Page 16 of Trick or Treat

“Let me take just a few minutes to skim over the highlights.”

“Sure.” His gaze dropped to the front of Mr. Phillips desk and saw that there was an intricate carving of Lady Justice, her eyes covered in a blindfold, holding a sword in one hand and a set of scales in the other. The craftsmanship was impressive. On the opposite wall from where Reagan was playing was an entire wall of bookshelves with tons and tons of books.

The secretary that told him where to find Mr. Phillips’ office came in and placed a small plate with fruit on it. He could see apple slices, grapes and strawberries. Next to that she set a small glass of milk. Reagan tipped her head back and gave the woman one of her killer smiles. “Thank you.”

He grinned as the secretary said, “She’s such a cutie.”

“Thanks.” He winked at Reagan as she went for a strawberry.

“I see you had Bill Cranston as your attorney?” By the way Mr. Phillips said the other man’s name and the way his mouth kind of twisted, Trick could tell the man wasn’t impressed.

“Yes.”

“You said on the phone that he has been stringing you along, not really helping you get custody of your kids and milking you for every cent, correct?”

“Yes.” Trick crossed one leg, settling his ankle over his knee.

“Just with the quick glance I got of your file so far, I have to agree with you. The man has the reputation for doing this to a lot of people. I’ll need more time to go through all of this more thoroughly, but I can definitely help you.” Mr. Phillips leaned back in his chair, focusing on Trick.

“I’d really appreciate it. I’ve got this feeling that as each day goes by the wellbeing of my children is less and less of a priority to their mom.” Trick glanced Reagan’s direction to make sure she wasn’t listening in. He tried to make it a point not to talk badly about their mom in front of them because he was sure she wasn’t the least bit afraid to bad mouth him in front of the kids.

“As you know, a bad feeling won’t hold up in court. We need hard evidence that proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that she is neglecting the children.” Mr. Phillips spoke only loud enough for Trick to hear.

“I know. That’s what Cranston said, too. I’m just afraid her drinking is escalating. I’ve had to bail her out of jail once because she was drinking and ran off the road, crashing into a tree. Thank God I had the kids that night.” He watched Reagan playing with her Barbies as he continued. “I also got stuck with the repair bill on that.” He took a deep breath, let his leg drop to the floor and leaned forward so that his arms rested on his knees. “Ever since her sister came back to town things have gotten worse. She’s bitter because she feels she ‘missed out on her youth.’” He emphasized the last part. “She acts like the kids are a burden but she won’t let me have them full-time. I know she’s aware that if she doesn’t have the kids her free ride is over.

“As you’ll see in those papers,” he tipped his head toward the file in front of the lawyer, “she got the house with the stipulation that I’d pay the mortgage for the first year and she had to get a job to take over payments after that. She still doesn’t have a job and I seriously doubt that she’s ever looked for one.

“I’m paying a shit ton of child support and yet my kids never have clothes that fit at her house. Despite the fact that she still doesn’t work, three years after the divorce, she sends Reagan to daycare. Michelle doesn’t do anything all day long, why does she need to send my kids to daycare? And why do I have to pay for it? If she doesn’t pay the electric or the mortgage, I get stuck paying for it that, too. She knows I’m not going to let my kids live like that and that I’ll pay the damn bills. She’s draining me dry.” He ran a hand over his mouth in aggravation.

“In the divorce, I’m supposed to get the kids every Wednesday and every other weekend, which is total bullshit. Just because I belong to a biker club doesn’t mean I’m not a good parent. I love my kids. I would do anything for them. So, when she calls on her weekends for me to take the kids so she can go out partying with her sister, I take them. I will always take them. She calls me when they’re sick and she doesn’t want to deal with it. Oh, and she showed up at Open House with my son dressed like a hooker and booze on her breath. He was totally embarrassed.”

Trick leaned back in his chair. “I know my kids love their mom, but I just don’t think living with her the majority of the time is in their best interests. I need you to help me get custody of my kids. Can you do that?”

Mr. Phillips leaned forward, folding his arms on his desk. He stared Trick right in the eyes and said, “Mr. O’Malley, Iwillhelp you get custody of your kids. With what we have right now, I don’t think we can make that happen just yet. I want you to go home and start a diary of sorts. I want you to document all the things you told me with the dates, what happened, when she calls you to take the kids during her time. The bills you pay for her, the money you spend on the kids that is outside the divorce agreement. Everything.” He smiled at Trick. “How’s that sound?”

“It sounds amazing if you can do it.”

Mr. Phillips stood and came around the desk. Trick stood as well, then accepted the man’s hand. “We’ll get it done. You call me with any new information at any time.” He handed him a business card, wrote something on the back and handed it to him. “That’s my cell number. Call me any time.”

Trick’s brows knitted together. “Why are you doing this?”

“Because my brother’s ex-wife did the same thing to him. He belongs to a biker club in Montana and the courts didn’t think he was a fit father because of it. I helped him get his kids and I’m going to help you get yours.”

Trick was at a loss for words. Could this man be for real? Was he really going to get him his kids? He was afraid to get his hopes up. His throat got a little choked up knowing this man could very well get him Reagan and Keegan. “Thank you.” He shook the man’s hand, gathered up Reagan and thanked the secretary for giving her a snack before he exited the building feeling like a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

“Thank you,”Lindsey leaned back and allowed the waitress to place her food on the table. “Mmmm. Looks so good.” She glanced across the table to see how the other two’s meals turned out. Cami had ordered the salmon and Jenna ordered the baked chicken and rice. Both looked really good, but Lindsey was in the mood for vegetables and opted for the chopped salad with steak. The best of both worlds.

Meeting for dinner after the first day of school had become a tradition for the three friends. It had been Cami’s idea to celebrate after their very first first day of school to see what Lindsey and Jenna thought about their very first year as teachers. Lindsey could honestly say that she was just as excited today to be a teacher as she was back then, if not more so.

“Well, how was your first day?” Cami was asking Jenna while the waitress served their food.

“I have this one little girl that didn’t stop crying all day,” she replied while cutting into her lemon pepper grilled chicken. “Poor little thing. If she’s not dehydrated after all those tears, I’d be surprised. At one point she cried herself to sleep and I just left her like that for a little while, hoping she’d wake up in a better mood.”

“Did she?” Cami asked, spreading dill sauce over her salmon.

“A little better. I’m crossing my fingers that tomorrow is a better day.” Jenna took her first bite and moaned in pleasure.

“Hopefully, she won’t be as bad as the little boy you had last year that peed his pants every day for the whole first week.” Lindsey poured her ranch dressing over her salad and mixed it all together, making sure it was evenly spread throughout. She’d been so very happy that she hadn’t gotten that one.

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