Repair Me

by Jennifer Foor

  Thinking about it made me sad. I started wondering if I would ever be able to even see the child. I hadn’t considered that one day I would want someone to call me Daddy, but now that I knew there was a child involved, it seemed like I couldn’t wait for it to happen.

  Still, I had no control over what they were going to do. Sure, we could hire a lawyer and lose more money to fight someone with power that would win regardless of my situation. It was a lose-lose situation for me and I needed to realize that my chances were slim.

  The depression was getting the best of me due to the fact that I was stuck in this hospital. I was worried about Sky and hoping Ash got her shit and got out of my life. I worried about the future of my family. If I stepped out on them, I wanted to know they were going to be okay.

  With so much time on my hands, decisions were becoming the highlight of my days. There was only one thing I was sure of, and that was the fact that I wanted a future with Sky. Come Hell or high water, I was going to find a way for us to be together. I didn’t care if I had to work three jobs, or sell my soul. I was going to make it happen.

  Chapter 31

  Skylar

  Ford still had a couple days left in the hospital. Since I was supposed to go to my classes, I used that excuse and left the hospital. My father had come home early to attend a business meeting, so I drove straight to his warehouse to meet him. After hugging me, I could tell he wanted to know why I’d skipped school to visit him. He led me to his office and closed the door behind us. “What’s wrong? Did something happen to Ford?”

  I sat down and folded my hands. “Ford is fine. Well, physically he’s fine. I think there are some things we need to talk about though. I don’t know how you’re going to feel about him once I’m done, so I need you to promise to be open-minded.”

  He put both hands on his desk and leaned forward. “Okay. You’re scaring me now.”

  “I told you how Ford and I met and how his ex-girlfriend still wanted to be with him. I’m not going to go into every detail, but basically, before we became a couple, they slept together. Now she’s claiming she’s pregnant and he’s the father.”

  “But you think she’s lying?”

  I motioned for him to wait before I went on. “My opinion doesn’t matter, right now. What matters is what has happened because of it.”

  “I’m all ears.”

  “When Ford and I became a couple, Ashley went crazy. Her father is some big councilman in their town and apparently Ford’s dad didn’t pay his taxes for quite a while. Because Ford and Ashley were dating, her dad overlooked it.”

  My dad cut me off. “Let me guess. Now that they aren’t seeing “eye to eye”, the bills finally came back into play?”

  “Pretty much.”

  My dad sat back, folded his hands together and beat his index fingers onto his mouth, like he did when he was thinking. “Are you coming for money?”

  I shook my head. “No. I’m coming here as an adult to tell you that I’m using some of grandmom’s money that she left for me to pay for them. Ford doesn’t know and I don’t want you to tell him.”

  “That money is for your future, Skylar.”

  I smiled. “You may not believe this, dad, but I feel like Ford is my future. You can be angry with me and cut me off from everything you do for me, but that account was left to me and I want to do this. I want to help them, because they’ve lost so much already. I can’t stand to see people struggle when we live so comfortably.”

  “I’m assuming this decision is final. If that’s the case then I would like to give you another option.” I knew my father was going to try to fight me to not take out that money. It was hard for anyone to understand that my feelings for Ford were real and that they were going to last. I knew it in my heart and I felt it in my gut that I loved Ford and he loved me.

  “I won’t change my mind, but I’ll hear you out.” I stuck with my gut and wasn’t about to change my mind.

  He pulled something out of his desk drawer and pushed it across to me. It was an application for employment and the necessary paperwork for a background and drug test. “My option is to provide Ford with a new business opportunity. If all goes well, he will receive a hefty signing bonus after six months, in which he can use to repay you for helping him.”

  I pushed the paperwork back toward him. “Dad, you can’t do that for me.”

  He pushed it back. “I’ve already asked Ford. He’d be crazy to pass up on it. The new division needs young people with experience. Ford would be perfect and I can tell that he’s a hard worker. Look at what he’s sacrificed already.”

  “So that’s it? He gets a new job, making a ton more money and there are no strings attached?”

  He crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair. “No strings. It’s a win-win for all of us.”

  I ran over to his side of the desk, just as he was standing up. My arms were around him within seconds. “Thank you, Dad. Thank you so much for doing this.”

  He patted me on the back. “He still has to agree to all of this, you know.”

  I smiled. “Yeah, well he’ll have to say yes once I pay the money. He’s going to be mad at first, but I think, in time, he’ll see that I was doing it for his family.”

  “Just make sure he knows you did it. Don’t keep it a secret.”

  I started to grab my purse, but realized there was one more thing I needed to tell him. “Uh, Dad. Ford asked me to live with him. He says he wants us to get a place close to you and Mom.”

  “And you already told him you would, right?”

  I scrunched up my face. “Are you mad?”

  “I was actually getting sick of having to wear clothes in the house all the time. Your mother and I have gotten used to being alone.”

  I threw up my hands and closed my eyes. “Ew! Spare me the disgusting details. I don’t want to know.”

  He laughed at me. “What are you going to do about the baby he’s having? Are you sure you’re ready to be a step-mom to an infant? Children can complicate relationships. I don’t want you jumping into something that you’re not prepared for.”

  “Ford doesn’t even think he’ll get to see the baby. If he does, I will support him as much as I can.”

  “We’re always here if you need us, Sky.”

  I thanked my father three more times before leaving and driving straight to the town where Ford lived. The cashier wasn’t too friendly, so I had to pretend I was an attorney’s assistant there to look at the tax bills for the county. After locating the parcel of land they owned, I then cross referenced the total amount due for the business and residential part.

  After double checking myself, I drove another half hour to the nearest branch of my bank and withdrew the necessary funds. I arrived back at the courthouse fifteen minutes before they closed for the evening. With the money in a small handbag, I counted it twice for the cashier. She kept giving me a curious look wondering where someone my age could have come up with so much cash in such a short amount of time.

  When we were finished, I ran my receipt down the hall, just as they were locking up. With my shoes shoved into the door jamb so the door wouldn’t close, the older woman opened it. I explained that it was an emergency of life or death. I didn’t even care what got me through the door as long as I’d made it. Being that I’d never officially met Ashley’s dad, after only seeing him briefly at the party, I was surprised when I walked into his office and saw that he was a young looking man. He stood up and greeted me. “What can I do for you today, Miss?”

  “Whitaker. I’m here to show the receipt of payment for the Cooper’s land. As you can see the full amount including all fees has been paid in full.”

  The man’s smile disappeared. “And you know this family?”

  “It doesn’t matter how I know them, does it? The money was paid by cash, so you won’t have to wait until a check clears. I’d appreciate it if someone could contact the family first thing tomorrow morning, since they don’t know I’ve done thi
s for them.”

  I stood up and started to walk out the office. “Miss Whitaker, do you really think that bailing out Ford’s family is going to secure your relationship with him? What are you planning on doing when his child is born? Have you considered that he may have a change of heart?”

  “I don’t care about the money. As far as the child is concerned, I hope he or she has the best life possible. Ford isn’t aware that I’ve done this for him, because it wasn’t his decision to make. Some people do things because they have kind hearts. Have a good evening, councilman.”

  When I walked back to my car, I felt empowered. Ford’s family could keep their business and their home. He and I could move into a new place and start something without so much baggage.

  All I had to do was tell Ford the truth, before someone got to him first.

  Ford

  I was released from the hospital three days later. Sky came to pick me up, and although I was still extremely sore, it didn’t stop me from hugging her. “Don’t squeeze too hard, you’ll bust your stitches.”

  “I’m just glad to be out of there.”

  We climbed into the car and Sky started driving. I reached over and intertwined our fingers. After looking at me for a second, she pulled over to the shoulder of the road. “We need to talk.”

  I didn’t let go of her hand. “Did somethin’ happen?”

  She smiled and looked at the steering wheel, instead of at me. “Remember how you asked me to move in with you?”

  I nodded. “Of course, I do. Did you change your mind?”

  Sky shook her head and smiled. “No, but you might, when you hear what I have to tell you.”

  All I could think of was that she’d decided she didn’t want a loser like me. Who would? Her family was well off. I’m sure that I was the last person they wanted to see their daughter settle for. Now that my family was practically homeless, it was an even worse situation. How could I think that I’d be able to find another job, while having to pay rent somewhere? “Is it your parents? They think I’m bad for you?”

  “Ford, can you give yourself any credit? My parents like you. My father even reserved a job in his company for you, which I think you should definitely consider, even if you change your mind about me.”

  “Damn it, Sky. You’re makin’ me real nervous. Just tell me what you’ve done.”

  She held my hand and stared at it. “I know you said to stay out of it, but I couldn’t let Ashley and her crooked father take away that house and your family’s business. That house is more special than any other, because you and your sister grew up there.”

  “What are you sayin’?”

  “Nobody has to move, because the taxes have all been paid.” Sky finally looked into my eyes and I could tell she was scared of how I would react.

  To be honest, I didn’t know what to say. I’d specifically told her to stay out of it. This was our problem and not hers to have to deal with. I didn’t want her to ever think I’d take her money like that. Then there was the fact that she’d done it all behind my back. If she thought she could do things like that all of the time, she was very mistaken. I couldn’t be with someone that overlooked my authority, especially when it came to my personal business.

  Since we were pulled over, I said nothing and climbed out of the car. We were near a shopping center and I started walking toward it, leaving Sky sitting there wondering what was happening.

  I felt betrayed.

  I was angry.

  But I was also grateful.

  Sky wasn’t just an amazing girlfriend. She had this knack about wanting everyone around her to be happy. She thrived on people’s generosity towards one another and I appreciated that so much, considering all of the things I’d given up for my own family; it wasn’t like they’d ever stopped to appreciate any of it. Now I had found this woman that shared the same heart as me. How could I stay mad at her when I knew for a fact that I would have done the exact same thing for her?

  I took a few deep breaths and started heading back to the car. Sky was crying when I climbed in. I looked forward. “I’m sorry, darlin’.”

  “I’m not sorry, Ford.” She looked at me and I hated seeing the tears falling down her face. I took my good hand and brushed them away. “I’m not sorry for helping your family. From the first day we met, I could feel that we needed each other. Whatever it was that happened between us that night, carried on and turned into something much deeper than I’ve ever experienced. You’ve made me happy and you’ve broken my heart, but through it all, I knew you were all I wanted.” She sniffled and got quiet for a second. “That money I used was from my grandmother. She gave it to me when she died and said it was for my future.”

  “Why would you use that money for me, then? That’s what I’m pissed about.”

  “I used it because you are my future. Don’t you get that?”

  The air left my body for a second. I knew that I loved this woman, but nothing could have hit me as hard as those words had. When Sky said that, her eyes were fixed on mine, like she was burning them into my mind. I got chills and the hair stood up on my arms.

  I reached over and grabbed the back of her head, pulling her mouth to mine. We didn’t speak, not that I could ever find the words equivalent to what she’d just said to me. I needed to show her what she meant to me. As we pulled away from each other, Sky opened her eyes and tried her best to smile. I brushed my lips over hers. “I’m going to pay you back, Sky.”

  She shook her head. “No you’re not! Your father is. I went to their house last night and we had a long talk about some things. I think he needed to be reminded of all the things you’ve given up for him.”

  She was making me crazy, but I’d also never had someone stand up for me. “What did he say?”

  “He said he owes us both. Then I told him about my dad’s offer. He seemed let down, but your mom made him realize that it was your turn to be happy.”

  “You’ve got to be kiddin’ me.” My dad didn’t do feelings and he surely didn’t admit that he did something wrong.

  “I knew you’d be mad at me about the money. I also knew that you might not want to take the job. I had to take the chance that you would, because you loved me enough to want it for yourself. Does that make sense?”

  I nodded, but didn’t take my lips far away from hers. “Let’s go home. I can’t hold you in this fuckin’ car and since you’ve bailed out my family and still love me after everything else, I owe you some real good lovin’.”

  I may have owed her, but the truth was, I needed to feel her close to me. I wanted her naked and in my bed. Immediately!

  Chapter 32

  Skylar

  When we arrived at Ford’s apartment, we didn’t bother stopping at the main house to see his parents. I’d paid them a visit the night before Ford came home and let them know that I had taken care of their problem. As grateful as they were, I wanted them to know that I did it because I wanted Ford to have a chance at a future instead of having to keep a roof over their heads. They needed to act like his parents and not his children.

  I thought that they’d hate me, but was confident when I left that they respected me instead. I also think they appreciated my dad giving Ford a chance at a real career in spite of him dropping out of college.

  Ford was exhausted and needed to rest, but he was adamant about me being naked in his bed, next to him. We held hands as we walked up to the apartment.

  It was a relief to walk in and see that Ashley was gone. On the counter was a note. Ford picked it up and read it out loud.

  Ford,

  It pains me that you would choose that ho over your own unborn child. I guess it is for the best considering that you wanted nothing to do with this child anyway. You will regret your decision when you’re all alone and never know your child. One day she will leave you and your heart will feel the way mine does. A girl like that doesn’t settle for someone like you. Good luck with that!

  Ash

  I walked over
and hugged him. It was so sad that she could be so petty, all because he didn’t want to be with her. Ford bundled up the piece of paper and tossed it across the kitchen. “Fuck her!”

  I didn’t look down to Ford, like she was implying, if anything, I idolized him for the man he didn’t even know he was. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

  Ford grabbed a beer out of the refrigerator, opened it and took a sip. “There’s more?”

  I took the beer out of his hand and sat it down. “You shouldn’t drink on those pain meds.”

  He grabbed the waist of my shorts and pulled me close to him. “Won’t you take care of me?”

  I bit down on my lip and tried to focus on the seriousness of what I was about to tell him. “Of course I will. Just come sit down.”

  We walked over to the bed and sat down. Right away a foul odor became very apparent. Ford looked at me with a disgusted face. “What the fuck?” We stood up and he ripped the covers off the bed. A giant spot of yellow was stained into the sheets and through the mattress. “That bitch pissed all over my bed? I’m goin’ to fuckin’ kill her!”

  I grabbed his flailing arms and tried to calm him down. “Ford, she’s pregnant and you’re not going to kill anybody.” I started laughing and just couldn’t help it. Of all the petty things to do to someone, she’d literally pulled down her pants and soiled his bed with urine.

  “What are you laughin’ at? This is fucked up.”

  I laughed harder. “I’m sorry. It’s just…I am picturing her standing there peeing and it’s hysterical.”

  Ford ran his hand through his hair. “I don’t think it’s funny. It’s somethin’ a kid would do. Do you see what I’m sayin’ about her bein’ immature?”

  I nodded. “Of course. It’s still funny, though.”