I am not lost on the coincidence, that is where we met, and the first time I had seen you. I thought you were the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. I still think that. I kept running over and over in my head about how the child in your stomach is mine.
There is no other person on earth I would be prouder to have as the mother of my child. Anyway, I am thinking of you and I know you need your space. If you want to reach out, I am here. If not, I will see you when I see you, but I will be thinking of you.
Yours always, Cash.
I used to always laugh when I saw Wyatt gush over Breigh. He had always been the romantic, clearly something he learned from my mother or maybe our uncle. He was always so sweet with our aunt, Rhonda. I sure didn't get that gene, but with Emma it came easily. Maybe I just didn't let myself be that way earlier.
God only knows.
Today Mom and I were meeting with some investors to try to figure out how we could get the money paid back to all the people that my dear father screwed. That’s what my grandfather would have wanted. Mom had brought me up to speed on so much and I felt like a fool. It was right under my nose and I didn't even know it. My mother was one smart cookie.
Not only was she able to help find jobs for several of the employees, she also had been in constant touch with a lot of the long-term ones. She knew a lot of them and felt bad for them, just like I did.
The one person I looked up to for so long was a complete scumbag. That hurt. I gave up a lot of my life working with him, thinking I was doing something worthwhile, even if I was a douchebag while doing it.
Wyatt had pointed out that I was working for Dad, but I was working for me too. I couldn’t blame it all on my father, and after thinking it over, he was right.
“You can’t go backwards. Only make what you have now right.” Sometimes my mom sounded just like my aunt, Rhonda. I guess that makes sense with them being sisters. I wished Rhonda could see the changes I was trying to make. She never did think much of me, but I couldn’t blame her. I thought good enough of me for everyone.
Emma: Thank you for your text. I know you’re trying and I wish nothing but good things for you. I had fun at Kelleye Joe’s too. I remember the first night I met you like it was yesterday. I had a feeling you would be the man who would be in my life for the rest of my days. Foolish thinking, I guess.
There was just something about you. I remember telling Breigh that and her telling me I was crazy. She probably still thinks that with a lot of things I say. I’ll be in touch soon.
Well at least she answered me, now that was a start. A beginning I could deal with. As if I was given a choice.
EMMA
“I got it! I got it!” I practically screamed with excitement to my father on the phone.
“I knew you would,” he said, just like he had so many times throughout my life.
“I’ll tell you though, I was a nervous wreck. It has been crazy lately.”
“You’re like me, I work better when under a lot of pressure.”
“This is a huge plus in my career. H-U-G-E!”
“You earned it yourself. I’m so very proud of you.”
“Thanks, Dad. I needed this.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Yes, I just well… I’m sick of working so much. I love my job, and will continue to love it, but I need to pull back some. There is too much to live for.”
“Life goes by too fast. I hate I spent so much time working when I could have been spending time with my girls.”
He always said that when he was referring to my mother, sister, and me. My mother, sister and I had always been close growing up, probably because of all the time we spent alone. Dad worked more hours than he was home.
“There is nothing wrong with being a career woman, honey. You’re one of a kind.”
“I love my career, I really do.”
“But you can be a full-time mother as well. Whatever you decide. You could be starting a new journey. I’m behind you, no matter what you do.”
Dad still hadn’t talked to me directly about the baby, but I knew he would. He always had to process everything before speaking.
“Thank you, Daddy.
“Are you feeling any better?” I asked, knowing he wasn’t. The radiation had made him very sick and my mother was trying to keep everyone away since his immune system was so low. I hated not being able to see him, but I hoped I would be able to in the next week or two. I would never forgive myself if he had gotten sick from something I might have been carrying.
“I’m getting there.” He coughed a little and it scared me.
“I love you, Emma.”
‘I love you, Dad.”
26
CASH
“I kind of like it. I know it is the complete opposite from what I’ve ever had… but it is….” I paused trying to find a word.
“Breigh would say charming.”
“What do you think Emma would say?” I asked, as I watched Wyatt roll his eyes without a response.
“There are some things I need to update but all in all, it’ll work. It feels welcoming. I’ve actually never lived in something so small…” I looked around then smiled. Emma might have no interest in looking but I had heard about the place and wanted to check it out. I had started to read What to Expect When You Are Expecting and trying to think like a father. If and when she took
