“Thank you,” McKinley says before slapping her hand over her mouth.
“No, it’s okay,” Misty assures her. “I could see, just from the small interaction, you love her very much. I can tell from the tears in your eyes as I told you my story. I’m glad you’re her mom. I gave birth to her, but you are the one who gives her love and affection. I don’t have that in me to give.”
“Someday?” McKinley says.
“Maybe. I’ve been seeing a therapist, which is long overdue.”
“I don’t know what to say to all of this,” I say.
Misty shrugs. “Nothing. I just wanted to tell you myself that my parents will no longer be an issue. I have money for my legal fees.” She reaches into her purse. “And here is the account information for the money I want to give her. There are no restrictions on it. It’s in your name and hers.”
She holds it out for me, and I stare at her hand.
“Evan, take it. I want to do this. I don’t know how to be a mom and I know I wouldn’t be good at it, but I want her to be whatever she wants to be. College, backpacking through Europe, whatever her heart desires—I want her to have the means to do it. I know you, and I know you will let her live her life, not hold her back. I want her to have this.” She shakes the account book at me. “Please,” she says softly.
I reach out and grab the book, setting it on the table. The doorbell rings and McKinley jumps up. “That’s the pizza. I’ll get it.” She turns to walk away.
“Babe,” I yell for her. When she turns, I toss her my wallet and she catches it with ease before quickly wiping the tears from her cheeks.
“You love her,” Misty says.
“I do.”
“Good. She’s good for you and your daughter.”
I need a break from this. “You need something to drink?” How can I stay angry with her when she did this for Lexi? She’s going to jail to keep my daughter safe with me.
“Sure, water if you have it.”
“I’ll be right back.” I flee from the room in search of McKinley.
I find Evan in the kitchen pulling three waters out of the refrigerator. He reaches for the boxes of pizza. “I guess it’s a good thing I ordered extra,” I tease him.
“Come here,” he says gruffly. He pulls me into his arms and buries his face in my neck. “I just need to hold you for a minute.”
I wrap my arms around his waist and hold on tight. I can only imagine the thoughts running through his head right now.
When he finally pulls back, he kisses my temple. “You think we should let her meet, Lexi?” he asks.
I want to scream no, but I believe her, she doesn’t want to be a mom, not right now anyway. “I think giving her the option would be nice. She’s had a rough life from the sound of it, and she did the right thing. They have no case now.” That also means our agreement will be up. A few more weeks, I would say for appearance’s sake, and then I will be leaving. I push that thought out of my mind for now.
“I wanted to ask you before I offered,” he tells me.
“It’s your choice, but I think the offer would be nice. Who knows when we will see her again, and Lexi is too young to remember her.” I know that sounds mean, but psychologically on Lexi, this will mean nothing, but it could mean everything to Misty.
“Will you call, Aaron? I’m going to have her come and make a plate, if she will,” he adds as an afterthought.
“Yes.” I kiss his cheek and he hands me his phone.
I dial my brother. “Hey, bro, everything good?” he asks.
“It’s me,” I say into the line. “Everything’s good, but it’s a long story. I hate to ask this, but can you bring Lex back? We have pizza,” I say to sweeten the pot.
“She still there?” he asks.
“Yes, but it’s really all good. I’ll explain when you get here. We are going to let her meet Lexi,” I tell him.
“Okay, I’ll wrangle her away from Mom and Dad and be right over.” The line goes dead as Evan and Misty enter the kitchen.