Bad Habits Part 74

She gave a curt nod. "Oh and, sweetie, you need a shave." Barbara smiled then walked off the porch to her car. Mathew watched her drive off and away.

He wiped his hand down his face. "Why indeed."

The porch door squeaked open with Marlene and her gla.s.ses of tea packed with ice and lemons. "She gone?"

"She's gone."

"Strange that she came here after all this time."

"I suppose."

Marlene walked over to her brother and handed him the gla.s.s. Holding the other for herself. "What she want?"

"Closure?"

"Hmpf. Did she get it?"

"Doesn't matter. I think I might have," Mathew said drinking back the amber liquid and letting the lemon tang cool his throat. "Guess I had to remember what love wasn't, to remind me of what love is."

"Good, Matt. Good." Marlene smiled, then turned and went back in.

Charles Wilson sat silently. Simone did most of the explaining. Kim was grateful for that. Her story was still too raw to share. Through Simone, her father was able to hear some of it though. When she finished talking, he asked two questions: Where was Keith Livingston now, and what was the address to Kim's place?

Having received his answer, he made a single phone call. Said a few words to arrange a meeting and then ended it. He reached in his drawer and withdrew a small notepad. He scribbled on the paper "I want you three to stay here, a place to cool off while Simone finalizes her annulment."

"Wait. I'm not leaving my house," Kim snapped.

"Yes, you will, baby-girl," Charles said, looking up. "And it's not just your house at the moment. It will be again. I promise you that."

"Daddy, wait." Simone waved her hands to get his attention. "Tell me the truth. Are you connected to those people still? The ones all those years ago that made you leave?"

"It's not important."

"It is to me. I don't want to do something illegal," Simone said.

"Oh, Kitt, please. That man raped you," Diane said.

"Stop saying that, Mama! Don't any of you say that to me again. It's about more than that. I want my life back. I want Keith to hand it over and have to step aside to watch me live it, free of him. I don't want him dead."

Charles chuckled. "I have no intention of killing the man."

Somehow Kim doubted the sincerity her father's tone. But she held her tongue. She understood where Simone was coming from. The revenge and justice Simone needed wasn't about brawn. She deserved more and the Livingstons deserved much more than that. "I agree with Kitt. We came here to get your support but not that way."

"I'm not a mobster. I started this business legitimately. Earned my way. But, yes, I have powerful friends. I think the Livingstons should know that." He looked to Simone. "These people can be quite vindictive when they want to be." He held out the paper. "My place in the Hamptons gets you away from them. It's a start. You need a fresh start."

Simone started to reach for the paper but her phone rang. She looked at her purse and then to her family. Finally, she retrieved it. "Excuse me, I have to take this call."

Charles lowered his hand. He came from around the desk. Kim averted her eyes to the way he stared.

"I can help you, Kim, and Simone. You girls need to let me. The b.a.s.t.a.r.d won't get near either of you again. I promise you that."

"Would you have ever reached out to us if we hadn't come here today?" she asked.

"I've tried," Charles answered.

"To me then. Would you have ever reached out to me? Because we both know you haven't tried," Kim replied.

He wiped his hand down his mouth and chin. "I feared you the most, baby-girl. I let you down. I don't know if I've ever had the courage to face you and admit that. I just didn't know how."

Diane rose from her seat. "I'll wait in the car. I'm sick of this. I need air."

"No, Mama. You need to answer a question for me too."

Diane crossed her arms. "What is it?"

"Why did you stay married to him If he left you with us, took up with another woman? Why?"

Diane looked her daughter in the eye when she spoke. "He's my husband," she said. She cut Charles a mean glare. "But make no mistake, I got a new old-man who treats me just fine. Don't need or want you." She walked past him, but Charles took her by the wrist and forced her to stop.

"You and I aren't done," he said and something else that Kim could barely hear. She expected Diane to respond the way she normally did, but she didn't. She watched as he pulled her mother out of the office.

Alone, Kim closed her eyes and practiced breathing. She had forgotten how. Drained and aching to use, she found herself sweating, and panting. But she maintained control. It was getting late. She grabbed her phone to call Anne to check on her sons, but saw she had a missed call. It was actually a return call from Mercy. Her heart leapt with joy at the sight of it.

She redialed the doctor and bit on her nail, counting down the rings.

"Dr. Edwards."

"Hi, uh, doctor. It's Kim. Kimberly Jensen."

There was a pause. She listened intently as she thought she heard him close the door to the office he was in. He finally spoke. "You got my message?"

"I saw I missed your call. Thank you so much for calling me back. I wasn't sure you would."

"Well I understand, Kim. I liked Dr. Donnelly," he said.

Kim sighed. "Can you tell me anything? I've tried to find out if he's had his hearing. I need to know."

"It's in two days, down at the University Hospital in Charleston. I left you a message with the contact person there. Are you sure you want to do this, Kim? You put yourself at greater risk by testifying."

"I'm positive. Thank you. Thanks for telling me."

Kim looked up as her father entered without her mother. He was red in the face. Jaw tight with anger. She rose from the sofa. "Where is Mama?"

"She's refusing to come back in the office. She said she'd wait in the car. Who is this man she's with? Since when has she taken up with another man?"

Kim blinked at him dumbfounded. Was he serious? "Never mind that, Daddy. You said you wanted to help us?" She walked over to the desk where the address was on the desk. She picked it up. "Are you serious?"

Charles sighed. "I intend to help, whether your stubborn mama will allow it or not. You can't get rid of me this time."

Kim forced a smile, still wary of his sincerity. "I need some money, and a plane ticket. I have to go to Charleston, South Carolina for a few days. Mama and Simone will go to the Hamptons. I need to head south."

"For what?" he asked suspiciously.

She knew his concern. She was as dubious as her mother in his eyes now. "I won't discuss it with you. But it's not for drugs. I'm okay. Will you help me?"

Charles sighed. "Get your mother to stay in a room with me for longer than an hour and we got a deal."

Kim chuckled. "No deal."

Simone walked in. Her brow dented in confusion.

"What is it, Kitt?" Kim asked.

"That was Sue's office. She said that there is no medical record of Keith having a vasectomy. She said that he's claiming it was a lie he told me." Simone looked at them both with tears in her eyes. "It can't be true. Was he lying to me? I don't understand?"

"Calm down," Kim said.

"No d.a.m.n it! I'm pregnant. It, it, can't be Keith's. It's Cain's. It's Cain's and I'm getting my divorce!" Simone rushed out of the office. Charles looked to Kim for an explanation. She couldn't begin to explain her sister's fears. It seemed like the nightmare would never end.

Chapter Thirty-Four.

Liberation Simone "I said I don't want to discuss it anymore, Mama! I don't!" Simone stormed through the door and flung it wide on its hinges. The boys were both in their highchairs. Anne sat between them, spooning beef-a-roni into the open mouth of Danny. All heads lifted at their arrival. Simone didn't stop. She couldn't think or breathe. She needed s.p.a.ce.

The day was one for the record books.

First the surreal return of their father, who may or may not have abandoned them. The bizarre story her parents shared, which seemed riddled with untold truths. And then the call that said her world would implode any minute. Lastly, the long drive home in which she endured the rantings of her mother and the inquisition from her sister. Simone was on the verge of screaming. And she would. Soon.

In the guestroom, she tossed the door shut behind her, locked it and then threw her purse at the wall. Simone dropped back. The weight of her grief, disappointment and despair pinned her to the door. She closed her eyes to count down her breaths. The panic swelling in her like an inflating balloon behind her breast cage seemed to ease. Not much but enough.

"Kitt? Kitt, baby, it's Mama. Let me in. Let's talk about it. That b.a.s.t.a.r.d is lying, baby. He had the vasectomy. Just calm down and listen to what me and Kim is saying."

"Go away!" she went to the bed and sat with her face in her hands. "Just go away!"

Her mother obeyed. Though Simone suspected that she wouldn't be far. The ensuing silence that followed calmed her a bit. She admittedly was behaving like a baby. Placing a hand to her flat tummy, she winced at the irony and wept over the choices she faced if the news were true.

"It's Mindy, from Sue Bailey's office. I'm sorry but I have unfortunate news."

"Tell me. Did the judge-"

"Your husband's medical records have been released. His routine physicals, his doctor visits, everything during his time in college and graduate school. Ms. Wilson, Keith Livingston did not have the vasectomy you allege."'

"Huh?"

"He's filing a counter motion with the courts to have your request for annulment dissolved. He's seeking mediation and marital counseling. Mr. Livingston claims that you've distorted facts to suit your own purpose. His pet.i.tion a.s.serts that the marriage is salvageable."

"No! He can't. You said you'd help me."

"Ms. Bailey was called out to attend to another client. She does however want to speak with you this afternoon. Don't you worry. We are investigating this report, although I have to inform you that our attempts to dissolve your marriage have reached a stalemate."

"d.a.m.n it! I want to speak with Sue."

"Of course, how is six this evening?"

"Six? I can't wait that long."

"Unfortunately it's the best I can offer. I will pencil you in. Please be timely. Thank you."

"h.e.l.lo? h.e.l.lo! h.e.l.lO!"

Simone winced. Yes, in the silence, that conversation played over and over in her mind. With her hand to her tummy, she swallowed the urge to spew the bottom contents of her stomach. This wasn't happening. It's not happening. She repeated it in her head with her hands covering her ears. It couldn't be true.

Simone replayed the argument and the fight. she'd had with Keith. How was smug that his mistress's b.a.s.t.a.r.d wasn't his. He was certain of it. He wasn't lying. He confessed it to her. She would know the difference, wouldn't she? Simone shot up from the bed. "Wait. Wait a d.a.m.n minute." She grabbed her purse and hurried out into the hall, nearly colliding with Diane. "Excuse me."

"Where you off to?" her mother asked.

Simone found Anne and Kim in the kitchen. They stood there talking, whispering. In her paranoia, she a.s.sumed it was about her. Why not? Her life was s.h.i.+t and everyone knew it.

"I need your car."

"Kitt? What are you doing?" Diane asked her. "Charles is on his way over here so we can talk things out. We're going to head to the Hamptons, remember? Let him take care of things. The sorry b.a.s.t.a.r.d owes you and Kim that much. Slow down, sweetheart."

"Keys!" she demanded, palm shoved in her sister's face.

Kim reached over and plucked them from the counter, handing them to her.

Simone's eyes swept them both. "Keith won't win this one. I will do whatever I have to for my liberation."

"Liberation?" Diane frowned.

"Let me go with you, Simone," Kim offered.

"No. I have my cell. I'll call you. Trust me, I know what I'm doing."

She left. Diane yelled after her, Kim called her name. Simone didn't stop. It wasn't until she was in the car, backing out of the driveway that she even took a breath. Consumed with emotions she barely processed, she reached over for her phone and dialed, blinking back the tears. "Answer! Answer!"

"You've reached Cain Gatlin. Leave a message."

"Cain? Cain, I need you to call me back. Jeez, I need to talk to somebody to keep me from doing something stupid. It's falling apart. Everything is falling apart. d.a.m.n him. It's never going to end. Is it? He'll never let me go. No one can stop him. No one! Call me. Please. Please."