“This conversation isn’t over with yet,” Mack says sternly. “Come straight to the suite when you’re done.”
I don’t say anything and this conversation is closed. If the boxing commission finds out about this, I’ll be disqualified to fight. I made a terrible mistake, and I have been paying for it every day since then. I was drunk, young, and stupid and none of those are excuses. There is no excuse to hitting a woman. I was never charged with the assault so there is no record that I was involved. Surprisingly no one from the party said anything. I paid the girl off and she accepted as long as I stayed away from her and we never spoke of this again. I had no idea she was pregnant. She never said anything about a child. So why is this resurfacing now?
When the room clears and Bobby, Mr. Pelayo, and I are the only ones in the room, Mr. Pelayo demands answers. “Who is going to tell me what that shit was all about?”
I get ready to tell him when Bobby speaks up and says, “I have no idea what she’s talking about.” Leah would not be happy about me lying about this.
“And you?” he says looking at me.
I look at Bobby and just a few minutes ago, I thought he paid her off to say something. Now, I have no idea. “I’m in the dark,” I lie.
“Abel, you know if the boxing commission finds any truth to this, this will destroy your career in boxing.”
“Yes, Sir,” I say. “There isn’t any truth to anything she said.”
“Well, let’s hope not.” He looks from me and then to Bobby. “I’ll be in touch. I imagine they are already questioning the reporter and searching for the truth. Stay out of trouble, no fighting and be present for the Blackjack Tournament tonight. I expect you both to be on your best behavior.”
“Yes, sir,” we say in unison.
Robert
I follow Kennedy out of the room and the hallways are empty. No hint that a press conference just took place less than a half hour ago. Kennedy stops at the elevators and says, “Bobby, I don’t know what to say.”
“I didn’t do that for you. I did that for me.” I get on the elevator and leave Kennedy standing there. It took everything I had to not tell everyone the truth. I have spoken to his ex-girlfriend several times after the abuse and she told me she and Kennedy worked out a deal. I didn’t pry. Whatever they worked out was none of my business. I visited her often while she was in the hospital. I tried to talk her into pressing charges or going to a home for battered women, but she wouldn’t listen to me. Once I knew she was going to be all right I never contacted her again. I don’t want him to be disqualified. I want to fight him and win the championship belt fair and square. I want to beat him like he beat her.
I enter the hotel suite and everyone is sitting at the bar. “What in the hell was that about?” Dad asks.
“Kennedy’s limp is fake.” I don’t say it to distract them, I say it because right now, that is the most important thing going on.
“What?” Gus asks, “How do you know that.”
“I’ve been watching him. His limp was originally on his left leg, then it was his right leg, and just now, he didn’t have one at all. He’s using it as a tactic to throw me off when we fight.”
“Are you sure about that?” Tim asks.
I get my laptop and show them the video on YouTube that I watched last night, then I show them the video that Dove made. I wait as they watch the video’s.
“Oh, that sly son of a gun,” Dad says.
“Good job, Bobby,” Gus says. "Is this what you were working on last night?”
“It was. Today, I confirmed it. Kennedy was preoccupied with something else and he must have forgotten he had a limp, or that he was supposed to have a limp.”
Everyone laughs and Dad asks, “What’s going on with Kennedy at the press conference?”
“I have no idea.” That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
“He could be in serious trouble if anything she said is the truth. He’ll be disqualified and they’ll find you someone else to fight.”
“Well, let’s hope there isn’t any truth to that.” Because I really want to kick his ass. “I’m going to the gym before the Blackjack Tournament tonight.”
After a serious workout and a hot shower, I call Leah. We fly home tomorrow and it can’t come soon enough. Gus, Tim, Dad, and I have dinner at the Jasmin Restaurant inside of the Bellagio. It’s upscale with some of the best food I have ever had.
I see that Kennedy is here with his team. I look around to see if he has a date and he doesn’t. Drake Sinclair is also here sitting at the table with Mr. Pelayo and several other men. Does that man ever wear anything other than a suit?
Dad, Gus, Tim, and I have dinner and we all watch as Kennedy and his team leave. Kennedy’s limp has miraculously reappeared. They all look at me and nod. Yeah, if Kennedy thinks he is going to trick me into thinking he has a handicap during our fight, he has another thing coming.
I call Leah and check in on her and Gracie before the tournament starts. The baby is screaming in the background when Leah answers. “Hold on, Robert, she's starving,” Leah says, laughing. When the baby quiets, which is almost immediately, Leah returns to the phone. "I’m sorry, I couldn’t get my boob out fast enough."
“She is one lucky baby.”
“Robert.” Leah tries to speak sternly, but she giggles.
“If I cry, maybe I’ll get lucky, too.”
“You’re all talk when you’re away. But when you’re home, it’s all about waiting for six weeks. So, which is it?”
Damn it. I forgot again about waiting six weeks. I think about it and my dick gets hard. “There’s other forms of sex. We don’t need penetration to have an organism.” Why didn’t I think of this sooner? Probably, because I always want to be buried deep inside her.
“Really? You’re willing to —”
I interrupt and say, “— do whatever it takes to get my girl off? You bet.”
I swear I can hear her moan. “When are you coming home? I don’t think I can wait.”
“Not soon enough.”
We have to walk through the slot machines to get to the card tables. Although I am wearing a suit and tie, I feel underdressed. Some people are here in tuxedos and evening gowns. I’m suddenly grateful Leah packed two suits for me. This is definitely an event for high rollers.
My team and I enter the Blackjack Tournament after we show our passes to security. Every doorway is being monitored by cameras and security. They have a specific room reserved for the tournament and it’s by invitation only.
We walk around, order a few drinks, and observe the players. The games are interesting to watch and the players have their game faces on. It’s almost impossible for me to tell who is bluffing and who isn’t.
I am going to teach Gracie how to play poker when she is young, so I can learn the “tells” that reveal when she is bluffing, aka lying. That way, when she begins dating, I'll know when she is lying about going to study at the library when she really plans to meet a boy.
I stay for most of the tournament, not because I have to, but because I find it interesting to watch. Professional card players. Now that’s a job I want. Dad, Tim, and Gus left a long time ago. I watch Kennedy from the corner of my eye and his limp is more prevalent than it was. I smile and try hard not to laugh.
I leave when they announce the winner. When I get to the elevator, Kennedy is standing there waiting for it. We both get on together not speaking or acknowledging the other. We exit the elevator together and just before I open the door to my suite, I say, “If you’re going to fake a limp, you really need to remember which leg is injured.” I don’t wait for a response when I hear him chuckle. I walk into my suite and close the door behind me.
Before we leave for the airport the next morning, I collect the unused money from everyone that the hotel gave us. I know from experience that they won’t expect it back. It’s our payment for being here this weekend. I place the money in a large manila envelope and call the American Red Cross
and tell them there is a donation waiting for them at the front desk of the Bellagio Hotel and Casino.
Leah
Mom, Margie, Gracie, and I wait patiently for the guys to get home. We are such things as potato salad and are planning on a small cookout for the guys. Robert has been gone since Friday and I have missed him.
There is a knock at the door and when I go to answer it, an attractive woman in her thirties is standing there. Her short black hair is cut almost identical to mine.
“Hi, may I help you?” I don’t know her, but she looks vaguely familiar.
“I’m sorry, it appears that I may have the wrong house. I was looking for the Evans residents,” she says, looking at the address on the house.
“Yes, you do. There are no Evanses in this house.”
“Thank you, I’m sorry to bother you,” she says and walks away.
“No problem.” I close the door and tend to the potato salad I was making. When the guys get back, we have a relaxing time by the pool. Gracie is starting to stay up longer and she is also starting to make eye contact with us. Robert talks softly to her and she just watches him as I watch her. She is amazing and I can’t get enough of her.
Later that night Robert tells me that Drake was in Las Vegas at the hotel. He also tells me that he is a major sponsor for the championship fight. I’m shocked to hear this. I tell him about Chelsea, Madison, and Caden being at the book store when I went in to get some things. I also tell him how sad she was about possibly losing custody of Madison. “You know she compared the pain of losing Madison to the pain of losing Jamie,” I say.
Robert looks at me and says, “I hate to hear that. I don’t think I considered that.”
“I didn’t either. She said she’ll be mourning two children: Madison and Jamie.” I put my hand over my heart to try to ease the pain. “Just the thought of Jamie’s death is almost too much to bare.
The next week we get a letter from the courts with the custody date on it. October 8th at 9:15 a.m. “It’s on Jamie's and Madison’s birthday.” I take several deep breaths and try to calm my racing heart. “Why would they do this on their birthday?”
“I don’t know, Sweets.” Robert holds me tightly.
“I’ve been waiting for this for so long, but now I’m not sure I’m ready.”
"Leah, it has to happen sometime. She’s our daughter and although this is so messed up, she’s still ours. It’s time we get to know her. It’s time she gets to know us.”
I nob, “I know, I want that. But what about the Sinclairs?”
“They’ll deal with it, Leah. They won’t have a choice.”
Later that night we talk to our parents about the court date. They all offer to go with us to court, but we decline. Someone has to watch Gracie and we don’t want anyone there with us. I’m not sure how this will all work out.
Today we meet with Bruce and discuss the hearing. Mom and Dad are watching Gracie at their house. When we get to Bruce’s offices, we don’t need to wait. We meet Bruce in his office instead of the conference room. I decided to wear a plain black dress with black stilettos. Robert is wearing a black suit and black tie.
We sit in the sitting area in his office. It appears to be a casual meeting but it’s anything but. Bruce sits across from us and says, “The court date is fast approaching. How do you feel?”
“Scared,” I blurt out.
“That’s understandable.”
I sadly say, “I wish there was another way.”
“I’m sorry, Leah.”
Bruce explains what we should expect in court. He tells us that the court will probably order us to family counseling. He tells us we won’t be ordered full custody on the day of the hearing. We’ll be ordered visitation first. It’ll begin slowly at first and then progress from there: “It’ll be a slow process, but it’ll be well worth it.”
“How long do you think the whole process will take?” Robert asks.
“The first priority will be to make the transition go smoothly for Madison. Then it’ll be to unite her to her biological family.” He looks from me then to Robert. “It may take six months, maybe longer.”
Robert asks, “In case the courts rule against us getting Madison, did you find anything on Drake that we might be able to use against him in court?”
“I thought for sure he was hiding something, but we couldn’t find anything. I wouldn’t worry too much that the courts will rule against you. Everything is in your favor.”
Bruce explains to us that there is a gag order on this case. That means there will be no reporters or camera’s allowed in the courtroom.
On the drive home we stop by the cemetery to visit with Jamie. A single white rose is on her grave and I know it’s from Chelsea and Drake. “It looks like she had another visit from her biological parents.”
I move the dead leaves out of the way and say, “Since the news of the baby swap, Jamie’s gravesite has been filling up. I think Chelsea and Drake visit often.” Robert and I would always leave flowers once a week unless it was a holiday, then we would leave other sentimental items.
“I’m glad they know they are welcome here,” Robert says.
We don’t stay long before we head home to get Gracie.
Robert
On Thursday, Leah had a girls’ day with her friends. While the girls had lunch, the guys took the kids to the park. Brice, Mason, and Alec were all there with their children. I stayed and spent some time talking to the guys, but we didn’t stay long. I soon realized that Gracie doesn’t like the Florida heat, even if she was in the shade.
When Leah returned, she had an S.U.V. full of stuff. She and the girls decided that Madison would need some things. Maybe she’s right. She came home in a better mood and for that, I am grateful. We are all stressed and worried about the upcoming court date. She smiles as she holds up several outfits, pajamas, and shoes. She also bought books, lamps, and curtains. We went online and ordered her a bedroom suite and it will be delivered next week.
The baby turned six weeks old on Friday. I celebrated her birthday by burying myself deep inside of my wife, more than once. It feels good to be with her again. When we weren’t making love, we were getting a spare bedroom ready for Madison. Not that we think she’ll be using it right away, but because we want her to have a room of her own when she comes. We want her to feel loved and welcomed.
We left Jamie’s room just the way it is. That will always be Jamie’s room. I can’t imagine it as anything else.
We have our court date scheduled for Tuesday. I’ve been working out mostly at home. Partly, because I don’t trust Drake Sinclair to do something stupid, but another reason is I worry about Leah and her depression. I’m not confident it won’t return. And the magnitude of this court hearing may be enough for the dark cloud to claim her.
On Monday, Leah takes Gracie to the shop with her. She said she has an appointment with Brooke to talk about her books, and she wants to talk to Dove about keeping her on full-time. Dove was just filling in while Leah was on maternity leave. Dove is a reporter at heart and I’m not sure the bookstore will be enough to fulfill her investigative instincts. I offered to keep Gracie, but she wants to take her to show her off.
While the girls are the shop, I go on my morning run. The court date isn’t upsetting only to Leah, it’s a lot to deal with for me. I meet Dad, Gus, and Tim for lunch and we go over my training schedule. It looks like we are all waiting for the court date to conclude. I guess they were taking it easy on me. Gus also informs me that the boxing commission didn’t find that Kennedy was involved in that assault with the girl. I have no idea how Kennedy and she settled that, but they did.
“Good, I guess that means the fight will go on as scheduled.”
“It will and I want you ready. After tomorrow, no more playing around. “I get you for eight hours a day, every day, training and I want you to focus only on the fight. The other sixteen hours in the day, you focus on the fight and do family stuff. Got it.”
&nb
sp; “I got it.”
When I get home, Leah and Gracie are already there. My mind should be on the fight, but today, it’s only on the court hearing. It’s hard to focus on anything else. Leah and I stay in and order Chinese food for dinner. We turned off the cell phones so we wouldn’t be interrupted. Although we don’t talk about tomorrow, I know it’s the only thing we can think about. If we don’t get custody of Madison, we’ll be heartbroken and if the Sinclairs lose custody of her, they’ll also be heartbroken. There isn’t a win-win in this case.
It seems that the nurse who was responsible for this should be punished or something. With all of the heartache that she caused, something should be done.
Leah sleeps intertwined with me. I don’t sleep and she doesn’t either. Tomorrow is a new chapter in our lives.
“Are you ready for tomorrow?” she whispers with her head resting on my chest.
“We don’t have a choice, do we?”
“No, I guess not. I’m scared.”
I turn so I can look her in her eyes. “You have no reason to be afraid. Do you hear me?”
“What if we go in there and they don’t acknowledge us as Madison’s family?”
“They will. How can they not?”
“Our little girls are six years old today.”
“It’s difficult to believe. We’ll take balloons to the cemetery later today,” I say.
“And we’ll take Madison’s gift to the courthouse with us?”
“Sounds like a plan.”
The next morning Leah spends most of it in the bathroom. I can hear her dry heaving from the bedroom. When she is upset, she always gets sick to her stomach. I try to go in and offer her support, but the door is locked. I know she hates me seeing her like that. “I’ll be out in a minute, Robert.”
I look at my watch and see that if we don’t leave soon, we’ll be late. “Okay, Sweets.”
I carry Gracie downstairs where our parents are waiting. The coffee pot is brewing and the aroma fills the air. I’ve already had three cups of black coffee this morning. I don’t need anymore. I see balloons and ballerina birthday cupcakes on the counter. “It looks like a birthday party,” I say trying to smile. Today is Jamie and Madison’s birthday. We still celebrate Jamie’s birthday even though she is no longer here. Today we have two daughters born on the same day and won’t be celebrating with either of them.
Against the Odds Page 16
