AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Sounds like it. I’ll look into it and see if I can light a fire under them. Did Mr. Houston have life insurance?”
I shook my head. “No. The company didn’t offer it as a benefit, and he never followed through with getting a separate policy. I bugged him about it, and he told me he’d get it done, but he worked long hours and was gone more than he was with us. So, I guess it slipped his mind.”
“And so we’re clear, you’re going after Vance Oil for negligence, correct?”
“Yes.”
“And Vance Oil claims that Mr. Houston’s death was due to a critical error he made by not following safety protocols, correct?”
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry in advance, Mrs. Houston, but my next question might sound a little insensitive. What evidence do you have proving that Mr. Houston wasn’t at fault?”
“It’s a gut feeling.”
“I see,” he mumbled.
“I know what it sounds like, but Vance Oil was too quick to blame Rory. I know there are cameras out there, but they refuse to show me the footage of his death. If Rory was wrong, wouldn’t they gladly offer to show me the evidence?”
“It’s questionable. Did they offer you any kind of settlement at all?”
“Twenty-five thousand to make me disappear and stop wasting their time.”
“Did you take it?”
“No. Rory was worth more than that.”
“Good, because it would’ve been over as soon as you accepted the money. They would be clear of any additional financial responsibility. Are you currently working?”
“No. Kiyah and I had been living off the little savings we’d built up since moving to Texas, but that money is almost gone. I don’t have a job, but I started looking as soon as I got over my grief well enough to get out of bed and comb my hair. The pickings are slim, and the pay is even slimmer.”
“What about government assistance?”
I chuckled and shook my head. “I’d have to get a job first to qualify, but then I’d have to figure out childcare for Kiyah. The waitlists for those programs are ridiculously long.”
“Any family or friends that can help out?”
“No. I’m estranged from my family. I have been since I met Rory. They disapproved of him. Rory was the “bad boy” with the motorcycle and bad attitude. They thought he was a bad influence and he’d lead me down the wrong path, but I didn’tcare. We were in love, and he treated me like I was priceless. He completely changed when we found out we were expecting Kiyah. He matured, started making better choices, and took our future seriously. He was always one of those people who took things one day at a time, but his entire perspective changed, and he was fixated on preparing for our future.”
Mr. Baker heaved a sigh. “Children have a way of doing that. Does Mr. Houston have family?”
I shook my head. “He aged out of foster care.”
“Have you considered moving back home?”
I licked my lips and held back my tears. Returning home with my tail tucked between my legs was the last thing I wanted.
“No.”
“I understand. I—” He paused when his cell phone vibrated on the coffee table. “I’m sorry, but do you mind if—”
“Go right ahead.”
“Thank you. I’ll be swift.”
I colored with Kiyah until Jonathan returned a minute later. Gone was the bright smile; it was replaced with a deep frown I didn’t think he was capable of.
“Is everything okay?” I asked.
