“Yeah.”
Paige proceeded to run the meeting, and the mom was quiet until Val was asked to give an update on the children. As she spoke about how they were doing, a strangled gasp and a snuffling noise came across the line. Val was pretty sure the woman had started to cry. She met Paige’s eyes, unsure if she should continue. She swallowed the lump in her throat and quickly finished up her comments.
Paige concluded the meeting, letting Kayla know that once she went through sentencing, they would meet again to determine the next course of action. When the conference call ended, everyone in the room let out a collective sigh.
Lisa the Lawyer spoke up first, saying, “Have you had any luck locating family members, Paige?”
Val tensed, the question feeling like a punch in the gut.
Paige caught and held Val’s gaze as she answered. “As far as we know, neither birth father has ever been in the picture. Kayla’s mother is not a candidate due to past CPS history. We’re waiting on information about an aunt who lives over in Rochester.”
Val could feel herself calming as she focused on Paige. She could not and would not have an emotional reaction in front of these people, especially Lisa. The woman had a say in what happened to her kids, damn it. As the meeting adjourned, Val stayed in her seat while the others left. Lisa made a point of passing behind her seat and pausing for a moment.
“So nice to see you again, Valerie. I’ll look forward to the next meeting.”
Val simply nodded, and eventually the lawyer walked out, likely pissed off if the quick, sharp staccato of her heels in the hall was any indication.
“Everything okay?” Paige asked quietly.
She stood gathering papers, very aware that something had just transpired between Val and the law guardian. Val’s lips were set in a grim line, and she stood stiffly, as if holding in some unpleasant feelings.
Val met her eyes, then looked away. “Sorry. I just didn’t expect to run into her again.”
“I take it you have a history?”
“A very brief history, yes. We were together a couple of times, and she wanted more. I didn’t, and she wasn’t too happy about it.” Val seemed embarrassed as she fidgeted with her hands. “I probably should have been nicer to her. I just didn’t want to encourage a reconnection.”
“Are you going to be okay dealing with her?” Paige asked.
“What choice do I have? She’s the law guardian,” Val replied.
“The way the courts work, she was probably assigned the case yesterday. I can request that the county give it to someone else.”
“How would you explain that? Oh, they’ve had sex, so it’s weird.” Val sighed in frustration. “It’s fine. I can be an adult about it.”
Paige smiled. “Good to know.”
Val didn’t quite smother her grin. “So what do you think will happen at Kayla’s sentencing?”
Paige set down her papers and said, “Well, my understanding is that she violated Leandra’s Law by driving under the influence with the kids in the car. That, along with the other charges, could get her some jail time.”
“What does that mean for the kids?” Val asked.
“If they go to a relative, she could petition to get them back once she’s released.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes. You know I have to explore all options with Kayla’s family members, right?”
“I know. It’s just…so many kids go to family homes that are only minimally better than the parents they’ve been taken from.” Val brushed her hair back from her face and sighed.
“It’s not a perfect system, Val. When Emma was in care with me, I almost lost her to some cousin who had popped up out of nowhere. She had never even met this person, but because she was a relative of the birth mom’s, the county had to consider her. The situation got as far as the cousin getting unsupervised weekend visits. I remember what a wreck I was, how I’d inspect every inch of Emma when she came back to me. I don’t know if you’re religious or not, but I swear divine intervention kept her from going there.”
“What happened?”
“The county found out that the cousin had a boyfriend living with her who had just gotten out of jail for drug charges. He’d only been out two months when he got busted for possession, and they found drugs and a handgun in the home. Emma never had to go back there again, but it messed with her. She was afraid to even go to daycare after that.”
Val watched the emotions wash over Paige’s face as she told the story, and she was struck not only by her deep connection to her daughter, but also by her willingness to share such a personal thing to help her cope with the challenge she was facing.
“But you had a happy ending. You got to keep Emma.”
“Yes, thank God. Her adoption day was the best day of my life.”
Val said a silent prayer that Lily and Ian would get their happy ending, too.
“So,” Paige said, brightening, “do you have to go back to work?”
“Not for another hour or so.”
“It’s gorgeous outside, and there are some picnic tables out behind the building. Would you like to go and discuss the case some more?”
Val nodded with a smile.
Outside, Paige handed Val one of the water bottles she’d snagged from the break room on her way by, then took a sip from hers as they sat down. A few county employees occupied the other picnic tables, taking smoke breaks or an early lunch, and she felt several eyes on her and Val as they claimed their table. Paige suddenly felt stupid for suggesting Val come out here.
“What’s wrong?” Val said.
“What? Oh, nothing,” Paige said, waving her hand. “It’s just not as private out here as I was hoping.”
Val’s eyes flashed as she grinned. “Do we need to be somewhere more private? To discuss the case, I mean?”
Paige’s face flushed hot. “No. Yes. Ugh.” Now she felt like the whole city’s eyes were on her. She lowered her voice. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
Val laughed. “You’re cute when you blush.”
“Stop it,” Paige said. “We’re supposed to be having a professional conversation.”
“By all means. Let’s converse.” Val’s voice still held a hint of teasing, but she sat up straight and schooled her features into a more serious look.
Paige tried to muster some semblance of professional decorum and ignore the fact that she was embarrassingly aroused. “So I just wanted to make sure you are clear on the process I have to go through regarding the kids.”
Val looked at the table. “I understand you need to look for relatives.”
“But are you okay with that? I know the kids are special to you.”
“I have to be okay with it, right? You and Connie beat it into our heads during MAPP class that foster care is usually temporary.”
“Your brain might know that, but it’s sometimes hard to convince your heart. I just want you to know that I get it, and I’m here to support you, too,” Paige replied.
“Thanks, but I’m good,” Val said. Paige could practically see the shutters fall into place as Val fought her emotions. “Whatever’s best for the kids, right?”
“That’s the idea,” Paige said.
“Well, thanks,” Val said, standing up quickly. “Guess I’d better head back to work. See you later.”
Paige watched her walk away, feeling like utter shit that her job was at odds with Val’s hopes. Would Val ever forgive her if she lost the kids?
Chapter Twelve
Ian stared up at the fire engines, a cinnamon doughnut clutched in one hand, a cup of apple cider in the other. The local volunteer fire department was holding their annual Halloween pre-trick-or-treating hot dog roast, and several dozen families were there, eating and talking. Most of the kids were running around, comparing costumes, but Ian had immediately become fascinated with the ladder truck.
“That truck is pretty awesome, huh, buddy?” Val said. “You’d better eat your doughnut, t
hough, so we can go trick-or-treating.” Ian nodded and took a huge bite.
Shaking her head with a smile, Val scanned the group nearby and saw Lily, still chatting with a couple of classmates as she finished her hot dog. Many folks were starting to head over toward the elementary school, as that neighborhood was a popular Halloween destination.
“Lil, you about ready to go?”
Lily nodded and headed her way, then with a grin, she ran right past Val. Turning, Val met the laughing eyes of Paige.
“Somebody’s excited,” Paige said, as she watched Lily and Emma exclaiming over each other’s angel costumes.
You got that right, Val thought, taking in Paige’s appearance. She was dressed as a football player, complete with helmet, shoulder pads, and tight pants. Val’s gaze kept traveling back to those pants. With a jolt, she realized she was ogling Paige. Act like a creep much? Jeez.
Mercifully, Paige was talking to Ian, telling him how handsome and brave he looked in his policeman costume. He smiled, his mouth covered with cinnamon sugar. Looking up again at Val, Paige took off the helmet, and her hair cascaded down to her shoulders.
“Ugh, this thing is making my head itch. What, no costume for you?” she said.
“I never even thought about it,” Val said, pretending to fix something on Ian’s costume that didn’t need fixing. “I haven’t dressed up for Halloween in forever.”
“Wish I had known. I could have at least brought you a witch’s hat or something. Looks like the girls are ready to go. What do you say, Ian? Let’s go get some candy.”
Ian grabbed Val’s hand and started to pull, making Paige laugh. Why did she have to be so damn sexy? Val thought, wondering why she felt a connection with Paige that she hadn’t felt with anyone else in years, and why her bad luck was making sure she couldn’t do anything about it.
“Did you get to go trick-or-treating when you were a kid?” Val asked, needing to move her mind to safer ground.
“I did, although I don’t remember it feeling like this,” Paige replied.
“What do you mean?”
“Everybody here seems to be having fun just being together. Halloween always felt like a game of one-upmanship in my neighborhood. It was all about who had the best costume, or the best decorations, or gave out the best candy. Don’t get me wrong—I was all about finding who gave out the best candy.” Paige chuckled, then sobered again. “I think I stopped wanting to go when I was about nine. So many of the other girls had turned it into a judging contest, and I was over it. What about you?”
“Our neighborhood was barely safe during the day, let alone at night. The Boys and Girls Club used to have a little parade and Halloween party in the afternoon, so we could get some candy and enjoy ourselves but be home before dark. Abuelita used to make our costumes. One year, my brother and I went as a burro. I was the backside and had to stay bent over. That was the worst.”
Paige burst out laughing. “You were the ass end of an ass?”
Val feigned outrage. “I prefer to say burro butt.”
“How about donkey derriere?” Paige said, still giggling.
“Okay, this topic has totally outlived its usefulness,” Val said, trying to suppress a grin. How had Paige lived the childhood she had yet still be so much fun? Why no one had snapped up this incredible woman was beyond her. Her curiosity took over.
“So, have you always been a single parent to Emma?” Once the words left Val’s mouth, she wanted to cram them back in. Paige had an odd look on her face, confirming to Val that she had been a complete idiot for asking.
“Well, yes, I have. Why do you ask?”
Crap. “I don’t know. Just wondered why someone as great as you isn’t with someone.” Oh my God. Please, Earth, swallow me now.
Making Val’s mortification complete, Paige laughed out loud. “Great, huh?” she said.
“What, you don’t think you’re great?” Val was feeling a little defensive now.
“I don’t know, but my last girlfriend never used that term. She was more likely to say I was too emotional, needy, annoying…but never great.” Paige’s expression grew much more serious, even a little sad, and Val felt like a fool for saying anything.
“I’m sorry, but hey, if she was too stupid to see how great you really are, then screw her, right?” Val was rewarded with a stunning smile that lit up Paige’s whole face, even in the deepening shadows of dusk.
“Thanks for saying that, Val,” she said, touching Val’s arm. “She was a major reason why I have been alone for the last eight years.” Paige kicked the toe of her sneaker through the fallen leaves on the sidewalk, as they watched the kids skip up to the next house. “It’s just been Emma and me, no complications, and I guess I’ve always been content with that.”
“I get that,” Val replied, nodding her head slowly. Suddenly, Paige turned and fixed Val with a questioning look.
“So how about you? Why don’t you have someone telling you how great you are?”
“Hey, for the sake of our self-esteem here, we need better adjectives than great. How about fabulous? Outstanding? No, wait…incredible works, don’t you think?”
Paige was laughing again, and Val realized how much she enjoyed making that happen. Plus, she was pretty sure her deflection had worked, until Paige swatted her lightly on the shoulder.
“You didn’t answer my question, Valerie.”
Val sighed. “It’s always been easier going solo. Like you said, no complications.” She was saved from further revelations when the kids ran up to them, breathless.
“Mommy, can we cross over to that side of the street now?” Emma asked.
Paige smiled. “Yep. Everybody hold hands and look for cars.” The kids immediately complied. “Okay, all clear. Let’s cross together.”
With Ian’s cold little fingers clutching hers, Val wished she was holding Paige’s hand instead.
Chapter Thirteen
Three weeks passed before Paige had the chance to see Val again. Another home visit had been scheduled for today, and when Val answered her knock on the door, Paige was amazed at the visceral reaction her body had whenever she laid eyes on Valerie. Even standing there in jeans and a hoodie, the woman was stunning.
“Hey there. Come on in.” Val’s smile was warm. “The kids just got home from school. Have a seat while I get them.”
Paige settled on the couch while Val rounded up her charges. “Come on and say hi to Miss Paige,” Val was saying as she reentered the room, followed by Ian and a grumpy-looking Lily.
“Hi, guys,” Paige said. “How are you doing?” Ian gave her a thumbs-up, but Lily just sulked, not meeting her eyes.
“Lily, Miss Paige is talking to you.” Val exchanged glances with Paige when Lily still didn’t engage. “What’s wrong, kiddo?”
Lily’s face crumbled as tears spilled down her cheeks. “I…I don’t wanna say in front of…” Lily cast her eyes in Ian’s direction.
Val nodded. “Ian, you can go back to your room to play now, okay, buddy?” He gave her a quick smile and scampered off down the hall.
Val sat on the couch, gently pulling Lily to stand before her. “What happened, Lil?”
Lily looked over at Paige, then back at Val. Before Paige could offer to leave the room, Val said, “It’s okay to tell us, honey. Maybe Miss Paige can help, too.”
Lily took a deep shaky breath. “I got into a fight. On the bus.” Her bottom lip quivered as fresh tears fell.
“A fight? Are you hurt?”
“No. It was just a yelling fight. Jimmy Valerino is a big jerk. He made fun of Ian.” Paige had to smother a smile as Lily stood, arms crossed in indignation, ever the determined protector of her little brother.
“What did he say?” Val asked.
“He called Ian a freak and said he must be retarded because he doesn’t speak.” Although Val was keeping her expression carefully neutral, Paige could see the muscles bunching in her jaw.
“Did Ian hear him?” Lily shook her head.<
br />
“Good,” Val said. “What did you say to this Jimmy?”
“I told him Ian wasn’t a freak, that retarded isn’t a nice word to call someone, and that he was the big jerk-face for making fun of a little boy.”
Val grinned, then quickly schooled her features.
“Well, I’m proud of you for sticking up for your brother. Do you think you handled the problem well?”
More tears. “No,” Lily said in a tiny voice.
“How come?”
“Because I called Jimmy names, too.”
“Like jerk-face?”
Lily nodded. “And dummy and meanie.”
“Ah,” Val said. “So you were pretty mad, huh?”
“Yeah.”
“But people shouldn’t call others names when they’re mad?”
Lily shook her head. “That’s what Mama always did when she got mad at us. I didn’t like that. She hurt our feelings.”
Val held out her arms, and Lily fell into the hug. As she rubbed Lily’s back, she said, “You are a smart and caring little girl, and you’re right. Name-calling hurts, and it isn’t okay.” After comforting the child for a moment, Val held her away at arm’s length. “If Jimmy says something again, what could you do?”
Lily thought for a moment. “I could tell him it isn’t right to make fun of people, and maybe he should try being nice.”
Val grinned. “Excellent idea. Thanks for telling me what happened. Feel better now?”
Lily nodded and smiled. “Can I go play now?”
“Absolutely.”
Paige was impressed. Instead of getting upset like many parents would, Val had problem-solved with Lily and helped her process some very big emotions. “You handled that perfectly, you know.”
Val sat back with a groan. “So you couldn’t tell that I wanted to find Jimmy what’s-his-name and beat the snot out of him?”
Paige laughed. “Nope, not at all.” Then she pointed a scolding finger at Val. “And you won’t be doing any such thing, right?”
Taking Chances Page 7