"Well, I have told the kids this is where I am sending them when they make me mad," said Sophia, laughing. I looked over at the kids and saw that they were all sitting like angels, except for Sophia‟s daughter who was trying to pull my hair.
"Yeah, I used that one last time I had to come to get John," I said dryly, "What the f-*-c-k am I meant to say when he comes out? Hey, kids, you can see daddy for five minutes then he is going to disappear without a word again?"
"Unless there is a way to blind them or kill him before he gets here" "Please don‟t talk about murder in a police station, I can‟t bail you out, I just emptied my entire savings account" "That sucks" she replied, knowing my situation. Single mom‟s needed all the money they could get. "Ms. Smith?" called a masculine voice; I looked up to see a police officer.
"Yes, that‟s me" "We just need you to sign a few forms" "Yeah, ok" I went through the necessary paperwork and then I heard a click of the doors being opened. "Daddy!" called three little voices, then a chorus of "Justin!"
I sighed and turned around to see my kids running and hugging them both and even from where I was standing I could see that the looks between both men were anything but civil. I saw Sophia looking at them both, but I noticed that her gaze was lingering on Justin more.
"Come on kids, time to go home" I called "What about Daddy and Justin?" asked Adam "Daddy and Justin were bad boys" I said with a glare in both of their directions, at least they had the decency to look ashamed, "So they are going to find their way home to their own houses" I emphasized the own houses because there was no way in hell that Justin was coming home with us.
"But mammy, Justin lives with us," Ava told me "No he doesn't," I said gathering them up, "Come on time to go" And with that, I left them both standing there looked ready to have around two.
On the way out I saw tears in Sophia‟s eyes… I wonder what that was about. The next few days were "ladies only day", well except for Adam.
Justin wasn't allowed back into the house and we had pulled out the phone because John had been calling almost nonstop. It had been nonstop fun. There were movies and lollies, and the ever-popular hot cookie for the kids and wine for the mothers.
It was a time to remember. But sadly like all great times, it came to an end. "Amelia?" called Sophia, l looked over at her and she looked nervous. "What‟s up Em?" I asked curiously "Well, ok. I love you, you love me.
We are really good friends right?" I nodded my head slowly, not sure that I liked where this was heading, and "well it has been like five days since Justin has been here. The kids are asking to see him and their dad." She looked at me anxiously.
I sighed and turned around. "Sophia, I want to be ok with them both being here, but I am not," I said slowly "I get it Amelia I do, but this isn't just about you. I am here looking after both our children every day while you are out.
I am the one who has to be here when they are upset and they want their mom to do something, while their mammy is out. She could be home but she has been too busy sulking around, not giving a shit about anyone else or how this whole mess affects them as well."
I looked at Sophia in shock. Her words cut me. The look on her face showed that she knew that what she had said was a little harsh. Her mouth hung open and water was pooling in her eyes.
"Oh, Lord! Amelia, I didn't mean that I…" "Hell, don‟t worry about it" I said quietly.