The Passing Storm(59)
Yuna lowered a protective hand to her belly. “She didn’t want Quinn?”
“Her relationship with Mik wasn’t serious. They’d only dated a few weeks when she got pregnant.” Searching his memories, Griffin added, “I was around fourteen when Penny told him she was getting an abortion. She walked into the service bay at Marks Auto and made her announcement in front of the staff. Demanded Mik pay for the abortion—said she wanted the cash immediately. From what I heard, the public argument really knocked Mik down a notch. I’m sure he was humiliated. After they’d finished the shouting match and Penny walked off, one of the younger mechanics foolishly made a wisecrack. Mik read him the riot act, complete with f-bombs—he was screaming so loud, customers in the showroom were able to hear.”
“Your dad didn’t fire him?”
“I think he would’ve if he didn’t know Mik had a baby on the way. From my dad’s perspective, it wasn’t right to put a man out of work under those circumstances. But he did tell Mik to tone down the gutter talk, or he would lose his job.” When Yuna looked at him, aghast, he added, “Save your outrage. Me, Sally, my mother—at one time or another, we’ve all begged my father to dump Mik. We probably shouldn’t have pushed. Everett Marks doesn’t like anyone telling him what to do. And Mik’s a talented mechanic, especially with refurb work on classics, like Chief Johnson’s ’68 Camaro. He’s a failure as a human being, but the guy was born with a gift.”
“Having a talent doesn’t give you the right to act out.” Sighing, Yuna let it go. “How did Mik talk Penny into keeping the baby?”
“A day or so later, he went into my dad’s office and demanded a raise. Said he was getting married. My dad increased his salary on the spot. He also—delicately, mind you—asked if Mik would prefer to have the child placed in an adoptive home. My dad assured him that private inquiries would be made, at no expense.”
Yuna’s eyes widened with amazement. “How do you know all of this?”
“My mother.” Griffin’s affection for his mother merged with disgust that she’d needed to get involved with such an upsetting situation. “She was visiting the dealership on the day Penny marched in with her plans to get an abortion. Arranging a private adoption was her idea. Pity it didn’t work out. After Mik and Penny married, there were several interventions by Job and Family Services.”
“Why?”
“People in their apartment building were putting in calls about a toddler being left alone. That’s when my mother got seriously involved. She found a day care facility for Quinn and tried to take Penny under her wing. When that didn’t work out, she badgered my dad about giving Mik a big Christmas bonus. She’d found an affordable house in town for the couple. She hoped putting down roots would make Quinn’s childhood easier.”
“God bless Winnie,” Yuna murmured. Although her eyes were damp, she smiled. “I’ve always liked your mother. She treats all of your dad’s employees like family.”
“She does . . . but it didn’t make much difference. Not with Penny. She’s never had anything but loathing for Quinn.”
“What about Mik? Did he ever care about his son?”
“He gave parenting a shot when he was younger. Now? From my vantage point, it’s a safe bet the guy’s an alcoholic. He doesn’t care about anything but the next drink. Penny encourages his worst traits, and now their son is living at Rae’s place. There’s nothing about the situation that leaves me feeling warm and fuzzy inside.”
“But Quinn is doing so well! When he comes into work at my shop, he actually smiles. Talks nonstop about Connor and all the projects they’re doing together. He’s more distant with Rae—he is a teenage boy, and they don’t have much in common—but you can tell he’s blossoming. Getting a real sense of belonging, living with them.”
“I’m sure he is.”
“Won’t his parents see that eventually? Leave him alone, and let him finish growing up in a home that’s stable and safe?” Yuna seemed unable to glimpse the harder truths. “It’s more than they’ve been willing to give him.”
“I doubt they’ll see it that way.”
The air grew taut as Griffin inspected his thoughts. He felt impotent, powerless. Rae was no longer part of his life. How to protect her? He didn’t relish discussing the larger issues with Yuna, of all people, in the early stages of pregnancy, battling nausea. Under different circumstances, he’d never draw her into this. The concern brewing inside him brought him to an uneasy decision.
“Promise me something.” He leaned in for emphasis. “Keep an eye out for Mik. I’m not worried about Penny—she has low impulse control, but she doesn’t usually get too far out of line. Not unless she’s getting blitzed in one of the local bars and starts arguing with another woman. But if Mik contacts Rae—if he so much as sends a threatening text—I want a full report. If he shows up at the Witt Agency, or you catch wind he’s threatening Quinn—call immediately. I’ll take it from there.”
“What are you saying?” Yuna shrank back. “I know Mik’s been abusive to Quinn. Penny has been too. The bad stuff that happens in some families . . . it’s unimaginable. But Rae isn’t a part of that.”