Precious Consequences(9)

“How do you know that’s my next class?”

Her eyes roll. “I looked at your schedule,” she pauses. “And now that I know we’ll be best friends, I’m going to buy you a Latte and tell you all my inappropriate secrets, and what turns me on.”

Oh yes, I definitely like this girl.

We take a seat in the crowded coffee shop, sipping our Lattes, and Hannah launches into a full discussion about her turbulent relationship with Marcus. I find myself laughing at her dramatic reenactments of their sex life, while she returns the dirty looks of passing students who happen to overhear her. Something about the way she talks so freely, and without restraint, reminds me of who I was before. But not in a sad way. It only makes me wish I could find the courage to let go of the secrets that I’m ashamed of, and embrace the direction my life has taken.

When the remainder of our classes are done, Hannah gives me a ride home and I’m surprised to find my Mini parked outside my grandmother's house. I pull out my phone and see a message from an unknown number.

I made sure your car was dropped off. Maybe next time, you can give me a ride.

Cameron.

I smile.

My fingers glide over the screen as I respond.

Tnks. But I don’t get into cars with serial killers or stalkers. Better luck next time ;) x

He doesn’t reply and as much as I’d like for our banter to continue, I’m glad it doesn’t. He’s nice to look at, that’s for damn sure, but I can’t afford becoming ‘interested’ in more than a possible friendship, especially when I come as a ‘2 for the price of 1’ special.



Chapter 4

~ Hayley ~

It takes some time for Ari and I to get into a good routine, but after two weeks we finally have it right. My classes are going well, for now at least, and Ari has adjusted to being at daycare three days a week. Unfortunately, she has also hit the ‘Terrible Two’s’ that I’ve heard many mothers complain about and has been making life a little more challenging than usual. I haven’t seen Cameron again and every time I drop Ari off in the mornings, I find myself looking for his blue Ford truck. Oddly enough, I know it won’t be there, and that I won’t see him but it doesn’t stop me from looking for him anyway.

I pull my car into the parking lot of Ari’s daycare center. I pick her up on Wednesday’s after my last class and have made it our weekly date. I’m taking her to the park, excited to spend some time with my little girl. I cut the ignition and step out of my car, but am halted by what sounds like a woman yelling. I turn around and see a young woman standing by her car, yelling into her phone. Her honey blonde hair is tied in a messy bun on top of her head and she’s wearing a waitress uniform. I recognize it from Joe’s Diner in town.

“Are you kidding me right now, Jace?” she yells. “What am I supposed to do? Macy’s daycare payment is due and so is my rent. The only thing I ask you to help me with is her daycare, and now you’re telling me you can’t?”

There’s a minute intermission, as the other person on the end of the line speaks.

“How can you do this to us, Jace?” she asks. “How can you do this to Macy?”

She goes quiet and I hear her sniffle as she wipes her nose. I know it’s rude to eavesdrop, but I can’t look away from her. Her face is red, a combination of anger and tears that are now streaming down her face.

“I don’t care! She’s your daughter, too, and I only agreed on a divorce because you promised that you would help me take care of Macy. I let you walk away from me, but not our little girl.”

Her eyes screw shut and she pinches the bridge of her nose before taking a deep breath.

“You know what, Jace,” she says, straightening her back. “Just forget about it. From now on, I will take care of my little girl. You can forget about seeing her, too. As of right now, you don’t have a daughter and she doesn’t have a daddy.”

She ends the call and I see her tiny body shake. Her cries are muffled but from where I’m standing just a few feet away I can hear them. And I feel for her. The only difference is that being a single parent has been my choice, but it’s obvious that she no longer has a choice. I walk over to her, careful not to startle her.

“Excuse me, miss?” I say. She whips around and looks at me, her eyes red and puffy, wide with alertness. “Are you okay?” I ask softly.

She straightens up, brushing her hands over her uniform to remove the creases, and wipes her face before replying, “Yeah, I’m just sick and tired of dealing with selfish *s.”

She pushes past me and stomps up the stairs to the daycare center. Okay, then…

I shake my head and follow her once she’s disappeared through the door. When I walk into Ari’s class, she’s sharing a cookie with a little blonde girl and I immediately recognize her as the daughter of the woman I just saw outside. Her long blonde hair hangs down to the middle of her back, and she’s wearing a powder blue sundress. She’s gorgeous.

Ari looks up and sees me, her little face lighting up. “My mommy!” she yells, announcing my presence to anyone who will listen. She runs through the mini desks and chairs and flings her little body into my legs.

“Hi, baby girl,” I say, picking her up. I hug her close and smell her hair. “I missed you today,” I tell her. Her little hands touch my cheek.