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My phone rang and, thanks to the assigned ringtone, I didn’t even have to look to see who was calling. Closing my eyes, I inhaled deeply and considered whether or not I really wanted to deal with my ex-husband on a perfectly nice evening. I’d already poured myself a glass of pinot noir to sip while I planned my week and I knew he’d ruin my mood. “What do you want, Joe?” I sighed.

“I miss Penny,” he whined. Although his tone was so off, it felt forced.

“Her name is Penelope. You know how I feel about nicknames,” I grumbled as I held the phone in one hand and my wine glass in the other. I stared longingly down at my planner, but obviously I was out of hands and something had to give. After being married to Joe for six years, it wasn’t going to be the alcohol.

“I know,” he muttered. “And I see you still have that stick lodged up your snooty ass.”

I almost wished he was here. If he’d been able to look me in the eye, he’d have shrunk back and slinked away with his tail between his legs. Regardless, if the gloves were off, I might as well stop playing around and go straight for his throat. “So, it’s our daughter you miss and not access to my bank account?”

He coughed and cleared his throat before responding “I have no idea what you mean. I’m doing fine. I don’t need your money.”

My brows rose. “Oh, really? That’s strange.”

“What’s so strange about it?” he snapped.

I laughed quietly. “Only that I spoke with Bennie the other day and he suggested otherwise.”

“Luck comes and goes. You know how it works.” He huffed.

“I know how it works for you. Or doesn’t. I funded your habit for years.” I stood and began to pace around the kitchen. I thought better when I moved around. “You bled me dry. You loved your casino more than you loved your family. So, tell me again about how much you miss Penelope?”

“I do,” Joe spluttered, like he usually did when I called him out on his bullshit.

“What do you miss most about her?” I licked my lips and lounged against the counter while I waited for him to come up with something.

He groaned. “I miss her…” He sighed. “I guess the way she…”

I decided to help him. I could only listen to him struggle for so long. There were a half dozen tasks I needed to accomplish in the next few hours before I could even think about dropping into bed. “Maybe you miss her Robin Hood impersonation?”

“Robin Hood?” There was an edge to his voice, a slight tremor he always had when he was caught in one of his deceptions.

“Yes, Joe. Did you really think I was so stupid I didn’t know that every time you had visitation with Penelope, you had her steal all my cash first? Did you really not guess why I stopped carrying cash?” I let out humorless laugh. “See, because I absolutely noticed that once she stopped acting as your human piggy bank, you stopped coming to pick her up.” I swallowed hard. Remembering this pained me. “I confronted her. And would you believe she blamed me for your disappearance…every bit of it. It’s my fault you left. It’s my fault you stopped wanting to see her.”

“I have no idea what you’re blathering on about.” Joe choked out the words. “I never said that.”

My next words were spoken dangerously low. “Yes, you did. You said that and worse. She told me everything. She started angry, tossing her long red hair over her shoulder, and I could see so much of you in her.” My throat tightened. Thinking about Penelope’s pain cut through me like a knife. “So much hate and bitterness all aimed at me.” My eyes burned with tears I refused to let fall, even if he couldn’t see them. “No more, Joe. No more money. No more hurting my daughter.”

“She’s mine too!” He protested angrily.

“Ha!” I snapped. “Penelope’s yours only insomuch as you contributed half of her genes. In every way possible, every way that counts, she’s all mine. I take care of her. I provide for her. I love her and see to her every need. I even joined the PTA.”

“Yes, you’re the perfect mother. You tried to act like the perfect wife.” Joe snorted. “You had to run everything. Had to be in charge. You left no room for me to be a man. That’s why I left.”

I gasped. “You have some nerve, you lousy bastard. Do you really want to open that door? If you do, I’ll strut straight through it and lay out all your shortcomings. You pathetic excuse for a man.”

“If I’m so terrible, why is there no one else? Why haven’t I been replaced?” He sneered. “We’ve been divorced for a couple of years now, but you haven’t been on a single date. You’d take me back in a heartbeat if I wanted you.”

I had been taking a sip of my wine, hoping the warmth would soothe me, when he spoke. I almost spit out my wine. Instead, I swallowed hard. “If that’s what helps you sleep at night…”

“Penny needs her father,” he argued.

“Yes, Penelope needs a father figure, but it won’t be you. It could never be you.” I sighed sadly. “Goodbye, Joe.” I ended the call. And then, since he had a propensity for calling back a dozen times until he felt he’d said his piece, I turned off the phone.

Behind me, on the stairs, I heard a board creak. I swiped at my eyes and took a big swig from my glass, then set it down before turning to face my little girl. “Penelope, you should be asleep,” I murmured as glided across the hardwoods to greet her.

“How can I sleep when you and Daddy are fighting?” Her green eyes were wide with fear. “I’m sorry, Mommy. I just wanted to make him happy. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” Her head hung and I knew that despite the years since the incident I’d referenced, she was still ashamed of her behavior.

“You were only four then. You didn’t know better. Now you’re a big six year old girl.” I held open my arms to her and she fell into them. “And parents are supposed to tell the truth. I’m sorry Daddy lied, but don’t worry. I’ll protect you. I’ll keep you safe.”

“From him?” she asked quietly.

I gripped her even more tightly. “From everything.”