by Mary Smith
“Shut up,” is my only comeback.
Maxima pulls out biscuits from the oven. I can already see eggs and gravy on the stove.
“Your Dad and Arabella are out in the backyard exercising. Would you let them know everything is ready?” Maxima smiles.
“Sure.” I head out to the backyard where Arabella and Dad are doing pushups. I can remember him doing the same thing with me at Arabella’s age. “Time to eat, soldiers,” I announce.
Arabella jumps up and heads to the house, hugging me first. Dad is close behind, but asks to speak to me for a moment.
“What’s up?”
“Is your lawyer still having trouble getting Rickie’s records?”
“He said he was the last time I spoke to him.”
“Let me help. I can get them for you.”
I don’t want to put my parents in a position like that. I know they have high security clearances, but they don’t abuse their powers.
“I want my granddaughter safe, Remy.”
“I want the same thing.” I nod. “I never asked because—”
“I know,” he cuts me off. “I’m offering. I love you, and I have always had a bad feeling about Rickie.”
He had begged me not to marry her, but understood my reasoning for it.
“What about Maxima? Do you think I shouldn’t have married her?”
Dad shakes his head. “Maxima is an amazing person. You two are meant for each other.”
I chuckle. “Thanks, Dad.” Suddenly, an idea flashes in my mind. “Hey, since you’re looking into Rickie, do you think you can do one more search? As a favor. I know I’ve never asked before, and you can say no, because this one might be difficult.”
“Name it.”
I take a deep breath. “I want you to find Maxima’s family.”
The next day, my family heads off. I miss them, and I wish we lived closer but it’s great to spend time with them. With Cora now at The Pentagon, we are all so much closer, and I know we will be spending more time together.
I’m in the gym with the guys, lifting weights. Bas and Vance are talking about some TV show on BBC, or something like that. Cabel and Hamilton are spotting each other, while Kyson and Keaton use the ropes.
We continue, switching stations periodically, and before we realize it, we’ve been here for almost three hours. I’m a sweaty mess, just as are the guys. We hit the showers, and as we’re getting dressed, Kyson ask Hamilton something.
“Huh?” Hamilton turns. He’s standing in a towel. I’m not a shrimp or lanky, but being next to him makes me feel like I should work out more. The guy is massive.
“That book?” Kyson points to his locker. “I didn’t think southerners knew how to read.”
“Fuck you,” Hamilton growls and pulls the book out of his locker. “It’s a new mystery novel I heard about. It’s a newer author, Bret Knapp.”
Kyson and I glance over at Keaton, who’s pretending not to pay attention. We know Bret Knapp is Keaton’s pen name. There aren’t many people who know Keaton is a published author.
“Any good?” Cabel asks.
“Actually, it is.” Hamilton says.
“When are you and Maxima going to start popping out babies?” Keaton asks louder than need be. I know he’s trying to get the subject changed.
“We’re not.”
“Really?” Cabel seems stunned. “You seem to want more.”
I shrug. “It’s not in our future.”
“What about you, Pops?” Keaton asks Cabel.
“No. I’m perfectly fine with my two girls. They’ll be a handful all on their own.” He chuckles. “They’re like their Mom.”
“Did I hear Chloe is getting married?” Hamilton pulls on his shirt.
“Yes.” Cabel smiles. “Chloe is happy. She’s met a great lady, and they both seem to be in love.”
“I still find it strange you’re okay with your ex-wife, the mother of your children, being gay.” Keaton shakes his head. “I can’t believe you didn’t know.”
“Hey, Chloe and I have been best friends since fifth grade. I want my friend and the mother of my children to be happy. She hid her true self for a long time and that’s not a way to live. Everyone should be happy. If she’s happy being a lesbian, her true self, then I’m going to support her every step of the way because I love her.” Cabel glowers at Keaton.
“You still love her?” Vance jumps into the conversation.
“I’ve known her for twenty years. We have children together. A home. A life. Of course, I love her. I was shocked when she told me the truth, but I didn’t want to remain married to someone who wasn’t happy with me. She needed to find herself and she has. She’s happy, and her girlfriend is a nice woman who treats my kids well. That’s all that matters.”
I nod. Happiness is important, and Cabel is an amazing role model. More people need his attitude. We finish getting dressed and then head off of in our different directions.
When I get back to the house, Maxima and Arabella are sitting at the patio table, reading.
“Hi Dad.”
“Hi, honey.” I kiss the top of her head and kiss Maxima’s lips. “What have my favorite girls been doing today?”
“I went swimming while Mom did yoga and stuff,” Arabella tells me. Her calling Maxima mom seems right and fitting.
“Did you get my texts?” Maxima sits her book down.
I shake my head. “I forgot my phone.”
“Come here.” She stands. “Arabella, you stay here and read.”
I follow my wife to the kitchen. “What’s wrong?”
“Caryn emailed me a name of a child psychologist. I took it upon myself to call and make an appointment. There was a cancelation, and she can see us in an hour.”
“Okay.” I am suddenly very nervous. I know my lawyer suggested this, but now I’m questioning it.
“Remington.” Maxima takes my hands. “This is a good thing. If anything, she needs to deal with the way Rickie treated her and the changes she’s been through this year.”
“You’re right. I want Arabella to learn and develop coping skills. She needs to be a kid, and she’s been through enough already; this can be really good for her.”
“Exactly.” Maxima hugs me.
Now, I need to remain calm for my daughter.
“Mr. and Mrs. Rosin, I’m Ella Banks.” The woman is in her mid-to-late forties with brown hair and hazel eyes. She’s dressed in khakis and a simple blouse. “Caryn told me she sent you over.”
“Yes, you came highly recommended.” Maxima smiles. “This is Arabella Rosin.” She puts her hand on Arabella’s back.
“Well, hello, Arabella.” She bends down to her eye level. “I’m Ella.”
“Hi.” She is suddenly shy.
“Let’s all go in here and just chat for a moment.” Ella stands and we follow her down a long hall toward the end. Well, almost the end, because there are several doors all around.
Inside is a large playroom: toys, books, dolls, you name it, and it’s in there. It’s similar to a toy store setup with large shelves. The strange thing is a mirror on the left side of the wall.
Why is there a mirror?
“How about we all have a seat?” Ella directs us to a table with a stack of various coloring books. “Arabella, did your dad and Maxima tell you why you’re here?”
“We’re going to talk.” She speaks softly.
“Yes. I just want to know you better, okay?” Ella smiles and Arabella nods. “We’re going to talk alone, but your dad and Maxima are going to be right outside the door. All right?”
Arabella looks at me. “It’s fine. I promise.”
“Okay,” she whispers.
“Mr. and Mrs. Rosin, come with me.” Ella stands and we go out to the hall. “Come this way.” We go to the left and Ella opens the next door.
Inside the room are several stools and a table that all face a window. No wait...it’s the mirror from the other room. I’m looking at Arabella.
I’d wondered why her voice was low.
“Do we all understand?” Ella asks.
“Yes,” Maxima and I say in unison.
Ella smiles and then heads out, closing the door behind her. Maxima and I take a seat on the stools, watching Arabella sitting at the table.
Ella walks back in and shuts the door. “Arabella, your dad tells me you like to color.” She sits down next to her.
“I do.” Arabella peps up a bit.
“Do you want to color with me?” Ella pulls out a box of colored pencils and a couple books from the middle of the table.
“Sure.” They go through a few books until they settle on a picture.
The conversation is slow. Ella asks Arabella’s favorite color, movies, and they talk about school, books, nothing major. Soon, Arabella is comfortable with Ella and even jokes a bit.
“Do you like living with your dad?”
“Yes.”
“And you like Maxima?”
“Yes, she’s my mom.”
I glance at Maxima, and she’s smiling.
“Well, where’s your real mom?”
Instantly, Arabella puts the blue pencil down and pulls her knees up under her chin. Maxima glances at me, and my stomach drops.
“She’s in Maine.”
“Is that where you used to live?”
Arabella nods.
“Did you like living with your mom?”
“No.” Her answer is simple. “She’s mean.”
“How is she mean? Was she mean to you?”
“Yes. She calls me her paycheck. She only let me eat when I cried and my stomach hurt. She took away all my books and we didn’t do things together. She didn’t help me with my school stuff and sometimes, she would leave me by myself, and I tried not to be scared.”
My rage begins to boil. Maxima grabs my hand and holds tight.
“Why did she take your books away?” Ella is focused on Arabella.
“She said girls don’t need to read, only find a rich man.”
I push my hand through my hair. Rickie is brainwashing my child at the age of eight. Maxima squeezes my hand, and I grind my jaw to keep my mouth shut.
“Do you believe her?”
Arabella shrug. “I don’t know.”
“Does your mom have a rich boyfriend? Is that why she told you about marrying a rich man?”
“Greg isn’t rich like my dad.”
Maxima leans over and whispers. “Who’s Greg?”
I shake my head. Rickie never mentioned a boyfriend, not that she would. But Arabella never brought him up.
“Have she and Greg been together a long time?”
“I guess. He mostly brings the guys over.” Arabella hugs herself tighter.
“Oh God.” Maxima gasps, covering her mouth.
Please God, no, don’t let it be that. I don’t even want to think it.
“What guys, Arabella?” Ella keeps her tone even.
“The ones who go into Mom’s bedroom with her. They stay in there for a long time.”
Maxima and I both breathe a sigh of relief the guys left Arabella alone. I’m not pleased Arabella knows about Rickie’s actions.
“They’re always giving her money,” Arabella continues.
Rickie is prostituting herself? In front of her daughter? I rub my temples. I’m in a fucking nightmare.
“Do the guys come into your room? Or talk to you?”
I hold my breath and stare at my daughter’s profile through a one-way mirror. Maxima’s nails dig into my hand. She’s as nervous as I am.
“No,” Arabella answers.
Both of us almost fall into a puddle of relief.
“Mom tells me to stay in my room.”
“What it like living with your dad and Maxima?” Ella changes the subject.
Arabella drops her legs and picks up her colored pencil again and resumes coloring. It’s like she’s a different kid.
“Fun.”
“How’s it fun?”
“They play with me. They read books with me. They’re not mean and they love me.”
“You like living with them?”
“I don’t want to leave, and I know they’re trying to keep me.”
Ella asks her about dance classes and other activities. Soon, the hour is up. Maxima and I walk out to the hallway where Ella and Arabella are waiting.
“Dad, I colored this.” She shows me her picture.
“It’s great, honey.” I hug her, and I don’t ever want to let her go.
“Arabella, do you mind sitting out here for a moment while I talk to your dad and Maxima?” Ella points over to the chairs against the walls.
“Okay.” She smiles.
Maxima and I follow her through another doorway, her actual office.
“Let me give you a quick overview of what I think.” Ella sits in large office chair behind her desk. “Arabella is a sweet girl, but doesn’t act like an eight year old.”
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“She articulates at a younger level. Her sentences are choppy and incomplete. I believe it’s due to her emotional state. She does not like her mother at all. She became very withdrawn, and I’m not convinced she has seen more than she said.”
“How do you know?” I question.
“Arabella said the guys gave her mother cash. How would she know that? Unless she saw it.”
“Oh my God.” Maxima shakes her head.
“What do you think we should do?” I want to make sure my daughter is okay. Her well-being is always my first concern.
“Here’s what I suggest. Keep going to her dance classes and make sure she’s interacting with children her age or older. She said she loves to read and you read to her.” Maxima nods. “Keep with books a grade or two higher than hers and don’t baby talk her. I also think she should come back. Like I said, there may be more she’s not saying.”
“Do you think anything happened to her?” Maxima grips my hand tight as I ask.
“From my experience, I don’t think so, but I do think she has seen sexual activity and maybe more,” Ella tells us bluntly. I like this part of her because I don’t want to beat around the bush.
“I also know there’s a custody battle. Am I right?” Ella questions.
“Yes.”
“Okay, I’ll make sure all my notes are typed up, and if you want to use them, just have your attorney contact me.” Ella stands and shakes our hands.
Maxima makes another appointment with the secretary as I stay with Arabella. I want to protect her, save her, and take all the bad memories away from her. But I can’t; however, I will do everything to keep her away from Rickie now.
Maxima and I both hold her hands as we head to the car. I try my best not to call Rickie right now and unleash my anger on her.
“Arabella, where would you like to eat?” Maxima asks with a bright smile.
“Nachos.” Arabella throws her hands in the air.
“Nachos it is then.” I drive us to our favorite Mexican restaurant.
Dinner is good, but we’re all a bit on the quiet side. Although, Arabella tries to keep the conversation going.
When we get home, Arabella takes a shower and then they read their chapter. I sit across the hall on our bed, listening to them read together.
Right now, here and now, I vow no one will hurt my wife or daughter.
Chapter Thirteen
Maxima
It’s been five days since coming home from Arabella’s appointment. Remington contacted the lawyer and gave him an update on everything. Remington hasn’t been himself, and tonight, I’m taking him out. Dacey already said she would watch Arabella.
I want to help him as much as he has helped me. I want my happy Remington back; I miss him.
“Hey,” I call out to Remington, who’s running on the treadmi
ll.
He stops and looks at me. “Yeah?” He is panting hard.
I almost forgot why I came down here as I study his body. He’s shirtless, and all his working out shows. He’s now showing more division in his abs. His shoulders are getting bigger and so are his biceps.
“I want to take you to dinner. Dacey already picked Arabella up.”
“All right.” His tone is cold and harsh as he turns to leave.
“Stop, Remington.” I block his path out of the gym. “Talk to me.”
He puts his hands on his hips and stares at the ground.
“It’s me, Remington. I’m your wife, and we agreed to be there for each other. What’s going on?”
He continues looking at the ground.
“Please,” I beg.
“I’m pissed off,” he confesses.
“Why?” Had I done something?
“I want to call Rickie and cuss her out like I’ve never done before. All I wanted to do was protect my daughter, and I failed. I’m a failure.” He raises his voice, but he’s not yelling at me. He’s just upset and I understand.
“You didn’t fail her then and you aren’t now.”
“Yes, I did. I should have never left her, but I did, and look what happened.”
“But, look at her now. She’s better now and getting the help she needs. You’re saving her now.”
“What if I’m too late?” His voice cracks.
I take his face in my hands. “You aren’t. I’m twenty-nine, and you saved me. You can save anyone at any time. Now, we have to put all our energy in keeping her here and doing everything to protect her.”
“God, I just want to push you against the wall and bury myself in you,” he mumbles against my lips.
“Do it,” I say without a moment’s hesitation.
“Oh, don’t tempt me.” He pulls back. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Remington, do you…do you like it rough?” I wondered this before when we were in the shower together.
“No, not rough. But a hard quickie every once in a while isn’t something I’d pass up.” He sounds almost shy.
“Well,” I look away and suddenly get an idea. “Come with me.” I tug him toward the large floor to ceiling mirror on the far side of the gym.
