AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“My in-laws are pressuring the police to bring charges against me for murdering my wife.” Sinking back in my chair, I tell her about the accident and the police hounding me and the Beaumonts’ influential connections. I lose track of time, and when I glance at my watch, I realize I’ve gone over my allotted hour. “I’m sorry. You should’ve stopped me when my time was up. You probably have another patient scheduled.”
“Not today. At the height of my career, I had a booming practice with a month-long waiting list. But now I only counsel a few patients at a time. I can better serve you this way. We have a lot of work ahead of us, Will. And it won’t be easy. Psychotherapy is the hardest thing you’ll ever do. In the essence of time, because of your pending custody case, I recommend we meet twice a week. Are you free at the same time on Friday morning?”
I sigh, wondering how I’m going to fit one more thing into my hectic schedule.
Clemmy raises an eyebrow. “Is this schedule a problem for you?”
“No, ma’am. As a single parent, I’m still trying to figure out how to juggle everything. But I can make it work.”
The doctor pats my knee. “I understand. And I’m flexible. We’ll take it as it comes. I prefer to meet in person, but, if necessary, we can video conference.”
I smile at the doctor. “Thank you for being so accommodating.”
I rush back to Water’s Edge. By the time I arrive at the preschool, I’m fifteen minutes late in picking up the girls.
Betty scolds me. “I understand you’re dealing with a lot right now, Will. But it’s not fair to the teachers or your children for you to be late.”
“Yes, ma’am. I promise it won’t happen again. Have any spaces opened up in your after-school program?”
Betty gives me a sad smile. “Unfortunately, not. And it doesn’t look like anything will. But you’re at the top of the list for the spring term.”
That won’t do me any good if I don’t have custody of my children come January.
As I drive off, Caroline says, “I invited my new friend over for a playdate after school on Friday.”
I jerk my head around to look at her. “You can’t do that without talking to me first.”
“Why?” Caroline’s chin begins to quiver. “Mommy never cared when I invited people over.”
Of course she didn’t. Tracy had been so easygoing she readily adapted to new situations and changes in plans. “Just give me a little more time, sweetheart. I’m still trying to adjust to being both Mommy and Daddy.”
When we get home, I feed the girls lunch and send them off to their rooms for quiet time. I spend an hour cleaning up the house and folding laundry. I’ve just sat down at the desk in my room to return emails and make business calls when the girls enter the room.
“Daddy! We’re bored. Can we go outside and play?”
Getting anything accomplished with these two around is proving to be impossible.
“Sure thing,” I say, pushing back from my desk.
Truth be told, the fresh air will help clear my head and give me a chance to reflect on my first therapy session.
* * *
The girls and I are seated at the kitchen table—they are coloring and I’m returning emails on my laptop—when Ashton arrives home from work around six o’clock.
“Honey, I’m home!” Her voice echoes throughout the house and seconds later she appears in the doorway. “What’s for dinner? I’m starving.”
“What do you mean? It’s your turn to cook.” My eyes travel across the room to the whiteboard calendar Ashton bought to help keep us organized. “Ugh. It is my turn. I’m sorry.” I get up from the table and open the refrigerator. “Looks like we’re having scrambled eggs again.”
Sophie moans. “I don’t like eggs.”
Caroline asks, “Can’t we have pizza?”
Ashton and I exchange a look. We’re both tired of pizza. “What would you eat if we weren’t here?” I ask her.
“Hmm. I’d probably heat a can of soup or fix a salad.”
“Then we’ll have a salad, and I’ll order a pizza for the girls.” I return to the table and place the pizza order on my computer.
