Fourth Down (Portland Pioneers 1)

When Autumn left this morning, she told me she would see me later. The problem with later is I have no idea when it will occur. This morning, Elena and I are meeting with the mediator, and then it’s off to practice. Coach is being gracious and moved practice time to later this afternoon. I’m grateful because if I miss the walk-through today, I can’t play on Sunday. And Autumn has her segments which air starting at five until the news is over at eleven-thirty. Our hours suck, at least until February, when I have more freedom to do whatever. Still, not seeing her five nights a week is sort of a downer.

When I come into the kitchen, Roxy is sitting at the table, eating breakfast, and Miss Meghan asks her what she wants to do. I think it’s cute that Meghan gives Roxy options, even though it’ll be the same routine most days. They’ll go to the library for story time, go to the park, and then it’s home for naptime. Meghan will pick up around the house, but it isn’t a job requirement, and she’ll write a grocery list of things she needs so I can make sure the house is fully stocked. When Roxy is up from her nap, they’ll get Reggie from school. I really don’t put too much pressure on Meghan. Her only responsibility is to keep my children safe.

The A.I. announces that someone is coming to the door. I wait a few seconds before going into the hallway. The tell-tale sound of a key sliding into the lock gets my blood boiling. As soon as Elena and Reggie enter, I kiss my son on the top of his head and tell him breakfast is on the table. Once he’s out of earshot, I hold my hand out.

“What?” she asks.

“My key, I want it back.”

“You’ve got to be joking, Julius.”

“I’m not. Hand it over.”

She does so but with great reluctance. This is no longer her house, and just because her children reside here doesn’t mean she can come and go, as she pleases. More so, after the stunt she pulled with Autumn and my parents, I don’t want Elena showing up unannounced anymore.

“I’m assuming it’s okay if I ride with you to the lawyer’s office?” she asks.

“I’m fine with that, but you have to get a cab back because I need to go to practice.”

“You can’t drop me off?”

“It’s out of my way.” I leave her in the hall and head back into the kitchen. Reggie is sitting there, stuffing food into his mouth. “Slow down, Bud.”

“I’m starving.”

“What’d you have for dinner?”

He shrugs.

I know I’m not the best parent in the world, but I like to think I do a damn good job of keeping my kids fed. “Elena?”

“What?” She comes into the room and lets out an exaggerated sigh.

“What did Reggie have for dinner last night?”

Elena looks at our son and then at me. “Are you seriously monitoring me as a parent?”

“Yes,” I state pointedly. “When I see our son eat like he hadn’t eaten since lunch yesterday—yes, I’m going to ask what you fed him.”

“Unbelievable.”

I motion for her to follow me into the other room. She does so, but she’s agitated. “I will always look out for his best interest, Elena. You know this. You also know I’m one-hundred percent against him living with you because of this exact thing. I’m going out on a limb here, but I bet he had cereal for dinner. Sometimes that is a great dinner, but he needs more, and you need to be able to recognize this. I don’t know what’s going on in your head or when our children didn’t become a priority to you, but you need to figure it out. This is a fair warning—I’m going to tell the mediator that if Reggie is to go live with you—there needs to be a nanny, and the nanny’s fee will be paid out of the child support. That money is to support him, not you.”

“You can’t dictate how I spend my money.”

“I can, and I will. I didn’t have to agree to mediation, yet here I am footing the bill for this as well.”

“You’re just angry because I want a divorce.”

“No, Elena. I’m angry because you cheated. Had you come to me and said you weren’t happy I would’ve done whatever was needed to fix that. But you stepped out on us. You chose to bring another man into our bed. You chose to disregard our vows. And then you expected me to pay you off. That’s why I’m angry.” I walk away and head toward my bedroom. Before I close the door, I shout, “I’m leaving in ten minutes if you want a ride.”

Elena is still here when I come out. You’d think she would take a few moments and spend some time with her daughter, but Elena’s sitting on the couch, scrolling through her phone while Roxy and Meghan clean up after breakfast.