Page 81 of Not On Your Life

He avoids my eyes before shaking his head.

We sit in silence for a few more minutes. He talks to his mom, and I pretend not to listen.

Then he stands and pats the top of the headstone before walking away.

“Hey, bud,” I say, catching up to him. “Can I drive you home? It will be dark soon. I’m sure your dad would appreciate it.”

He shrugs, indifferent about it. This time, I can’t fight the urge to worry about him. Where does his dad think he is? Is he safe at home?

When I pull up to his house, an almost identical scene to the last one greets me. The house feels even more run down like the whole thing is sagging with grief. His dad bursts through the front door with a toddler attached to his hip.

“Max, what did I tell you about leaving without me? I’ve been calling everywhere.”

“I wanted to see Mom.” Max bursts into instant tears.

The frustration disappears from his dad’s eyes, replaced with something more akin to heartbreak. “I promise I’ll take you whenever you want to go, but please, don’t leave without me again.” He buries his face in the boy’s head and plants a kiss on his hair. “I thought I lost you.”

I step back, worried about intruding on their moment.

“I’m sorry, Dad,” Max says. He takes his little brother from his father’s arms and carries him inside.

The dad turns to me. “You probably think I’m an awful parent.”

“Not at all,” I say quickly. I wouldn’t assume I understand his situation.

He sighs. “Thanks. I didn’t even get your name.”

“Connor Quinn,” I reach out to shake his hand.

“Tim Howard.” He responds. “Thanks for watching out for my son. I can’t promise it won’t happen again. He sure has his mother’s determination.” His chin trembles and he drags a hand over his face. “She’d kill me for letting him run off like that.”

“I’m sure you’re doing your best,” I reassure him.

“Trying,” he mutters. “Everything’s a nightmare right now, so it’s nice to know there are still good people like you in the world.”

He prepares to leave, but I stop him. “I don’t want to overstep, but I’m a lawyer. Is there something I can help with?”

A spark of hope flashes through his eyes.

“Really?” He stands up straighter. “I mean, I can’t pay you, and I won’t make you work for free, but could you give me some advice?”

“Of course.” Even if the man offered to pay me, I wouldn’t take it.

Two hours later, I’m knee-deep in a pile of life insurance policies and legal documents. When Tim and his wife set up their life insurance, the agent, who has conveniently been fired, named a cousin as the beneficiary in the case that Tim preceded his wife in death. If both parents had passed, the kids and the life insurance would have gone to the cousin, but that part conveniently got left out of the paperwork. That cousin now wants the money, regardless of what kind of financial situation that leaves Tim and his two kids in.

When I rise from his table, I’m fired up. I want to help them. No, Ineedto help them. I can’t rest until I do.

“I’m going to fix this,” I promise him before taking the necessary documents with me. I have a friend at work who will be a great help.

Tears glisten in his eyes, and he pushes the hair off his forehead. He probably hasn’t cut it in months. I’m sure lots of things have been neglected for the last few months. If I can ease a small burden on his shoulders, I’ll feel successful. “Thank you.”

I leave his house feeling more resolute than I have in a long time. People who have been wronged, like him, were the exact reason I went into law. And I’m going to fix it.

Chapter 27

Maddie

I’m not dreading dinner with my parents tonight. Someone get that printed and notarized because it’s never going to happen again.