I took her words to heart, as I applied my makeup. I rarely wore eye makeup, but today I did a full smoky eye with a dark lipstick. I braided my hair and then wound it into a French twist. I pulled on black tailored pants with a patterned top that skimmed over my stomach. When I stepped in front of the mirror, I was shocked. I looked older, practically a professional.
The doorbell rang, so I grabbed my purse and headed to the door. When I pulled it open, I saw that I’d taken the correct approach. Ford’s dad was wearing an extremely nice three-piece suit. He gave me a quick glance and nodded his approval at my outfit.
On the way over, he prepped me on how we would approach them. “I was going to take the lead. Hopefully, I could implore them to drop the charges without resorting to threats.”
“It’s not a threat, it’s a promise,” I interjected quietly. He gave me a quick look and said, “I don’t doubt it is, but I’d still like to avoid any antagonism, if possible.” I nodded at him, accepting his decision. “If that doesn’t work, which from your assessment I don’t think it will, I’ll pull out the papers charging them with child abandonment. I’ll outline what the charges will mean for them. If they continue to push back, I’ll explain to them how Ford will go to our family friend, the editor of the paper, and mention the entire sordid story.” He heard my gasp at the thought of telling our story to the news. “I know you don’t want Colt to know, and I don’t believe it will come to that, but they don’t know that. Keep our aces, ok?”
“Understood.”
Once we were at their door, I felt my heart start to race. I hadn’t been back here, since the day they’d changed the locks. I couldn’t help but stare at the new doorknob. They’d changed the entire thing, apparently. As he pressed the doorbell I heard the chimes echo through the house, and I closed my eyes to steady my nerves. I was here for Ford.
My mother opened the door after a moment, dressed impeccably of course. I saw a faint glint of surprise when she saw me. Mr. Anderson spoke immediately, “Good morning, Mrs. Brignac, I was wondering if we could have a word?” He was nothing but charming, and my mother couldn’t help but simper at him. Even after throwing his son in jail, she believed she could use him to enter the coveted social circle.
“But of course. Won’t you come in?” she replied, graciously, completely ignoring me. “Can I get you anything? Coffee? Tea?”
“No, thank you. My Dani made a huge breakfast this morning,” he answered, patting his flat stomach. I was irritated by the pleasantries, but it was part of the game that must be played. He wanted to lull my parents into a sense of security, and he was using camaraderie to do it.
Either they’d give in to what he wanted to retain the imagined relationship, or I’d stick it to them. I rather hoped we’d get to the point where I stuck it to them. Being in this house reminded me of the hundreds of moments they belittled me and the day they finally determined I was no longer worthy to be their daughter.
We settled down onto the couch; Mother across in the armchair she loved, while Father stood behind her. A scene I’d witnessed many times.
I kept a brittle smile on my face, as Mr. Anderson began talking. “I’d like to discuss the situation with Ford. It’s seems like we have a slight misunderstanding. I’ve spoken with Ford and Hannah here, and while their living together appears inappropriate, their relationship is nothing but platonic.” His good ol’ boy charm was in full effect, as he smiled at my parents.
My mother gave him an icy smile in return before she said, “Obviously Ford is lying. Or did they neglect to mention that Hannah is pregnant? Last time I checked, that indicates a less than platonic relationship.”
“I believe we all know that the baby isn’t Ford’s. Bringing the law into this situation was unnecessary. This is a matter between the families,” he replied, keeping the smile firmly in place. I admit I was impressed. He held onto his temper, in spite of my mother’s digs, but I knew this would only end my way.
“The only way to know it isn’t Ford’s baby is with a paternity test. I do believe it’s rather damning that they openly live with one another. We have no idea what Hannah is being exposed to,” Mother answered arrogantly.
“And why is it that Hannah is living with Ford and not her loving parents?” Mr. Anderson asked, pointedly.
“A misunderstanding. Our Hannah is a strong willed girl,” she answered airily, obviously not expecting a contradiction from me. My lips curled up in a bitter smile at her inability to realize my hatred at that moment.
“Hmmm, that’s interesting, because I was informed it was because you had thrown Hannah out. She was living in her car when Ford took her into his home,” he replied, with a tight smile. Mother’s smile faltered for a second before she fixed it back into place. My father had yet to utter a word and I’d be surprised if he ever did. Mother wrote his sermons, chose his clothes and generally ran his life for him.
“We’d never do something like that,” Mother exclaimed, looking horrified. She turned to me, finally acknowledging I was in the room. “Sweetie, I can’t imagine you would believe we’d turn you away. We’re your parents. We support you.” Her words were sickeningly sweet and completely unbelievable.
“So, packing the clothes you thought I deserved and leaving them in the driveway, changing the locks on the doors, meeting me outside to tell me I was no longer welcome in your home, and ignoring my pleas? I misunderstood those things?” I question her, my voice razor sharp.
Ford’s dad remained silent, allowing me to dissect my mother’s inhumanity.
“We were hasty in our judgment,” she finally answered, unapologetic. “We realized our error after praying.” Sanctimonious bitch, I thought to myself, before catching the look Ford’s dad shot me. We still hadn’t issued our ultimatum, and I needed to remain calm.
“And when did you come to this conclusion that you had made an error? Was it after I lived in my car for three weeks? Or anytime in the last two months I’ve stayed with Ford? Did I somehow miss your phone call begging my forgiveness for your actions?” I asked, my voice as cold as hers had been.
“Don’t be petty. We’re here now to help you, and you could appreciate it. Living in sin with a man, having intercourse outside of the bounds of marriage, you should be grateful we’re punishing that young man and willing to take you back home.”
Ford’s dad looked utterly stunned at the outrageousness of my mother’s statement. I gently shook my head, as I rolled my eyes. “I don’t recall asking you for your assistance and no, I don’t appreciate what you’ve done.”
Mother gave a giant sigh and glared at me, “You ungrateful whore. Your father and I have given you everything. A loving home, a godly example, food to eat and this is how you repay us? A bastard child,” she paused, looking away as if she was overcome.
I glanced at Mr. Anderson’s stunned face, as I waited for her to finish. She’d always had a flair for the dramatic. “But we’re good Christians, and as such, willing to overlook your indiscretions. We’ve found a lovely home for the baby; a wealthy couple that can’t have a child of their own. They’re eager to meet you and sign adoption papers.”
Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner folks.
I’d wondered what their angle was. It wasn’t like my mother to do anything that didn’t directly benefit her. I laughed unpleasantly before saying, “How much are you trying to sell my baby for?” My voice was lethal and anyone with a brain would have immediately begun backpedaling. Obviously, my mother didn’t have one, because she began protesting.
“Hannah, how could you think we would sell the baby? Do you really think we’re that type of people?” she said, resting her hand over her heart. I raised my eyebrow and waited. “The couple understands the expense of an unplanned pregnancy and the emotional strain our family is under at this time. They’ve graciously offered to assist us financially during this time.”
“How much?” I demanded, my voice arctic by then.
“If you must be so vulgar, th
ey’ve offered seventy-five thousand to compensate us for this difficult time,” she admitted, her tone haughty.
I wouldn’t even grace that with an answer. I turned toward Mr. Anderson, my eyes burning with rage, as I spat out, “Finish this.”
He cleared his throat and turned toward my mother. “You will drop the charges against Ford.”
Quick as a snake, Mother went for her opening, “Once Hannah signs the adoption agreement.”
“No. That won’t be happening. We’re going down to the police station now and you will drop the charges,” he commanded, any relaxed camaraderie gone by then.
Mother gave a wicked laugh, as she said, “I don’t think so.”
“Oh, I think you will. You see Hannah and I will be going down there to file child abandonment charges against you and your husband,” he told her, a wolfish smile on his face. I could see why Mr. Anderson made an exceptional lawyer. He was about to make mincemeat out of my mother, and I was going to enjoy every second.
“Excuse me? You have no basis for that,” Mother said, her eyes darting to me, unsure then.
“Oh, I know we do. There are witnesses that observed Hannah living in her car and sworn testimony from Hannah. Even your housekeeper will testify that you had her pack Hannah’s belongings and gave them away at the church clothes closet.” He kept smiling that predatory smile. “The charges of course will only be the beginning. I’ll sue you for defamation of my son, and I have no doubt your congregation will be keeping abreast of the entire trial in the paper. You’ll be lucky if you can hold your head up anywhere in the state of Texas when I’m done with you.”
“Hannah wouldn’t testify against us,” Mother said desperately, trying to regain control over a situation that had just spiraled completely out of her hands.
“Of course I would. It would be my profound pleasure to tell the world exactly what kind of people you are,” I answered quietly, never looking away from her eyes. I saw the desperate fear in them at my words and it gave me a savage satisfaction.
Everything she’d ever done was for her advantage. She’d thrown me out believing I was a worthless whore, at least until she’d found a way to make money off my baby. Then she’d been willing to attempt to destroy a good man’s life to get control over me.
“Hannah and I are headed over to the police station now. If you aren’t there dropping the charges when we arrive, we will press charges against you,” Ford’s dad informed them, as he took my arm and headed for the door.
I paused and looked back at them, still frozen in their places, unapologetic to the end. “You rejected me never knowing my true worth. Today, I look at you knowing exactly how worthless you are and I’m grateful to be away from you.”
Ford
Chapter Nine
It was late when I finally let myself in the apartment. She was curled up on the couch in a pair of my sweats, an empty cereal bowl on the coffee table in front of her. She’d obviously tried to stay up until I got home.
I collapsed on the couch next to her. This was not how I pictured this weekend going. I’d wanted to take her to dinner and celebrate her birthday. She was convinced there was no reason to celebrate, as if her being pregnant somehow nullified her birthday.
Instead, I was arrested and handcuffed at my father’s law firm, dragged down to the police station and accused of statutory rape. The absolute last thing I’d ever do.
I laughed to myself. Even with all that, Hannah had been the one to rescue me. She’d made a fan of Detective Michaels in short order. That man didn’t like me at all when they’d brought me in, but after he’d talked to Hannah he’d changed his tune.
I needed to put Hannah in the bed, but I wasn’t willing to touch her, until I’d showered. I headed to the shower and scrubbed myself. I thought back over the day, as the hot water ran over me.
I noticed the officers in the lobby, but it wasn’t an unusual sight for me. Dad did depositions in the office regularly. I was headed back to my desk, when I saw Norma look over at me worriedly and the officers heading in my direction.
“Ford Anderson?” one of them asked, an Officer Bartlett, according to his name tag.
“Yes. How may I help you?” I asked, politely.
“You’re under arrest for statutory rape,” the other officer told me, grabbing and twisting me around. I heard the click of the handcuffs, as everyone looked on in shock. They read me my rights, as they escorted me out of the building. I told Norma to have Dad meet me at the precinct.
When we arrived, they immediately booked me; taking fingerprints, mug shots and searching me. I demanded my phone call and dialed Hannah, praying she’d answer. I heard her say hello and released the breath I’d been holding. I explained, while trying to avoid admitting the charge, worried how she’d react to it. She weaseled it out of me and argued when I told her not to come. I heard the dial tone a second later. Stubborn woman.
Eventually, they sat me in a room by myself and I was left to cool my heels, until someone came to get me.
Finally, a detective strolled in. “I’m Detective Michaels.”
“I’m Ford. Has my father arrived?”
“He has. I’d like to ask you a few questions,” the detective replied. “You’ve been charged with statutory rape of Hannah Brignac.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I said, looking up and shaking my head. “Her parents. Of course.”
“So you know Hannah?” Detective Michaels asked.
“Of course. I’ve known her for three years. In fact, she lives with me,” I replied.
“You are aware she is sixteen years old?” Detective Michaels asked, disgusted.
“Yes. In fact, we were going to celebrate her birthday tonight. Her seventeenth birthday,” I shot back.
“How old are you?”
“Twenty-one.”
“How long have you been living together?”
“Since June.”
“Have you had sexual relations with Hannah?”
“NO.”
“But you live together?”
“People have roommates.”
“They’re generally not sixteen.”
“Our circumstances are unusual.”
Another detective came in and whispered something to Detective Michaels. He eyed me, as he said, “It looks like Hannah Brignac is here to give a statement. I wonder what she’ll have to say.”
“I can’t wait for you to find out,” I replied, with the first grin I’d had, since the officers arrested me.
“You seem very confident for a young man facing a serious charge.”
“I know Hannah. You’re operating under false pretenses,” I told him. “I’d like to speak with my father.”
“Very well. I’ll send him in, while I speak with Miss Brignac.”
I drummed my hands on the metal table as I waited. I was pissed Hannah came here, but grateful that she could straighten everything out.
I knew there was no way I was getting out of here without explaining the situation to my dad. I heard the door open behind me, and I looked at my dad. He’d aged ten years this afternoon. They left the handcuffs off, so I stood up and hugged him.
I knew he didn’t understand what was going on, but I was glad he was here. He patted my back then pulled back and looked at me.
“What the hell is going on? I know you didn’t have sex with Hannah. Why are her parents pressing charges against you?”
“It’s a long story. You might want to sit down.”
My dad sat heavily in the chair vacated by Detective Michaels. “I’m not going to like this, am I?”
“Nope. But hear me out. I did what I thought was right.”
I told him everything. He never interrupted me, but I could tell he wanted to. When I finally finished, he rubbed his hands over his face. He didn’t speak, and neither did I. It was going to take him a few minutes to absorb everything.
He looked like he wanted to say something, but stopped himself. This went on for a couple
of minutes before he finally spoke.
“You never thought to tell your mother and I?” I sensed his pain in that statement, and I regretted it.
“I did, but I thought it best not to. We couldn’t let anything interfere with Colt leaving.”
“You don’t think Colt has a right to know?” he shouted, his anger spilling out. I flinched at his words, “He’s the one thing I do regret in all of this. Colt does have a right to know, and I’m betraying him.
“Yes, he does.” I didn’t waver, as I looked at him. “He also has a right to pursue his dream—a dream that would be destroyed if he knew. Hannah made the decision, and I respect it.”
“And I am a father. Your father,” he spat out. “You have no idea what that means.” He shook his head and leaned back. “Your brother has a right to make that decision.”
The Anderson Brothers Complete Series Page 9
