Page 68 of Love in the Outfield

I hang up the phone and throw myself onto my bed, bury my face in my pillow and wail uncontrollably. A long while later, after I’ve cried out every last drop, I roll onto my back and stare blankly at the ceiling. Thanks to the “feel-good hormones” I feel drugged, like nature intended after a good cry.

I hear Mama and Ava return and get up to splash cold water on my face before greeting them. My face is blotchy, my nose rivals Rudolf’s, and my eyes are puffy. Nowhere to hide. I reluctantly leave the sanctuary of my bedroom.

“Hey Mama, Ava,” I say reaching for my baby boy who is reaching right back. Ava looks at me strangely as she hands over August.

“Mama, mama, mama,” he says joyfully, hugging me around my neck.

“Did you pet the horses?” I ask, my stuffy nose making me sound nasal.

“Yesh. Me wide.”

I arch my brows. “Did you get to ride?”

His little face bobs up and down. “Yesh.”

“Wow!” I hug him fiercely and then put him down before turning to face the firing squad.

Mama says, “What in the world?”

“Let me make us some tea then we can gather round the table,” I say trying to postpone the inevitable.

Ava says, “You sit. I’ll get the kettle going.” I can hardly take the concern I see in their expressions. I wonder how long these feel-good hormones from my crying jag are gonna last.

I set Auggie up with some blocks and a few cars,not the ones from Cade, and sit across from Mama at my tiny kitchen table. Ava puts the kettle on and then sits next to Mama.

Mama squints at me and drawls, “Well? What’d he do?”

I’m surprised at my knee-jerk reaction to defend Cade. But I don’t voice it. “He hired a lawyer to get joint custody and I’m about to get served.” Ava’s eyes go wide and Mama gasps.

“What?!” Mama exclaims. “I knew it! He’s a jackal in disguise is all he is. Coming in all smooth and suave, innocent as a lamb.” Mama is getting more and more fired up as she continues. “I swear, if he had a brain cell it would die of loneliness! What in hell tarnation was he thinking? You’ve cooperated and given him everything he’s asked for. That lawyer is probably drooling over the thought of takin’ his money.”

“Good. I hope she takes him to the cleaners,” Ava says.

I’m confusing myself because the more they talk the more I want to take up for Cade. Maybe I am that crazy lady.

“W-e-l-l,” I drawl slowly, “not everything. He did ask if he could take August on a family vacation in the off-season and I said absolutely no way in hell.”

“That was an unreasonable request!” Mama huffs. “The nerve that he’d even ask.”

The kettle whistles and Ava gets up to pour the hot water over our Kentucky blend tea bags, returning with the tray. While she tends to our tea, Mama continues her rant.

“I knew he’d show his true colors sooner than later.”

Ava says, “I’m sure you feel all sorts of betrayed. I’m sorry, sis.”

I feel my eyes welling up again. “I’m so hurt,” I agree. “I trusted him, I reckon maybe I’m the one with the lonely brain cells. He told me he’d never do anything about August without talking to me first. I can’t believe this is happening.”

“You’ve just got a big heart is all. Don’t you dare make this your fault. This is about a snake in the grass. Now we have to get organized. I’m calling Darla,” Ava says pulling out her cell.

As we wait for the receptionist to ring her through, Ava says, “Thank God we have a lawyer in the family.” Next thing I knowour sister Darla is on speakerphone and they’re talking at the same time.

“Hold on, one at a time please,” Darla says laughing.

Ava says, “Georgia is getting served.”

“By who?”

“Who do ya think? Cade. He wants joint custody.”

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