“I get it, I do. I’ll see why he’s holding out and let you know. We may not get an answer though, so don’t hold your breath,” she warned.
“Ok.” I punched the cushion beside me. Warren was doing this to be a douche. He didn’t want to be married to me. This was his last form of control. He knew that as long as he didn’t give in, I wouldn’t get what I wanted.
“Try to look at the positive, Brooke. You’ve got full custody of your daughter. He gave her to you with no strings. He can’t take her away, and if you find someone later on down the road, she’ll be able to be adopted.” Roni put her arm around my shoulder and hugged me.
“You’re right.” I nodded. “I need to stay positive. He’s done enough. This won’t last. If I don’t give in, he’ll get tired of it and let it go too.”
“Yes. Think like that. These things take time, and I’m going to get it moving as fast as I can, but that still may be slower than you want.” She started to stand as Donna walked in.
“Everything ok in here?” Donna leaned against the doorway.
“As good as they can be, I guess. He gave up his rights to Ava.” I smiled.
“That’s great. I mean, not really, great, but this way you don’t have to fight that.” She offered a sad smile. “No child should have to grow up with only one parent, but it can be done.”
“I’m pretty sure she’d only have one parent even if he was involved. Warren’s too selfish to be a dad,” I grumbled. “He was a sperm donor at most.”
Both Donna and Roni laughed. “You’re right. I didn’t want to be the one to say it, but you’re right.” Roni laughed harder.
“Are you doing anything for the holiday?” Donna smiled.
“Probably working. There’s an opening for partner in the firm. There are three of us who want it.” She sighed.
“You should come over if you can.” I shifted on my feet. “Donna says it’s going to be a real feast.”
“I’m sure it will be. You haven’t had one of Donna’s famous Thanksgiving lunches.” Roni grinned. “I’ve gotta head out, but I’ll keep you posted on the dirtbag. Try and stay positive.”
“I will. Thanks.” I held my hand out for Roni to shake, but instead she wrapped me in a hug.
“You’re doing it, Brooke. You’re surviving. Pretty soon it’ll be more than that… you’ll be living.” Roni whispered the words before releasing me.
I mashed my lips together to keep from crying. She was right. I was surviving. I was spending every day convincing myself that I could do this. I could raise my daughter on my own. I could live without Warren breathing down my neck. I could be me. I was stronger than I knew. I could endure the storm to dance in the rainbow.
Chapter 11
Brooke
“Brooke?” I could hear Amy whisper shouting down the hallway.
“What?” I stuck my head out the door just in time for her to barge in, pushing me back in the process. “Is something wrong?” My forehead wrinkled as I watched her. I’d been getting Ava dressed, and Amy was now plastered to my door as if she was trying to keep someone out.
“Wrong? I don’t know. I mean, I do know, but it’s not the wrong you think it is. Am I making sense?” Her head tipped to the side as her lips pursed in concentration. “It doesn’t seem like I am.”
“No, you’re not.” I laughed lightly. “Should I be worried?”
“I don’t think so.” She shook her head slightly as she left her spot by the door and came over to the bed. “You have a visitor.” She grinned. “A male visitor.”
My back straightened as I thought about the possibility of one of Warren’s friends coming to deliver a message for him. It would be just like him to do that. I quickly finished snapping up Ava’s onesie and tucked her close to my chest.
“I can watch her for you, if you want.” Amy reached for Ava.
“Ok,” I slowly released my daughter. Everyone has been great about helping out, but it’s hard. I love her so much, and I want to be with her all the time.
Amy sat down on the bed and began talking to Ava as I slowly opened my door. I inched down the hallway like a small child would, trying to peer into the living room without being seen. I heard laughter as I grew closer, and my anxiety eased. “I don’t know what’s taking so long. Amy might have gotten sidetracked. Let me go look,” Donna’s voice sounded.
She rounded the corner and almost bumped into me. “Oh, there you are. You have a guest.” She motioned to the living room and then scooted around me.
I hadn’t heard anyone else so I was more confused than ever, but sped up hoping to solve this mystery. When I crossed the threshold, there he was sitting on the couch. He stood and held out his hand. “I’m sorry for not calling you first, but I realized today that I don’t have a number for you.”
“Oh.” I shook his hand. “Did you need something, Blake?” When I pulled my hand back, I wrapped my arms around my middle. I suddenly felt exposed and was really lost on why he’d be here.
“No.” He ran his hands through his hair as if he was frustrated or something. I knew the signs. I’d seen them with Warren. “I’m messing this up. I’m sorry.” He tugged at the sides before standing up and stepping closer. “My shift ended, and I wasn’t ready to go home yet. I thought you might like to join me
