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Jackie Anne
Can we all just agree to be nice to Cain this weekend?
Comments:
Kerry Winsor: Oh no. Is it time?
Jackie Anne: Can’t confirm or deny.
Kerry Winsor: Well, there’s my answer.
Mollie Wilson: This is not the weekend for drama. That’s all I’ll say.
The Fridaythat I’d been dreading came far too soon. When I wasn’t busy with the animals, I was working out how to get Eric to Waldren. He had been demanding, trying to get me to come all the way to where he’d just moved to in Nashville. He’d also asked questions that told me he had no idea what he was doing.
I warned Eric that it might be hectic, and every part of me wanted to take him and run.
According to my lawyer, that was a bad idea. I needed to let this happen and see if it caused any issues. He said I was lucky Judge Marlon had sided with me at all. I needed to stay in his good graces.
Mollie had been extra helpful, and I still didn’t know how to thank her. She’d been cooking meals and not complaining when I spent extra time with Eric. Some nights, I fell asleep in his room, worried that he would be gone when I woke up. Each time, she smiled and told me things would be okay.
I owed her. And when this weekend was over, and Eric was back with me, I would figure out some way to repay her.
In the end, Waldren won when he told me he didn’t have a car seat for Eric, and I prepared to be in the car for six fucking hours.
But when I walked out of the house, Mollie was leaning on my truck.
“What are you doing?”
“We’re taking my car.”
“We? And why your car?”
“Mine is comfortable for long trips, and it has some features that make highway driving easier.”
“You still didn’t say why you’re going with me.”
“I’m not leaving you to deal with dropping Eric off on your own,” she said. “This is hard. For both of you.”
She looked at Eric, who was pressed against my side. “I want Mollie to go,” he said softly.
I sighed. “Are you sure about this?”
“I wouldn’t offer if I wasn’t sure,” she replied. “Let’s go.”
I put Eric’s seat into her car and we headed out. She even offered to drive. I was grateful, because I wasn’t sure if I should be behind the wheel of a car while so nervous. I dreaded every second as we got closer to Nashville, and I could tell Eric did too.
Waldren lived in a high-rise apartment, one that screamed money. The lobby was all marble and the doorman gave me an odd look when we walked in.
“There he is!” Waldren announced when he saw Eric. “My kid.”
“Hi,” Eric said quietly.
“Why so bored? You’re gonna have a blast here! And I can finally invite my girlfriend over.” He muttered the last part, and I knew he was still lying to her about raising Eric.
“Maybe this weekend should be for the two of you.”
Waldren ignored me. “I have games and movies. I bet you’ve never seen any of that.”