Chapter 29

 

1 week later…

Maddie

 

I think every muscle in my body is screaming for a hot tub of water. I thought I was in better shape than I am. I’m not a couch potato. I run after a two- year old and I religiously do my crunches every morning and night trying to lose this last bit of baby weight that won’t go away but going with Micah and doing some dance moves has proven me wrong. I have been going with her twice a week since the first afternoon I went. It’s fun to just relax and let go and people watch. Yesterday afternoon turned into last night and one beer turned into shots and I am a light weight when it comes to drinking. Well, I was a light weight before B was born and after that, it was a sip here and there. A glass of wine after B was asleep. Not only can I not drink much alcohol but when I do drink I agree to things that I would never do sober, and all my inhibitions go out the window. That leads me to my present predicament.

Aunt Deb has agreed to take B for the next few afternoons, so Micah can help me get a simple enough dance routine down so that Friday night I can dance in her place for one set. It’s not mandatory to lose all my clothes, because I refused to do that one, but it needs to be sensuous, sexy, and I need to get down to a thong and a very skimpy top. I don’t know how I agreed to this. All the girls have a warm up set before the night gets under way. It’s short and supposed to be an enticement for the men to hang around for all the girls to dance. Now I am trying to think of a way out of it without having Micah hound me like the dogs from hades. There is knock on the door and then it opens. Aunt Deb is walking in with B on her hip.

“You look better than your sister does. I would have let you sleep in, but you have not been taking calls from Dra and he has called my phone repeatedly. You need to answer him and at least try and make some arrangements for him to see B. That being said, I am not here to preach but your attorney called this morning. Where is your phone? Do you not ever answer that thing? You have a set down in with him this afternoon. You my young lady are flying back to Colorado next week.” Aunt Deb hands me a stack of papers. “You have been served. Your court date is next Tuesday.”

“They can’t make me go back to Colorado. I live here in Texas and I filed papers here. We should go to court here.” Aunt Deb doesn’t seem alarmed at all by this information.

“Your attorney has turned your case over to his nephew in Colorado. His name is Alan George. He knows the laws in Colorado. Every state has their own family laws. You are the one that went to Colorado voluntarily and set down roots even if it was temporary. You said you filed for a driver’s license, you signed papers pertaining to Dra being B’s dad, and you moved your bank accounts and were added to Dra’s account. You want this to be legal, so you must follow the rules. So, get your butt out of the bed and go and meet your attorney. When you get back then we will discuss who is going with you to Colorado. You might as well get there early so you can meet with Mr. George and be prepared.” My mind is in overdrive but I can’t make my body move. I’ve made no decisions. “Hit the shower girl, unless you want to meet your attorney smelling like a smoke-filled bar. I am taking B with me to visit Rainbow.” I get out of bed and almost walk right into the wall. I hear laughter and it is my B who is laughing at me.

“Silly momma,” B says. I rub my head.

“She is silly, isn’t she?” Aunt Deb asks. She brings B to me and I kiss her cheek.

“Love you sweet B.” B rubs my kiss off. Something she has picked up lately and I am not happy about it at all.

“Love you momma,” B tells me laughing. I kiss her quickly and rub it in. She pushes my hand away. It’s a game we play. I kiss Aunt Deb’s cheek too.

“Thank you, Aunt Deb.” Aunt Deb turns and walks out the door with my daughter. “What time do I need to be at the meeting?” I look at my clock beside the bed. It’s after noon already. Crap. I gather my clothes and get my shower. I try to stay out of my head and not overthink this. I miss Dra but thinking about flying back to Colorado is terrifying. What if Dra brings Sunshine with him? No, I will not worry. I can do this. I am not the same Maddie. I am stronger than that. I will not let Dra drag me back. I am a grown ass woman and will do what I decide is right. That’s right, I said grown ass woman! I hurry through my shower and run to the kitchen and grab an apple to take with me. Aunt Deb and B wave at me from outside of the barn and I am in my jeep and on the way to town.

The drive to town is uneventful and I make my way inside Mr. Jessup’s office. Margie his receptionist is sitting and smiling as I open the door to walk in. That woman is always smiling. She waves at me and I take a seat. About fifteen minutes later Mr. Jessup walks out of his office and motions me over.

“How are you this morning Ms. Bass?” I walk in the door that he opens for me and he follows me in. I sit in the big chair across from his desk, and he goes around and sits down.

“I’m doing alright, Mr. Jessup, just a little confused. I thought we were going to court here in Franklin County. Why do I need to go to Colorado?” Mr. Jessup is looking over paperwork.

“I hope that you didn’t mind letting your aunt know what is going on with the case. You signed a paper stating it was alright for your aunt or sister to get any information.” Mr. Jessup is always about the correct process.

“That is perfectly fine, Mr. Jessup. That is why I set it up the way I did. Now, about going to Colorado.” I want to stay on topic.

“Yes, that is a small complication that I did not see. It seems that the last ten months or so that you did not reside in Franklin County in the state of Texas. You seemed to have been on a little adventure with your daughter Betsy, which in itself is fine. In the last few weeks though you were married in the state of Nevada while staying in Colorado. You purchased a vehicle in your name there and applied for a Colorado driver’s license. You also transferred your banking to a financial institution in Sunshine, Colorado. You put in to have your social security card changed and used a Colorado address and established a physician for said daughter, Betsy. Is all this information accurate?” I don’t think about it but for a few minutes. To buy the new SUV I needed a current identification card, so I did change everything. Everything he said is true.

“Yes, it is all correct,” I answer.

“Did you also sign an acknowledgement of paternity for Mr. Andrew Draven?” I think back to the papers I signed for Dra and I do believe that was one I signed.

“Is that the paper saying that Andrew is Betsy’s father? I did sign a letter pertaining to that, but Andrew had a paternity test done also so he already knew that she was his daughter.” I thought I was doing the right thing signing the papers.

“There lies the problem. Mr. Draven’s attorney filed papers to bring in question where yours and your minor daughter’s legal domicile is at. This is only a preliminary hearing and is not the divorce case or custody. The only thing in question is legal residence. I would say it is a ploy to get you back in the state of Colorado. There is nothing that Mr. Draven can do to keep you there, but it would look better for appearances sake for you to show up for the court date. Your aunt did say you were served with papers to testify in the case. Therefore, if you do not show up for court a warrant can be issued for your arrest. You must go or face the consequences. I could file a motion for you not to be there, but it would be thrown out and to be honest you need to show the judge that you are a reasonable person that follows the court rulings and it will work to your advantage when we get into the custody part of the divorce.” I am going to be forced to go.

“Do I need to take Betsy with me?” Mr. Jessup looks at me.

“Ms. Bass, it would be better to give Mr. Draven access to his child. It will look better on you in the long run. Alan, my nephew, is one of the best family attorneys in the state of Colorado, just follow his directions and you will be fine. I have full confidence in his abilities. Do you need help with planning to get to Colorado? I can have one of the secretaries help, if you need it.” Mr. Jessup does not seem worried, so I am not going to worry. Am I going to like walking into a courtroom with Dra in it? No. Will I do it? Yes. I make it back to my jeep and back home without wrecking. How, you ask? I have no idea. My brain will not slow down. I thought the next time I was to see Dra it would be in my home state. Where I am comfortable. Life is always throwing me wild balls, and this is no different. The thing at the back of my head that I have refused to let out to anyone is what if I am pregnant? What happens then? I have refused to let myself even entertain the thought. By the end of next week, I should have my answer. Nope, shutting this train of thought down right now. I go straight to my Aunt Deb’s office and she is not there, and I look at my watch and it is nearly two. I know Aunt Deb usually eats a snack right before it is time for B’s nap when they are spending the day together. I head for the kitchen and Micah is there in her sleep shirt and boy shorts she sleeps in with Aunt Deb and a very sleepy looking B. I see they are having peanut butter and banana sandwiches for a snack and Aunt Deb is eating her favorite peanut butter and celery.

“Looks like I am just in time.” I grab the jelly out of the refrigerator. “Is everyone sharing?”

“Yes, Momma. I like peanut butter and nana,” B says. I can’t get her to say banana for anything. It’s not a speech thing, just a stubborn Bass female thing.

“Banana.” Aunt Deb and Micah say at the same time. I laugh. B smiles. I set the jelly down on the table and get a teaspoon and a plate. I grab the peanut butter and put some on my plate and then add the jelly and mix it up. When I am sure I have it mixed just right, I take a teaspoon and put it across my bread being sure to spread it evenly and then add another. When I am done, I lick the spoon with a smile on my face. Aunt Deb shakes her head at me. We have debated the best way to make a great peanut butter and jelly sandwich and I always insist mine is best. Just the right amount of jelly and peanut butter in each bite. I refuse to have it any other way.

“Is there a trip to Colorado in our near future?” Aunt Deb asks. Aunt Deb is not one to travel so I am shocked by her use of the word “our”. I halt the progress of my sandwich to my mouth.

“You’re coming with me?” Aunt Deb looks at me like I am crazy.

“Of course, I am. I am not going to send you back to Colorado without me. The only way you are staying in Colorado is if I am sure that is what you want.” I am shocked. Micah is too.

“I’m going too and what is this thing about Maddie staying? I thought you were liking it being back here and letting your freak out with me.” I wouldn’t go that far but I have no intentions of not coming back here.

“I am coming back, and I love being home.” I look straight at Aunt Deb waiting for an explanation.

“See, Aunt Deb, I told you that Maddie rocks this stripper thing.” I look at B horrified.

“Do not say s-t-r-i-p-p-e-r in front of B.” Micah laughs at me.

“It’s not a dirty word, Maddie. It’s perfectly legal too. Prude much?” Micah is making fun of me.

“I do not want my daughter to know that I am taking my c-l-o-t-h-e-s off in front of people.” I can feel my face getting red and B doesn’t even know what we are talking about.

“Maddie, dancers need to make a living too and we do not judge people in this house on how they do that. From the pictures I have seen you have on as many clothes as some women do at the lake or a beach.” My eyes go from Aunt Deb to Micah. Pictures!?

“What have you done, Micah?” I am furious.

“I may or may not have sent Aunt Deb and Dra a few pictures of your practices. Oh, and yeah, a little video.” She did what? I could kill my sister and it would be justifiable homicide.

“Dra might use that against me in court.” My mind goes over the times that I have practiced with Micah. Not good.

“Chill your tits, sister. I sent the video of when you nailed that routine and you looked hot. It was yesterday afternoon when we started doing shots. The bar wasn’t even open and there was nothing but women in there. We were having a fantastic time and I sent it from my phone, not yours. I didn’t get a response. He probably just deleted it. I don’t remember you being so up-tight.” Micah has no idea.

“It’ll be alright Maddie. When do we need to fly out?” Aunt Deb asks.

“Court is Tuesday and I need to talk to Mr. George on Monday,” I answer, trying to get my thoughts in order.

“Why don’t we fly on Friday? We can stay in Boulder and see the sights. I imagine that Dra will want time with B too. You know what? We can fly out tomorrow if I can get the tickets and make this a little vacation. I haven’t had a real vacation in years.” Aunt Deb stops and looks at me. “You need to think about everything I told you a few days ago. If you are going to stop this divorce it is time, before you and Dra and your attorneys say and do things that can’t be taken back. There’s some things that Krill let me in on and I think Dra needs a chance to explain them to you. I think Dra and Krill have been waiting on me to tell you, but it is not my place. I did not make this mess, and I am not cleaning it up. You, young lady, need to give Dra a chance to explain.”

“I agree that you and Dra need time to talk, but it is so you can get closure. A clean break is what you need.” Micah gives me her two cents worth.

“Do you think we can afford to take that much time away from the ranch?” I try to find any excuse to put this off.

“Our foreman is good at his job. This ranch almost runs itself with him here. It will be fine for a week or so.” Micah and I both swing our heads at the same time towards Aunt Deb. Never in my life has Aunt Deb been gone from this ranch for over five days and that was when she had appendicitis and had an operation and even then, she was on the phone with the foreman ten times a day. “What? I can’t want to see something outside of Texas? This will be fun. An adventure of sorts. We are going to visit Dra and his family.” Where is my aunt and who is this woman?

“I want to see Daddy. I miss Daddy. Uncle Kill too.” B shocks us all. I scoot my peanut butter sandwich away, my appetite now forgotten. I stand up and walk to B and stoop down to her eye level.

“Baby, we will see Daddy and Uncle Krill soon. We are going to Colorado. You want to call Daddy tonight and tell him?” I am close to tears. My baby wants her daddy. Then I remember how hard it was growing up without a dad. My Mom and Aunt Deb loved us something fierce, but I always wanted what all my friends had, a mom and a dad. I know, crazy, right? I was six and that is what I wished for every night. I know I had a great life, and I was very lucky, but a six-year old does not understand that. All I understood was that my family was different than most of my friends. I want to give B everything, and never want her to feel that way. Something to consider. B starts clapping her hands and brings my attention back to now. I can only do my best. I look at Micah and I see that she knows what I am thinking. She nods her head yes. I understand that she is giving me her support.

“I’ll make the reservations. Pack a bag, girls. We are going to have an adventure,” Aunt Deb says and claps her hands like B. They are laughing together. I go back around and sit down and eat my sandwich. I don’t think it tastes as good as it would have just a few minutes ago.