s not what I meant—”
“Yeah, it’s never what you meant,” I muttered.
There was a gaping silence as all the bitter resentment between us vibrated like a taut string.
“Can you send it or not? I guess I can call the state office if I need to—”
“I’ll send it. Can I just scan it and email it, or do you need the hard copy?” I wanted to get off the phone. Talking to Josie depressed me. It made me angry and sad for Katie. It made me hate the woman I thought I sort of loved. And that wasn’t fair to either Katie or me.
“Scanned would be great for now, but I will need the hard copy. Let me give you my address—”
“I have your mom’s address,” I interjected.
More silence.
“I’ve gotten my own place. It’s nice, Web. Two bedrooms too. There’s a great park down the road …” her words tapered off.
“Why does that matter? Why do I care if there’s a playground down the road? Katie’s here, Josie. Not in fucking Florida.” I felt myself getting angry, despite my vow to remain calm when dealing with my ex.
“You don’t have to be like that, Web. You know I’ve struggled. Things have been hard. I’m trying here—”
“And it’s not good enough, Josie. You think I haven’t struggled? Do you think it hasn’t been hard for me? Jesus, you’re so damn selfish.” I ran a hand through my hair.
“We need to talk about some things. We really do. I—” I could hear shuffling around and knew her attention was waning. “Look, I have to go. Please email me the scan of my birth certificate, and I’ll text you my new address so you can put it in the mail. Thanks, Web. And let’s make time to talk through some things soon.”
Before I could say anything, she hung up.
I flung my phone down on the pillow. My entire body vibrated with barely contained rage, which was how I usually felt after talking to Josie. Well, I was up now, might as well get in the shower and get dressed. With all this extra time, I could make Katie