Against the Odds (Fighting to Survive #2)(41)
“Thank you. Besides, I wanted to speak to you alone.”
“I’m sure this has to do with Madison. Did you not understand the paperwork you received from the courts about custody?”
“Don’t be so condescending, it’s unbecoming of you.”
“What is it you want, Drake” I don’t have all night.”
“Before we go into court, I thought you should know that the secret is out about Bobby Grether.”
“What secret are you talking about?” I take the seat at my desk across from him. Drake looks smug. “The Grethers have no secrets,” I insist. Drake Sinclair is starting to piss me off.
“Really?” he rubs his scruffy chin with his left hand. He raises a brow and says, “It took me some searching, and I have to say, it even took me by surprise.”
“Drake, really, I have someplace I need to be. I don’t have all night.”
He continues, “Bobby’s drug abuse and his police record aren’t a secret? It was a bit shocking, I have to admit.”
I knew about Bobby’s past, but I had no idea Drake would find out. “No, it’s public record,” I say, casually. Bobby told me he had his one and only police record expunged. Is this what Drake is talking about? “I’m not going to sit her and discuss the Grethers with you.”
“Well, the police record for assault is public record but his drug addiction isn’t.” Drake sits on the edge of his chair and asks, “Do you honestly think any court in Florida is going to give a junkie custody of a child, my child?”
“Drake, this conversation is over.” I stand up and walk around my desk to escort Drake out of my office.
Drake laughs and stands tall as he casually walks towards the door. “Mr. Myles, I can see I caught you off guard. I didn’t want you showing up in court… unprepared.”
“Are you forgetting who the attorney is?” I say as I hold open the door. “Unprepared? We’re ready for whatever you think you have. And if this is all you have…”
“Don’t underestimate me, Bruce, This is just the icing on the cake. I haven’t even begun to scratch the surface.” He walks through the door, turns around and says, “When I get through digging the dirt up on Bobby Grether…well, let’s just say, he won’t stand a chance of getting custody of Madison.”
“I wouldn’t get your hopes up too soon, Drake. It’s still early in the game to announce a victor. Have a good evening.” I say before shutting my office door. I look at my watch and I am already over an hour late for dinner. I then call my wife and tell her I’ll be working late at the office, again. This conversation with Drake has absolutely caught me off guard. Maybe I didn’t give him enough credit. I don’t call Bobby, I call in my investigative team instead.
Leah
I stand by the bed and watch as Gracie sleeps. I smile at all of her facial expressions. She is my dream come true. Mom and Margie come in and spend the morning with us. Mom and I have lunch together in the cafeteria while Margie stays with Gracie. I stocked the nursery with a few bottles of breastmilk for Gracie, so she is in good shape. I’m thankful my breast milk is plentiful and pumping isn’t a problem. I am still amazed at how much milk I can get from pumping. With Jamie, I always worried she was going hungry, but not with Gracie.
During lunch Mom says, “When Robert goes out to Vegas in a couple weeks, you can stay at the house with me if you’d like.”
“Thank you, I actually was thinking about doing that. But then I decided I would stay at the hospital with Gracie. You know, have like a slumber party the few days he’ll be gone.”
“That sounds like fun. Are you assuming she’ll still be here?” Mom asks.
“I was. I didn’t even consider that she may be home by then.”
“Well, we’ll see what happens. If she is home and you want help, I can stay with you.”
“Let’s just plan on you staying with us, if Gracie is home by then. It’ll be easier to not move everything I need to your house for a few days.” I know Robert said he would be home the same day, but there is always the chance that something will happen.
“Okay, sounds good. Nothing like a slumber party with my granddaughter,” she smiles. “And if she’s still in the hospital, we’ll plan on me staying here with you.”
“Mom, you don’t have to do that…”
Mom interrupts and says, “I want to. I know I don’t have to.”
“Thank you.”
We finish lunch and when we get to the nursery, there is loud beeping and commotion. I frantically look for Margie and Gracie. Margie is standing in the corner of the room holding the baby. I search the room to see what the problem is. When I see the medical staff is across the room, I know the incident is with the newest and smallest child brought in last night.
N.I.C.U. is a small area with maybe 10 newborns. And because the babies are usually here for a lengthy stay, you know who’s here and you get to know them and their parents. Not personally, but you do have a bond with them that others don’t. We are all here against our will, praying for the best possible outcome for our children.
I watch in horror as they use a small Ambu bag to breathe life into a helpless infant. They quickly and efficiently transport the incubator out of the room. I cry as they exit the room while performing C.P.R. on the baby. I don’t see any family members leaving with them.