“Yippee,” I say sarcastically.
Mrs. Nelson’s eyes go to mine, and I see kindness mixed with pain. “To find out I have a grandchild that way is unthinkable. To find out the extent my husband and son have gone to make sure my grandchild suffers is incomprehensible and disgusting. I want no part of their games.”
“Why are you here then?” I ask her.
“I come with a much-belated peace offering.”
I scoff and Ally shoots daggers my way.
“You have every right to be suspicious, I would be if I were in your shoes. I’m sorry. But please, let me say what I need to.”
“Go ahead,” Ally tells her.
“I know about the tear down of the park and how my husband isn’t willing to negotiate. This is beyond unacceptable and frankly I wonder if my husband has a shred of human decency left. So, I’m here with a request. I want to be a part of Lacey’s life. I would love to be her grandmother or whatever title you want to give me, and I also want to support the both of you. If Austin . . .” She pauses again and takes a deep breath. “If he wasn’t in the pickle he’s in, he would’ve taken care of you. He would’ve brought you home to us.”
“What do you mean, support us?” Ally asks.
“Child support and a place to live. I won’t stand for my grandchild and her mother living on the streets or in some shelter or some drug-infested neighborhood. You need a safe place to raise her, nurture her. You need a place to call home. I don’t care about the cost, wherever you want to live, I’ll pay for it.”
“I knew it,” I say. “You Nelsons just buy everyone off with your money.”
“I don’t know what you mean,” Mrs. Nelson says.
“Right. You’re going to pretend you don’t know Adam came to me with a check to stay away from Thea?”
Mrs. Nelson’s eyes go wide. She shakes her head and looks down at the ground. Finally, she reaches for Ally’s hand. “Please think about my offer. It’s not going anywhere. Whether, today, tomorrow or a year from now, it’ll always be there.”
“I don’t want Mr. Nelson anywhere near Lacey. I don’t trust him.”
She laughs. “Oh, sweetie. Don’t you worry. He won’t be anywhere near that little girl or you.”
“I don’t understand,” Ally says. “Why?”
“It’s simple. I’m disappointed with Austin’s choice of lifestyle. He didn’t need to sell drugs to make a living, and now I’ve learned he has a child. A child I very much want to know and love. But if this isn’t something you’re comfortable with, I understand. The money is still going to come to you. My son owes you that much.”
“You’re going to pay me money even if I don’t let you see Lacey?” Ally asks.
“Of course,” she says. “I am nothing like my husband. I don’t deal in ultimatums. I do what’s right, and this is right. You are owed child support to help raise your daughter.” She reaches into her purse and hands Ally an envelope. “My number is on the front. When you find a place, call me, and I’ll take care of the rest.”
Mrs. Nelson stands and slings her purse over her shoulder. “As for Adam and the check, cash it, but don’t you dare give up on Thea. She’s one of a kind and a true gem. If you’re lucky enough to be loved by her, take it and run.” She nods at both of us and then sees herself out.
After the door closes, Ally opens the envelope and gasps. “Ky, there’s so much in here.”
“Good, but it comes with a price.”
“What if the price is genuine?”
What if? Unfortunately, the only person who would know, is the one person I don’t want to speak to.
What if?
Twenty-Nine
Thea
Can we talk?
I stareat the three words on my phone screen for what seems like hours. They were sent in the middle of the night, three nights ago, and I still haven’t replied. I can’t find the right words to convey how I’m feeling: hurt, frustration, guilt, sadness, fury, disappointment, determination. I’m a clichéd roller coaster of emotion. If I were reading about myself as a main character in a book, I’d be yelling to pull myself together. To get a grip and take control. To manifest the ideal outcome for the situation I’m in. They’re all good pieces of advice, but I’m still trying to master the art of manifesting. Either that, or the world just doesn’t want to listen right now.