“What happened tonight?” I ask, and she wrings her hands together. “Cece, I love you. You know I love you. But honest to God, if you don’t start talking, sharing, and being honest about shit, I’m going to lose my mind.”
“I—”
“Do you realize that when I moved here, I left my whole life behind? I had an apartment, friends, a boyfriend, and a life in Montana. I gave that all up, because you needed me. I think I deserve to know what is going on.”
“You said Shep was a jerk, and that you were glad he showed who he is and that you weren’t with him anymore,” she rambles.
“He was a jerk, but that’s not the point,” I groan. “The point is that I deserve to know what the hell is going on.”
“You’re right. I… I got the money together and asked Mike for a divorce.”
“I know that.” I shake my head when she looks confused. “Mom told me. She also told me that you’re behind on bills and would probably be losing the house if I weren’t here. So I’ll ask you again, what is going on?”
Her bottom lip wobbles. “The money Mike gives me doesn’t cover everything, not even close.” She rests her elbows on her knees and drops her face to her hands. “I was so set on not wanting to take anything from him and wanting to do this on my own that I maxed out my credit cards, which was stupid. I’ve been so stupid.” She lifts her head to look at me. “I realize now that I can’t do this alone and provide for my girls.”
She clears her throat. “Tonight, he came into the bar, because I had him served with divorce papers, and the lawyer put in how much I’m requesting he pay me each month, which is about four times what he’s been giving me.” Tears fill her eyes. “He didn’t have a problem with giving me the divorce; he had a problem with the money and wanted to let me know that he’s going to fight me for custody rather than pay and that he wants us to sell the house.”
Tears stream down her cheeks, and my heart aches for her. “Why didn’t you tell me that you were going to file?” I grab her hand. “Why didn’t you tell me that you were getting behind on bills? I would have helped.”
“I’ve felt like a failure, Mia. The only thing I have to show for the last ten years of my life are three beautiful girls. I don’t have a college degree. I’m working for the first time since I was in high school, and soon, I will be divorced. I know you would’ve helped if I asked, but that’s…. You’ve already done so much.” She wipes her cheeks. “I never thought it would be like this. I thought he was going to come home,” she finishes on a sob.
“You’re not a failure, Cece, and you might not realize this, but you and Mike at one point or another decided together that your job was to stay home and take care of the kids. He did his job, which was to take care of you guys. And I don’t care what bullshit he spewed, you did your job and are still doing it, and I know it’s the hardest job in the world. He can say all day long that he’s going to take custody from you, but you know that’s not how that works. A judge will decide what happens, and everyone who knows you has witnessed the kind of mom you are. Mike is a good dad, but he works sixty hours a week if not more, and right now, he’s only seeing the girls one day a week by choice. You tell me how he’s going to suddenly change that.”
I squeeze her hand to make sure I have her full attention. “The house isn’t important. If you have to move because you can’t afford it, then you and the girls will find somewhere else you can afford. And if you want to stay here, I’m sure Mom and me can come to some kind of agreement to help you cover the mortgage until you can afford it.”
“I don’t want that,” she whispers. “I don’t want people covering for me anymore.”
I let out a big breath. “I know you don’t want that, but it’s like Mom told me tonight—sometimes we can’t handle everything on our own. Sometimes we need help, and there is nothing wrong with asking for help or accepting it when it’s offered.”
“I don’t care about anything but my babies.”
“They are fine. Confused, but fine,” I say, and she frowns. “Kate and Lola talked to their dad tonight, and judging by the questions they asked when I tucked them in, I’m guessing Mike mentioned the divorce and selling the house.”