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It took me nearly my entire shift to believe that what he told me was true. After checking the online account and seeing that I couldn't even log in because it was no longer active made me realize he wasn't being a jerk and lying to me. The man actually did something that I'll be grateful to him for the rest of my life.
Kristina asked me several times if Walker had something to do with the wide grin on my face, but I just rolled my eyes and waved her away.
Walker has a lot to do with how I feel, but he wasn't the one to change my life.
I think about that as I climb into my car after my clinic day is done.
Isn't he though?
Had he not mentioned my credit card debt to Barrett Hyde, then I wouldn't be thousands and thousands of credit debt free. I can't even be mad at him for talking about my business to someone else with the outcome it caused.
I feel weightless as if I'd float away full of happiness if my seatbelt wasn't pulled across my body.
At the four-way stop in town, I opt to turn in the opposite direction of Madison's house to pick Larkin up, but then I think better of it. I need to have a conversation with the Kennedys. Maybe it makes me a coward to want my daughter there as a buffer, but I know myself, and there's a solid chance I'll lose my shit on Nora if her horrible attitude persists.
I turn around in someone's driveway and head to Madison's, making quick time of getting Larkin ready to leave and once again mentioning to my new friend that we need to work out a payment schedule. Daycare costs won't be an issue any longer.
Hell, there's a solid chance that I won't even have to pick up shifts at the bar now that I don't have a heavy cloud of debt hanging over my head. Corbin has always paid me well, but just not well enough for the minimum payment that was due each month on Hux's credit card.
Madison waves me off like she's done before, and this time I let it slide because I really need to have a serious conversation with Nora and Leo before I lose my nerve.
Sticking my head in the sand and avoiding them forever can't happen. If anything, that punishes Larkin because she loves her grandparents and I'd never do that just to spite them for not liking me.
Larkin squeals when we pull up outside the Kennedys’ house, and she’s all smiles and flailing legs when I pull her from the car seat.
As always, Nora meets us on the porch and she dips to give Larkin a hug.
"Claire," she says as I approach. "Please come inside. It's blistering cold out here."
I freeze with one foot on the ground and one on the top step as I stare at her. Today isn't even the coldest day we've had so far this winter.
I pull in a deep breath, wondering just what she has planned for me because a nice and considerate Nora isn't one I recognize. She's more likely to offer me hot cocoa and then hit me in the head with a baseball bat than be generous and kind.
I step inside just in time to see Larkin run into Leo's arms. The man scoops her up and holds her to his chest, a smile on his face as he squeezes her with his eyes closed. When he releases her, I see the effort it took in his eyes. He all but plops down into his recliner.
Guilt swims inside of me. I don't see the man very often. He's always inside when I drop Larkin off. Some days I forget he's even around because Nora is quick to wait on the porch for me. I haven't been inside the house in years.
I notice the pile of pill bottles on the small table beside his chair and I feel even guiltier for keeping Larkin away from them even for a few days. It's proof that she won't have them forever, and it's selfish of me to keep her away from them.
"Please have a seat," Nora says, waving her arm to indicate the chair I sat in when I came to town and told them who I was.
"I'm going to keep Larkin at Madison's," I begin before I sit because I can't lose my nerve. "She needs the socialization with other kids, and she really enjoys it over there."
Nora looks at Leo who narrows his eyes as if telling her she needs to think before she speaks. I don't know enough about their dynamic to fully understand what it means. I always thought Nora was the one who was leading the charge in their relationship, but maybe I was wrong.
"I'm not doing this to punish you," I clarify. "I know how important you are to her, and I wouldn't take that away from her. I will confess that it's more about her than about you at this point."
I look directly at Nora because I haven't spoken to Leo much, but the times I have, he's been kind to me.
"We can cover the expense of childcare," Leo says without hesitation, making me think this is a conversation they've already had.
"My survivor's benefits cover childcare," I assure them because I'm not here to get money from them. Besides, I would feel like I owe them and the last thing I want is to be obligated to Nora Kennedy. I've done that for years, and I'm past it now.
"There's more to raising a child than daycare," Nora says as if she just can't help herself.
I do notice a mild change in her tone from how she normally speaks to me.
I give her the best smile I can manage. "I'm aware, but I don't need your money. Although I won't be working at the bar any longer, I will give you guys the opportunity to keep her when you'd like to visit."
