Cracks in the Sidewalk(43)

“Who cares what she thinks? I know what’s good for my kids.”

“What about your in-laws? As I understand it, you won’t allow them to see the children either. Is that true?”

“Don’t get me started on them. That miserly old skinflint and his troublemaking wife are never gonna see my kids again. Never. You got that?”

“Obviously you have some anger issues with your in-laws. Why?”

JT gave a loud exasperated huff then sat there for a full minute before answering. “Because of them my life is totally screwed up. Everybody thinks they’re so good because they’re always volunteering to help this cause or that cause, and when they’re not volunteering they’re going to church or saying prayers for somebody. Well, I say charity begins at home and when I needed money to keep my business from going belly-up, Liz’s old man thumbed his nose at me.”

“Is it possible that he didn’t have the money to give you?”

“No way. He had it. He just didn’t want to give it to me. If it was something for his precious daughter, well, now, that would have been a different story.”

“Don’t you think he might consider providing for Elizabeth’s family the same as providing for her?”

“You just don’t get it do you? He hates me. He’s always hated me. Right this very minute he’s probably reminding Liz how he always said I didn’t know squat about retailing.”

“Retailing, is that the business you’re in?”

“Was! Because old man McDermott refused to lend me a little dab of his precious money, I lost my store. Some great life, huh? No store, no job, no money, a stack of bills that could choke a horse, and three kids to take care of.”

“Are you currently looking for a job?”

“Doing what? Retailing, that’s all I know.”

“Is it possible you could find a job in that field?”

“I suppose the McDermotts told you to ask me that,” JT sneered. “Well, I’m not gonna go from being a business owner to clerking in some five-and-dime. I’ve already lost everything else. Now they’re trying to take away my kids and what little pride I’ve got left.”

“Who’s trying to take away—”

“The McDermotts!” JT shouted angrily. “Are you not hearing me?”

“I hear you, but I’m confused as to why you think the McDermotts are at fault.”

“They’re doing everything they can to force me out into the street. They think if I’ve got no way to support my kids, they can take them away from me.”

“Isn’t it possible they’re only interested in seeing the children?”

“Ha! Shows what you know. I don’t suppose they told you how they got Liz to ask for all her jewelry back. I want my Rolex and my engagement ring, she tells me, like she’s got someplace to wear those things. Well, she’s not getting them, know why?”

Doctor Belleau shook his head.

“Because they’re gone. Sold. I used the money to pay the mortgage and put food on the table. What’s more important, a dead woman wearing a diamond ring or me and my kids having a place to live and something to eat?”

“Perhaps Elizabeth agrees. Have you discussed this with her?”

“How can she agree when her money-hungry parents are telling her to get the jewelry back?”

“Perhaps Elizabeth simply wants these things because they have meaning for her, sentimental value. Isn’t that possible?”

“Yeah, sure. And the moon is made of green cheese.”

Seeing that nothing could be resolved, Doctor Belleau changed the subject. “Tell me about the children,” he said.

“What’s to tell? I take care of them as best I can. I’m not all over their back for every little thing they do wrong. They got it a lot better than I had.”

“Meaning what?”

“Look, I’m not Liz. She’s all over them with that huggy-kissy stuff. You know where that gets you? No place, that’s where. I give the kids what they need, nothing less, nothing more.”

“And what is it you think they need?”

“Beds to sleep in, food on the table.”

“Do you think that’s enough?”

“Well, I ain’t asking them to jump through hoops to please me.”

Doctor Belleau scribbled something on his notepad then continued. “Do you care for the children by yourself?”

“I’ve got a lady friend who lends a hand, and there’s Missus Ramirez. She babysits now and then.”

“This lady friend, does she live with you?”

“Why, is that what my motherin-law said?”

“She’s of the opinion that you have a girlfriend.”

“See what I mean!” JT shouted. “I can’t take it anymore!” He jumped to his feet and began pacing in front of the doctor. “It’s not enough that I’ve lost everything, the McDermotts are looking to destroy me. They pretend to be goody-good, but the truth is they’re exactly like my old man. All they want to do is tear me down! They’ll say anything, do anything—”

JT flung himself back into the chair and started sobbing.

“What do they want from me?” he wailed. “Did I make Liz sick? Did I ask for any of this? Do they think I want this?”