Page 98 of Regards, Mia

“Why do you think that?” I ask.

“Because that’s what grown- ups do,” he says. “That’s what Dad does.”

Something twists in my gut.

“Do you want us to get out?” George asks, his voice cracking.

“But he said we could stay,” Tyler protests.

I come back into the living room, a stern expression on my face. “I don’t go back on my word,”

Tyler punches his brother in the arm. “See?”

George schools his features into a mask. “Thanks again.”

“No problem.”

“We can clean the rest of this up,” Tyler says, grabbing shoes and jackets in his arms.

“And I’ll make up the bed,” George offers.

Mia still hasn’t called by the time the boys are settledin for the night, with a movie on the big screen television. I give in and type out a text, but hit delete before I press send. Maybe it’s best to show up at her place. If she isn’t home, I’ll just wait. I’d been planning on staying the night, but I don’t want to leave George and Tyler alone.

“I’ll be back in a few hours,” I say.

“Do you want some help picking out your clothes?” George asks.

I tug at the hem of my T-shirt. It’s so worn it’s faded into a dark gray. And suddenly, I know exactly what I’m going to wear to impress Mia.

CHAPTER 40

Get Rid of Him

Once back at home, I check my messages again before getting in the shower. I need to talk to Jay, but I also need to find out what’s going on with Elena.

Jordan is mistaken if he thinks I’ll have anything to do with prosecuting her. He will have to do it himself.

I take a long time under the hot spray of the shower, trying to rid myself of the dirty feeling deep inside. It’s my fault Elena is in jail. She might not see her kids again for years, and it’s because of me.

Wrapping myself in my robe, I grab my phone and call a number I never thought I would dial willingly. When Morris Birchland answers the phone, he is just as wary to talk to me as I am to talk to him.

“I want to meet with you as soon as possible,” I say.

“Concerning what?”

“I want to talk about your client, Elena…”

He cuts me off. “I have nothing to say.”

“You don’t understand.” I pace across my bedroom, finally giving in and going outside on the balcony. I find that the urge to smoke a cigarette is gone, but I still want to be outside under thecloak of night. Looking at the mountains in the distance brings me a sense of peace. “I want to help her.”

After a few more protests, Birchland agrees to meet me for coffee and discuss Elena’s case. I hang up feeling better than I have in hours, but still there are no messages from Jay.

If he doesn't text soon, I'll have to take matters into my own hands and show up on his doorstep again. It might come off as a bit desperate, but I need to see him. Scrolling back to the text I sent him over an hour ago, I realize it is still unread.

Is he ignoring me?

I head downstairs and grab my laptop. Until Jay arrives, I can busy myself starting a new spreadsheet. A new database is exactly what I need to calm my mind, but when I go to start a new project, the page won't load. A message comes up telling me I'm not connected to the wifi. I go through the steps of reconnecting, but I get the same results. The server can not be reached.

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