Page 15 of Bonus Daddy
“Yeah, yeah, little brother, I remember. But middle age comes for us all. And I worry about you, working yourself so hard and all alone in that big house.”
He scoffed. “I’ve got Bruce.”
“Your horse dog doesn’t count,” I said a little too loudly. Cringing, I stepped into the kitchen, putting more distance between myself and the girls’ room.
“He’d be offended by that statement. He’s excellent company. Besides, I’ve got visitors coming soon, so I’m focused on that. Shame you girls can only stay a week.”
I slumped against the counter. It was a shame, but I was thankful for the time I could take off to take the girls home for the Fourth of July. Maplewood did Independence Day right. And I’d been working so much that it had been months since we’d visited. The girls were already planning their hikes and arguing over which secret swimming holes they wanted to visit with their cousins.
I planned to use the week for job hunting and working out logistics. We weren’t on the docket until mid-July, but I’d be ready when the time came.
“It’s all the time I can get off. Trust me, once that motion is approved, we’ll pack up the car and be out of here.” I’d kill to spend the entire summer there so the kids could run wild and cleanse theirlungs with fresh mountain air. But I’d settle for the month of freedom before school started.
“I miss you,” he said softly. “And the girls.”
“I miss you too.”
My heart clenched. The loss of our parents hit each of us so differently.
Josh had thrown himself fully into the farm, preserving their legacy, while I often reached for my phone to call my mom, only to be hit with a fresh wave of grief.
I missed them, and I missed my siblings.
I’d given up so much during my marriage, and I’d lost so many parts of myself.
When we finally moved back to Vermont—ifwe moved—I was determined to find those parts again.
And to build a new version of myself.
Chapter 6
Brian
Every time I opened the case file, my hands shook with rage. She deserved so much more. Including better divorce lawyers years ago.
I’d been up half the night, making the changes Cliff and I discussed. And then this morning, Lo and I had sat down with Jess’s paperwork and strategized, deciding to file the initial motion next Tuesday so we’d get on the docket quickly.
And while reviewing the documents Will had finally sent over, my blood pressure had skyrocketed.
When Lo went back to her own office, I googled Kenneth Mosely. Mostly so I’d know what I was up against, though part of me was curious too. To understand the kind of person Jess had married.
He was older. Probably in his early fifties, and handsome in thatI belong to a yacht clubkind of way. Medium height and build.
I could kick his ass. That was immediately apparent. Cracking my knuckles, I geared up to do a deeper dive into this motherfucker.
Kenneth Mosely. Venture capital. MBA from Wharton. Lots of credentials.
Reading his profile felt like taking an Ambien.
Another undeserving rich dude drunk on self-confidence and unearned privilege.
Also? Accomplished sailor. And golfer.
I could assume these were some of the activities he was busy with when he wasn’t bothering to show up for visitation with his daughters.
I should have stopped once I’d read his professional bio.
That would have been the dignified thing to do.
