Page 194 of Remiss
They both halted.
“Uh, is this a bad time?” Mattie asked nervously, wringing her hands.
The way Johnnie eroded his daughter’s self-confidence was a fucking travesty.
“Harls, are you okay—?”
“You know she doesn’t live here, Mattie,” Bailey said, still riding her bitter bitch train. “So what do you want?”
Mort tossed his drink back, glared at his wife, and smiled at Mattie.
“We didn’t know she was here, Bailey,” Grant said coolly. “Ryan said her and Aunt Zoann went shopping or something.”
“She’s aunt and I’m just Bailey?”
Grant frowned. “You’re my sister. Why would I call you aunt?”
“Are you sure about that? I might be your niece given the fucked up family tree we have.”
“Uh—”
“Don’t worry about it, son,” Knox said.
“Why don’t I walk you home, Mattie?” Chester volunteered, sliding from her seat.
“Can I come, Aunt Zoann?” Harley asked.
“Hogzilla is on the loose,” Mattie announced. “Uncle Val was looking for her when we left.”
“She didn’t chase us, so she’s probably farther back in the woods than he thought,” Grant said.
“When will he turn that bitch into roasts and ribs?” Chester said crossly.
Mort got to his feet. “I’ll walk with you, baby.”
“If that bitch comes snorting her big ass toward us, shoot her,” Chester said.
“I’ll shoot in the air,” Mortician told her. “Val love that pig.” He looked at the boys. Instead of inviting them, though he had every right as their father, he turned to Bailey. “Let Lou and Kaleb come with me? I’ll bring them back safely.”
“It’s a school night.”
Mort nodded, pretending her hard stance didn’t sting. He looked at Grant. “You need to talk to me?”
“Oh, uh, it can wait.”
Mattie nodded.
Instead of pushing the issue of Lou and Kaleb, Mort went to his sons and hugged them tightly. “Mind your mama. Okay? Tomorrow, after school, come to the club like normal.”
“Okay, Dad,” Lou said sadly. “I love you.”
“I love you too, son,” Mort said gruffly, hugging both of them again.
He started to walk out, then looked at his wife, so miserable and alone, grieving for things she never should’ve discovered especially since she’d already been so overwhelmed. He wasn’t sure what she’d do with the information. He had to tell Prez and Kendall. Or, maybe, they already knew and was trying to verify the accuracy.
“Bailey?”
She didn’t look up, but he knew she heard him because she stiffened.
