Page 53 of Shattered Dreams

He chatted with the caller, and Libby came through the breakroom, joining us.

“Okay, so let’s see.” She went over to the desk and picked up a manilla folder. “Here are the forms I need you to fill out for taxes and insurance. Then you’ll find a paper with login information to get your GED. Payday is bi-weekly, we can trade off Saturdays.”

“Wait.” I patted my heart through my chest. “What are you talking about?”

“Oh, pick your shirts you want. You don’t have to wear them, but they are good advertising.”

“Olivia. Stop.” I grabbed her arms. “What is going on?”

“Um, this is the hiring process.” She spoke very slowly. “So I am getting you ready to work here.”

“Goddamn it!” I growled and stormed into the garage, looking for Richard.

He stood by a workbench and leaned against it, watching me.

“What the hell do you think you are doing?” I shoved his solid chest. “You have no right to junk my van, give me a job, make my boys think you’ll always be there and … and …”

His eyebrows were raised, and he had a smirk on his handsome face. “Ya’ done?”

“You … you … asshole!” I stomped my feet.

“Mama, that’s a bad word.” Harrison appeared by my side.

“Ya’ done?” He asked again.

I snarled at him. “I’m pissed off!”

“I noticed.” He chuckled. “But do you realize how ridiculous you sound?”

“You can’t just fix everything, Richard!”

He shrugged. “Bullshit.”

“That’s a bad word, Richard.” Harrison waggled his finger.

“I’m not fixing everything, Jolynn Rose. You said you needed a job, but no one wanted to hire you without a GED or diploma. So we’re,” He motioned to his brothers. “helping you get a GED. We’re helping you earn money for what you and the kids need. And next weekend we’re going camping with 5 kids to have a great adventure.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “Your van was a deathtrap. I need your signature on the title and you have a newer van that is safe. You wanna pay me back, pay me back. But I’ll be damned if I’ll stand by and watch the love of my life struggle any fuckin’ harder than she already has.”

“Um.” Tyler tugged Richard’s work shirt. “That’s a bad word.”

“So it is, little man.” He ruffled his hair and looked back at me. “Well, come at me, Jo. Let’s hear it.”

Richard

I watched her fight against tears that were welling up in her eyes. Pushing off my workbench, I looked at the boys. “Finish your jobs, then report back to Libby.”

“Yes, sir!” They ran off and I looked back at her.

“Would you like to sit down and talk?”

She nodded and covered her mouth with her hand.

I walked over and put my hand on her lower back, guiding her to my apartment. She sniffled and I could feel her shaking. Once we were in the apartment, she turned to me and wrapped her arms around my neck, sobbing.

Scooping her up, I carried her to the couch and sat down with her in my lap and let her cry. “Get it out, baby.”

“I done e-serve you.” She sobbed harder.

“Baby, love isn’t about deserving.” I rubbed her back. “Jo, I’ve loved you since we were kids. I don’t care that your kids aren’t the fruit of my loins. I love them because they’re a part of you. And I love you. You don’t love me back, that’s okay. But for fuck’s sake, let me help you get on your feet.”

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