Such Great Heights

by Sydney Logan

  Marcus hummed happily in his seat.

  “Whether Mr. Healey has a romantic interest in his son’s nanny—as Mrs. Healey’s attorney claims—is of no relevance to me at this juncture. My focus is on the child. I have statements from both the child psychologist and classroom teacher, both stipulating that Miss Stuart is a nurturing and loving presence, and with the combined efforts of the father, the nanny, and Mrs. Hazel Alvarez, the family’s housekeeper, it is obvious to me that disrupting Ryder’s regular routine would be detrimental to his progress. Therefore, Mrs. Healey, your request for full custody is denied.”

  I exhale a deep sigh of relief. A satisfied Marcus pats me on the shoulder.

  “Mrs. Healey, your husband has been gracious enough to offer supervised visits, but I must admit, I’m hesitant to allow that considering the amount of stress your brief phone call caused the child. But you are here today, which gives me hope that perhaps your son is important to you. You have tearfully asked me to offer you a second chance to prove that you can be a good mother, so I’m going to give you that opportunity. I am permitting supervised visits, two hours per week. After looking at Ryder’s schedule, I believe Wednesday evenings from 5:00 to 7:00 will be the best option. Is that agreeable with you, Mr. Healey?”

  I clear my throat. “Yes, your honor.”

  He nods. “Visits must be in Mr. Healey’s home, and Mr. Healey, Miss Stuart, or Mrs. Alvarez may be present during these visits.”

  Natasha jumps to her feet. “What? She can’t be there! Why is she allowed to be there?”

  We hear the attorney telling her to sit down and shut up. Marcus and I grin.

  “Mrs. Healey, don’t push your luck. You want to see your child, don’t you?”

  Natasha bows her head. “Yes, your honor.”

  “Then prove it. Every Wednesday evening from 5:00 to 7:00. We will re-examine in two months.”

  “Thank you, your honor,” her attorney says.

  The judge then turns to me.

  “Mr. Healey, if this arrangement needs to be re-evaluated before we meet again, do not hesitate to inform your attorney. He, in turn, will contact me. And I’ll take it from there.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Might I also suggest that Mrs. Healey and Miss Stuart become acquainted with each other before a scheduled visit, and without the child present?”

  That makes sense. Nobody wants a catfight.

  “Of course, your honor. We’ll arrange those introductions as soon as possible.”

  “Very good. We’ll reconvene in two months. Court is dismissed.”

  I thank Marcus and close my briefcase just as Natasha’s attorney walks over to the table.

  “Mrs. Healey would like a word.”

  I nod.

  “I’m staying this time,” Marcus says. “Don’t argue.”

  “I won’t.”

  The three of us make our way over to the table. Natasha’s screeching into her phone.

  “David, you said they always side with the mother,” she whines. “Now I have to meet the tramp! I think we need a new lawyer.”

  “I can only hope,” her attorney mumbles.

  I almost feel sorry for him. Rick Sanders is a decent guy and a good attorney. He just needs a better client.

  “What do you want, Natasha? I’m in a hurry to get home.”

  “Gotta go,” she mutters into the phone. “Oh, I bet you’re in a hurry to get home. To get home to her!”

  Was she always this big of a child?

  “Let’s go, Marcus.”

  “Wait!” Natasha yells. “If I have to meet her, let’s get it over with. What about tomorrow?”

  “Tomorrow’s Saturday. We’re taking Ryder to the zoo if the weather cooperates.”

  Natasha blinks rapidly. “You’re not working this weekend?”

  “Nope. I told you, Tash, I’m a different man.”

  “How convenient.”

  I say nothing.

  “Fine,” she huffs. “Monday then? Around noon?”

  “I’ll check with Olivia and see if she’s free. I’ll call tonight and let you know.”

  And with that, I turn on my heel and walk out of the courtroom.

  “It’s a beautiful day,” Jackson says.

  I slide on my sunglasses and hold Ryder’s hand as we walk through the gates of the Nashville Zoo. After a week of rain, Saturday morning arrived with an abundance of sunshine and clear, blue skies. The zoo is crowded with other folks taking advantage of the pretty weather, but we don’t mind. Jackson and I are determined to make today a perfect day, because on Monday I’m meeting Natasha Healey for the first time.

  And if I don’t kill her, Ryder will come face-to-face with his mom on Wednesday.

  While Jackson and Marcus both agreed that the judge’s ruling couldn’t have been sweeter for us, I couldn’t help but disagree. Why should this child be forced to spend time with a woman who had no interest in his well-being? Ryder is just now beginning to make progress. I’m afraid this visit from his mom will do nothing but confuse him.

  I mean, seriously, where has she been?

  I know I’m being irrational. Legally, Natasha has a right to see her child. And of course, Ryder needs his mother. Nothing would make me happier than for the two of them to spend time together . . . as long as she becomes the mother he deserves.

  I just don’t trust her to do that.

  “Where to first?” Jackson asks.

  I glance at the map. “There’s a new tiger exhibit.”

  “Let’s do that!” Ryder shouts happily.

  Ryder leads us to the tigers, where a mother and her cub are playing in the grass.

  “Let’s sit and watch,” Jackson says, pointing to a sitting area just outside the exhibit.

  Ryder kneels on top of the wooden table to get a better look, and the three of us sit there, laughing as the tiny cub plays with his mother.

  “Are you having fun?” Jackson asks, whispering against my ear.

  “I am. And so is he.”

  Jackson pulls me back against his chest.

  “That’s all that matters to me.”

  We watch as the cub jumps onto his mother’s back, to the delight of the laughing kids who have gathered around the exhibit. Suddenly, the baby tiger scampers to the ground and nestles itself in his mother’s arms. The mother gently licks her cub.

  “Why is she doing that?” Ryder asks, wide-eyed.

  “She’s giving him a bath,” Jackson explains.

  “Ohhh.”

  Ryder gazes at the tigers for a long time, his eyes watching intently as the mother cares for her young.

  “She’s a good mommy,” he says quietly.

  “How do you know that?” Jackson asks.

  “Because she stays right there. She doesn’t leave him.”

  Tears fill my eyes as Ryder climbs into my lap. The little boy rests his head against my chest, and I hug him close. Jackson wraps his arms around both of us, and we sit in silence as we watch the mama tiger bathe her cub. The surrounding kids grow bored and move on to the next exhibit, but not us. We’re content to sit there, wrapped in each other’s arms, watching the tigers nap in the grass.

  Finally, Jackson’s voice interrupts the solace.

  “Ryder, I need to tell you something.”

  I stiffen. We talked about this, but I don’t know if I’m ready. Ryder, not knowing what’s to come, bravely turns around in my lap and gazes expectantly at his father.

  “Ryder, your mom wants to come see you.”

  He frowns. “Why?”

  “Because she misses you.”

  “But she left.”

  “I know.”

  “Is she coming back?”

  Jackson shakes his head.

  “She’s just coming to visit. She’s not coming back to stay.”

  “Oh. When?”

  “In a few days. Is that okay?”

  Ryder tilts his head and looks at me.

  “Will you be there, ‘L
ivia?”

  “If you want me to be.”

  “And Daddy?”

  “Yes,” Jackson says softly. “And Hazel.”

  Ryder nods thoughtfully.

  “Okay.”

  Ryder buries his head against my chest once again, snuggling close.

  “Love you, ‘Livia.”

  “I love you, too, buddy.”

  Sighing deeply, Jackson kisses the side of my neck and holds us close as we watch the tiger nuzzle her baby as it sleeps. The mother never closes her eyes. She simply rests, staying alert to her surroundings and keeping her eyes open at all times as she protects her cub.

  I press my lips against my own cub’s hair and kiss the top of his head. His soft snore fills the air. Jackson’s quiet sigh tickles my ear.

  “What?” I whisper, not wanting to wake the sleeping boy in my arms.

  “Just thinking.”

  “About?”

  “About how much I love watching you with my son,” he says, nuzzling my hair. “Seriously, Olivia, where have you been all my life?”

  The sweet sentiment flows through me, warming me and filling me with so much joy I can barely breathe. I don’t know how I’m going to handle meeting Natasha. And I really don’t know how I’m going to stop myself from slapping the crap out of her.

  Then I look at the little boy sleeping peacefully in my arms, and I have my answer.

  I can do it.

  For him.

  “Don’t be nervous,” Jackson says, joining me on the living room couch. He offers me a glass. “Here. Drink this.”

  “I’m not nervous. And I’m not drinking.”

  I’m truly not anxious. I’m determined, for Ryder’s sake, to have a civil conversation with his mother. No matter how much I want to strangle her.

  “Trust me. You’re getting ready to meet my wife. You need a drink.”

  “I’m fine. And I still think you should make yourself scarce.”

  “Absolutely not. Do you seriously think I’m leaving you alone with her?”

  Rolling my eyes, I fiddle with the baby monitor before placing it on the end table. I’m so tired of this conversation. We’ve been arguing for hours.

  “You don’t think I can take care of myself?”

  “I have no doubt. I just refuse to let you fight this battle alone,” he says, leaning and kissing my forehead. “It’s you and me.”

  “And me!” Marcus bellows as he walks into the room.

  He and Jackson had spent most of the morning in the study, discussing strategy for the divorce proceedings, while Hazel had taken Ryder to school. The peace and quiet had given me the chance to relax and focus.

  I know the judge is right—it’s best for the two of us to get this first meeting out of the way before her visitation with Ryder on Wednesday. I wouldn’t want any tension between the two of us to spoil Ryder’s time with his mom.

  Today is an important day. I truly want it to go well.

  For Ryder’s sake.

  Needing something to do with my hands, I check my phone. There’s a text from Dana and a voicemail from another unknown number. That’s been happening a lot lately.

  Stupid scammers.

  I don’t even bother listening to the message before deleting it.

  Just then, the doorbell rings. Marcus closes his laptop and grins mischievously at me. Jackson chuckles and shakes his head. They can’t fool me. Both of them are secretly hoping for a catfight.

  “Are we ready?” Marcus asks, leaping to his feet like a kid at Christmas.

  “I’m ready.”

  And I am.

  Marcus heads to the door, while Jackson takes my hand. As we stand there, ready to greet this horrible woman, I take a deep breath and pray I can keep my composure. Suddenly, my body is a live wire. Alert. Ready. I’m just like that mama tiger, desperate to protect her cub. The only difference is that I’m trying to protect this baby from his own mother.

  God grant me the serenity to not pounce on this woman.

  As Natasha Healey walks into the room, I suddenly realize that I’ve never seen a picture of her. I’m not at all prepared for the supermodel who walks in, dressed in a designer suit without a hair out of place. There’s a man by her side that I can only assume is her attorney.

  “Hello, Natasha,” Jackson says, squeezing my hand.

  But she’s not looking at him. She’s not even looking at me. She’s looking at the living room, with the toys in the corner and the coloring books on the end table.

  Then, she finally looks at me.

  I offer my hand.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Natasha.”

  With a smirk, she eyes me from head to toe. I’m sure she’s offended by my hoodie and jeans. Ask me if I care.

  Ignoring me completely, she walks over to the leather chair and plops down, making herself at home. Jackson sighs and leads me back to the couch. The two attorneys huddle in the corner, whispering.

  Probably placing bets on which of us would come out of this alive.

  Finally, Marcus gives me a wink before heading over to the desk. He opens his laptop. Her attorney finds a seat, too, and becomes very interested in his phone.

  “Natasha,” Jackson says, “don’t you think you should say hello?”

  But she says nothing. She just stares at our joined hands.

  “You two are quite cozy, aren’t you?”

  “Natasha . . .” her attorney tries to warn her, but she gives him a look so cold that he snaps his mouth shut and returns to his phone.

  “You’re my husband,” she says.

  “Hopefully not for much longer,” Jackson says. “And, need I remind you that you are the one who left me?”

  “I don’t flaunt my relationship in your face.”

  “I wouldn’t care if you did.” Jackson shrugs. “But this visit isn’t about our marriage. You’re here to meet Ryder’s nanny. Don’t let your petty jealousy ruin it. You want this arrangement to work, don’t you? You want visitation, right?”

  Natasha’s cold eyes never leave my face. I hold her gaze, refusing to let this woman intimidate me.

  “Hello, Olivia. Let’s get some things straight.”

  Her voice grates on my nerves, and suddenly, I’m thankful that Jackson’s holding my hand. It’s the only thing keeping me from slapping her.

  “Fine. Let’s do that.”

  “Ryder is my child. Jackson is my husband. You are just the nanny.”

  All of that’s true, except for the last part. Even she knows I’m more than just the nanny. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be here.

  “Ryder is mine, and as soon as this divorce is final, he will be living with me. Full time. I don’t care if you are sleeping with my husband. Ryder belongs with me. He will never call you Mommy. Got it?”

  That does it.

  “Gentleman, would you please give us a few moments alone?”

  I feel Jackson’s body stiffen next to me.

  “Absolutely not,” he says.

  “Please. Natasha and I need to talk, and we don’t need referees.”

  Suddenly, Marcus is by my side. “Olivia, I really have to advise against this. I can’t take notes if I’m not in the room, and we need the notes for the judge.”

  “I’m not asking permission. Please go to the study. All of you.”

  Sighing heavily, Jackson stands up and asks the men to follow him. Marcus groans and grabs his laptop. I can hear him arguing with Jackson in the hallway until the door finally closes.

  “Impressive,” Natasha says with a smirk. “I’m surprised he didn’t ask how high when you told him to jump.”

  I don’t take the bait. Instead, I stand up slowly, making my way across the room. Her gaze follows me, growing a little wider as I approach her.

  “I thought we should talk, Natasha. Just us girls.”

  She laughs shakily.

  She’s nervous. Good.

  “I don’t do girl talk, especially with tramps like you.”

  Very slowl
y, I place my hands on the arms of her chair and lean down. I hover over her, and Natasha slinks down. I’m gratified to see her eyes flicker nervously around the room.

  “First of all, I’m not the one having an affair. So shut your mouth.”

  She raises her hand, and for a second, I think she’s going to slap me.

  “Go ahead. Hit me. But be prepared, because I promise I will hit you back.”

  She gasps softly, and her hand drops to her side.

  Satisfied that I’ve made my point, I walk back over to the couch and sit down.

  “You can hate me, Natasha. That truly doesn’t bother me, because trust me, the feeling is mutual. What bothers me is that you totally neglected your son.”

  “My son is none of your business.”

  “Oh, but you’ve made him my business. Your son, who you left behind. Your son, who suffered nightmares and crippling anxiety and violent tantrums because you decided you didn’t want to play mommy anymore. Your son, who has to visit a child psychologist just to work through the absolute misery you’ve put him through with your neglect and idiotic rules. Your son, who climbs into bed with me every night and snuggles into my arms because he is so desperate for a mother’s touch.”

  I stand up and walk back over to her chair. Natasha’s face pales as I hover above her.

  “Let me give you some advice, Natasha. And listen carefully, because it’s the only advice I’m ever going to offer. Your son is the most beautiful child in the world. He needs love and attention. He does not need your rigid rules. He does not need your mental abuse. That is not how a mother acts. And since that’s the only mother you know how to be, Ryder needs me.”

  Her eyes flash with defiance, but apparently, the expression on my face convinces her to keep her mouth shut.

  “Jackson has given you a chance. The chance to be a better mother. For Ryder’s sake, I hope you don’t screw it up. But hear this. If you do . . . if you miss one scheduled visit, if you make that little boy cry, if you do anything to upset him at all . . . you won’t have to worry about that judge or Jackson or even Hazel. They will be the least of your worries.”