Page 114 of Forget That Guy
She leaned her head on my shoulder and listened, not saying a word.
“I can’t afford child support,” she hissed. “And, let’s face it, they don’t quite fit my lifestyle anymore. I love them, but they’d do better here with you without me here to mess things up for them.”
“You’re their mother, Juliana.”
“I know, but you’ve always been their favorite person.” She sounded pissed about that. “It’s hard to compete with Superman.”
Denver didn’t say anything.
“Here are the papers,” she said. “I’ve already signed them and turned them into my lawyer. If you need anything else, just contact him. I just wanted to let you know in person.”
Denver growled. “Just like that? You are going to leave?”
Juliana scoffed. “Don’t be so dramatic. They won’t even know that I’m gone.”
Then she left, heading back to her car and getting inside.
Denver watched her go.
Then punched the wood right inside the barn door.
It broke with a deafening crack.
Joe sighed. “I don’t think I could ever give up my baby like that.”
I held her close. “Some people just aren’t meant to be parents. Could be, Juliana is one of them. But don’t take her shortcomings on your shoulders. Her attitude doesn’t reflect against y’all in any way. You are all so loving. You deserve the world, and your mother just can’t see past her own nose to notice that.”
Denver turned when he heard the hiccuping sob that DeeDee let out.
He saw us all standing there, and his head dropped. “Go to him, babies.”
They threw the door open and flew at their father.
Denver’s eyes met mine over the top of their heads, and I could see the rage there.
I smiled sadly at him and then gestured toward my horse.
He winked then, but the rage never dimmed.
Yeah, this man could totally keep me.
I was arm deep in a cow when Boone appeared at my side.
He looked at the cow, then at me, and said, “You want lunch?”
Just as he asked that, I pulled my hand free and liquid shit came with it.
“Sure,” I said. “Where are you going?”
He shrugged. “Nettie’s bringing it. I just figured I’d be a nice person and ask if you wanted anything.”
I grinned. “Then yes, I want food.”
He nodded and left, stepping over the piles of shit on the floor as he did.
When I was done, I gestured at Young. “Get her started on some IV fluids. I also want to get her started on a gentle diet. Not too much food at first. We’ll check on her in an hour and see how she’s doing.”
Young nodded as I pulled the shit-encrusted glove free of my arm and tossed it into the trash.
