Chapter 6 - MICHAEL COMES HOMEI did not go home that night.
The children and I stayed with my friend Dana.
Not because police ordered it.
Because I did not want Olivia sleeping under the same roof as Sarah.
Michael drove to Dana’s house.
I met him outside.
He looked exhausted.
“Where are the kids?”
“Inside.”
“I want to see them.”
“You can see Tyler. Olivia is asleep.”
“You don’t get to decide whether I see my own daughter.”
“Correct.”
He blinked.
“I’m asking you not to wake an injured two-year-old.”
That slowed him.
Then:
“My mother has nowhere to go.”
“She has a condo.”
“She leased it.”
“To her friend.”
“Yes.”
“Hotel.”
“Emily.”
“No.”
“She has surgery next month.”
“Again, I did not cancel her insurance.”
“You pulled the supplemental account.”
“Yes.”
“You knew she budgeted around that.”
“I paid it.”
“You agreed to.”
“I agreed voluntarily. I have ended the voluntary part.”
“Because you were angry.”
“Because she hit Olivia and I am no longer using my compensation to make her comfortable while she treats my daughter as inferior.”
Michael looked away.
I recognized the expression.
The one he wore when he knew I had a point but wanted to dislike my delivery.
Then:
“You hit her too.”
“Yes.”
“Why do you keep saying it like that?”
“Because it happened.”
He rubbed both hands over his face.
“Jesus.”
I asked:
“Did she tell you she hit Olivia before she told you I stopped her stipend?”
No answer.
There.
“Michael.”
“No.”
“She didn’t?”
“No.”
“What did she say?”
“That you attacked her and canceled her medical benefits.”
I almost laughed.
May you like
Not funny.
Still.
