Page 21 of A Small Town Risk

The last hour has been a whirlwind since I got Mom’s text. I don’t know how I would have made it without my friends. Elle was already checking flights from Denver to Dallas before we even left the bar. Carson drove us back to my place so I could pack and pick up my truck.

I don’t know how long I’ll be staying in Dallas. I sure hope it’s not long.

I do feel bad about getting on the plane and not letting Ryan know I’ve left. I’ll get hold of him once we land.

My mind is shot by the time the plane touches down. I am so tired. I just want to sleep, but that’s not possible. I catch a cab outside the terminal and check my phone for messages. There’s one from Catherine and Elle asking about my arrival. The others are from Mom and Dad, but I don’t bother reading them.

Soon, the taxi pulls up in front of my parents’ house. It’s brightly lit, standing out like a Christmas tree at night. The driver helps me with my bags and leaves as I walk up the stairs to the front door. I go inside. “Mom!”

“Parker, you’re here. Thank goodness,” she responds, coming out of Dad’s office down the hall. I set down my bag.

“How are you?”

Dramatically exhaling, she replies, “It’s been a lot, but it’s time. I can’t take the lies any longer.” She laughs before adding, “Your dad thinks I’m going to change my mind, and I’m not. No way.” She hugs me. “I’m so glad you’re here. We need to talk.”

She turns, and I follow her down the hall to Dad’s office. I seldom enter this room because he dislikes anyone else in here. This is where he would yell at me for not meeting his expectations. I was never good enough for him, despite trying so hard.

It looks like a tornado ripped through the den. The deer’s head, normally above the fireplace, is now propped against the wall on the floor. Papers are scattered all over the large wooden desk, some even on the carpet.

She sits on the leather couch and pats the spot beside her. “Have a seat.”

“You’re really going to do this?” I ask as I nestle in beside her. I finally take a good look at her. She’s wearing jeans and a long-sleeved shirt untucked with tennis shoes. My mother never wears athletic shoes unless she’s playing tennis or golfing. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her dressed like this. She has always given off the Stepford wife vibe. She looks happy too, which I don’t see very often.

“I’m sorry that I called you home. I was panicking and needed support.”

She looks down at her hands. The absence of her wedding ring is noticeable. She never takes it off.

“I’m divorcing your father,” she repeats. “I discovered my supposed friends have known about his mistresses all along. Ithought he was more discreet, but recently, he’s been openly taking them to dinners and introducing them to our friends.”

She gives me a tight smile.

“I reached out to a divorce lawyer who’s a shark. She had a private detective follow him and get hold of all his secretaries/mistresses. We have enough to bury him.”

I’m proud of her. She’s really doing this.

“He’s going to be served tomorrow. I’m asking for half of everything and the house.”

“Okay.” I’m a little stunned. “I’m glad you’re finally going through with it. It’s not right what he’s done to you.”

I can tell my words mean a lot to her. A sad smile crosses her face.

“I should have done it a long time ago. I know it’s been hard on you all these years, and I’m sorry. Thank you for coming, though. I love you.”

She touches my leg. “Why don’t you go up to one of the guest rooms and get some sleep? I need to lock up and go to bed myself. Tomorrow will be a challenging day.”

I had to know why the den was such a mess. “Mom, did you do this, or was it Dad?”

She gives a little shrug. “I did. My lawyer asked me to go through his papers and see if I could find anything useful. I found some things.” She gives a wicked smile. “Get some sleep. We’ll talk more in the morning.”

I give her another hug and head upstairs. Quickly get ready for bed and slip under the covers. As soon as my head hits the pillow, I groan. I just remembered that I still haven’t called Ryan. Damn, it’s so late. I’ll do it tomorrow. I’m sure he doesn’t even know I’m gone.

The sun in my eyes wakes me. I forgot to shut the darn curtains. I pull the pillow over my face, wanting to get somemore sleep. I eventually give up, toss the pillow aside, and sit up. I have to change and go downstairs to find Mom. Dad’s getting served today. He’s going to lose his mind when he gets the papers. I wish I could be there when he gets them. He’s going to have a meltdown.

We’re sitting down for breakfast when our phones buzz. I check mine; it’s Dad. He must have been served. It’s only a matter of time before he comes to the house.

The doorbell rings while we finish eating. Mom calmly answers the door, and in walks a well-dressed woman.

“Parker, this is Shirley. My lawyer.”

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