Page 71 of Love in the Outfield

“And?”

“I’m still hurt.”

“I figured that much but do you get what I was saying? About the financial security for our son?”

Her voice is so quiet I can barely hear her when she finally responds. “I reckon.”

“That’s a start anyway.”

“I got served today.”

I swallow. “I know the legal docs are intimidating. I’m sorry if you’re unsettled. We’ll do this thing together.”

“As you know my sister is a lawyer, I have it covered.”

“Georgia, I meant we’d figure out how we want this to look. Together. You and me.”

“Why didn’t you ask me to go with you to the appointment then? If we’re so ‘in this together?’ Seems like you’re positioning us on opposite sides.”

“I wasn’t though. I didn’t mean to, anyway. Can you answer me honestly? If I’d have asked you to go to an attorney together, would you have agreed?”

Silence.

I push on, “I didn’t think so. You know what my schedule is like. I felt like I needed to hear what she had to say. I wasn’t planning on filing anything that day. I decided on the spur of the moment.”

I hear her deep sigh. “I guess that makes me feel a little better,” she says.

The relief I feel is immeasurable, like a heavy weight lifted off my shoulders. “I’m glad, Geege. I’d never intentionally do anything to hurt you. I hope you know that.”

“Not so much,” she says. It feels like a kick in the balls but what do I expect given our history? At least she’s talking to me now. That gives me hope.

“Well, it’s true. I don’t blame you for having doubts, but it’ll all work out. I’m only trying to protect you and Auggie.”

“And get your own way on vacation.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “No. I don’t give a shit about that. If you say it’s too soon, it’s too soon and we’ll leave it at that.”

“Swear?”

“I promise. I’m not the bad guy here. I want what’s best for all of us.”

“I reckon time will tell.”

“Did you watch the game?” I ask.

“Maybe.”

“Did you answer the phone out of pity for me then?”

“Probably,” she says. “You still won so it wasn’t too costly.”

“Easy for you to say. Sucker punched my ego.”

“That sounds like a prayer being answered.”

I laugh out loud. “You’re something else, Georgia. Maybe you can use your prayers for good now that I’ve been put in my place.”

“That was for good.” I can hear the smile in her voice. “Well, I best be heading to bed.”

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