Page 8 of The Bargain

That was not something I could accept. I couldn’t have this sweet baby turned over to this heartless man in front of me.

“He has a sick heart.”

Dean took a step toward the bassinet and looked down at the sleeping infant. “He doesn’t look sick,” he stated with suspicion.

“No, and that’s because I’m taking excellent care of him. His needs come first, always.”

“How much?” he asked.

Hasn’t he heard a word I've said?

“Name your price. I’ll have your check drawn up in the next thirty minutes.”

“No.” I moved to stand between him and the cot. “No amount of money will make me abandon him to you.” I crossed my arms on my chest in defiance. “All the money in the world would not make me change my mind.”

“Would you deny this child the best school, best medical care for his heart, best…everything!” He threw his hands up in exasperation.

“No, of course I want all of that for him and more!” I shot back angrily - well, as angrily as a whisper could allow because waking Timmy up was the last thing I wanted to do. “But there are some things crucial in life, some things money can’t buy.”

“Oh yeah? Such as?” he asked tauntingly, crossing his arms on his chest and mirroring my position.

“Love, care, understanding, patience, kindness, understanding…. Things I highly doubt you can provide him.”

His nostrils flared, his jaw ticking with exasperation.

“I’m going where he goes.”

A glint appeared in his eyes as a smile spread on his lips. It was anything but nice; it was cold and calculating. “You think you’re a good mother?”

“No.” I shook my head. "I know I’m a good mother."

“Fine, let's strike a bargain then.”

I looked at him, inviting him silently to continue.

“Prove to me you’re a fit mother. Come with him to my country estate for six months, stay drug-free, and show me you are what this child needs, and I'll help you.”

“Help me how?”

“I’ll set you up in a nice place here in Philly, give you more than a generous alimony for you to raise him, and I'll pay for all the doctors, private schools, activities, and everything this child needs.”

“Okay…” I trailed off, waiting for the punchline.

“But if you fail, if you take drugs or endanger this child in any way, I’ll get full custody and you will lose your rights. Are we in agreement?”

That would be easy for me, way too easy. This felt like a trick. No, he thinks you are a drug addict. He expects you to fail. Opal had failed and I’d missed it - she’d sworn up and down she had been clean since she’d found out she was pregnant and yet Timmy had been born an addict.

“Too difficult of a choice for such a good mother?” he asked mockingly, taking my silence for hesitation.

“How can I be sure you’ll keep your words?” That was a fair question. This man was a shark and I should know better than trust him.

“We’ll draw a contract exposing all the terms - which will include a bi-weekly urine test. I'm not going to take just the word of a junky.”

“No, you wouldn't, but I understand. I wouldn't want to take the words of the heartless man you are either.”

He nodded. “I’ll be back at the end of the day with the contract ready. Pack your bags and be ready to leave by the time I’m back.”

I nodded. “We’ll be here.”

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