Page 19 of Scythe's Salvation
Me: Our first date! I can’t wait.
Magic Fingers:
Me: Until tomorrow, babe.
I grin as I close our text stream, happy that she agreed to go to lunch with me. I’m one step closer to achieving my ultimate goal—making her my ol’ lady. Game on, Tamara, game fucking on!
CHAPTER
TWELVE
Tamara
As Chanceand I sit and eat, I decide to broach the subject of the summons I received the day before. “Hey, buddy, remember how I told you that your biological father left when he found out I was carrying you?”
Chance nods, his mouth full. Once he’s done chewing and swallowing, he says, “My friend, Milo, says that means he’s a pussy.”
I nearly choke on the sip of water I just took. Out of the mouths of babes, I swear! “Chance, that’s not a word you should use at your age.”
“But it’s true, Mommy. I know it’s not a nice word the way Milo used it, but if he was a real man, he wouldn’t have left. I bet Scythe wouldn’t have left you!”
While I don’t voice it, I agree with my son. Scythe seems to be cut from a different cloth when it comes to men. Where most I’ve come in contact with lose interest as soon as they find out I’vegot a child, Scythe seems to be willing to jump in with both feet. I think about how he was when we were fishing; showing a level of patience with a five-year-old that most people don’t possess. Plus, he fit in at Amara’s house as if he’d been part of our lives for years.
A slow burn courses through me that maybe, just maybe, in spite of the drama that Tim seems determined to bring into our lives, I’ve found a man willing to stand next to me and weather the storm. I know in terms of experience, I’m way out of my depth. I mean, I’ve heard stories of the parties the Imperial Knights have had, but I know that many of them are now taken, so perhaps that part of his life has changed. Still, if he’s interested, even if just for a little while, it wouldn’t hurt to dust off the cobwebs, as Amara has often said.
“I don’t know, Chance, because I don’t know him well enough to say what you’ve stated is true.”
“Mommy, he hunted mud bugs with a little kid,me, and nobody else has ever done that!” Chance exclaims. “I like him. So does Memaw.”
I giggle because after Hester practically chewed him a new one with regard to his intentions, he got the biggest filets, and more hush puppies than the rest of us. “Well, Memaw is a good judge of character. So, it wouldn’t bother you if Scythe and I went out on a date?”
Shit, I’m getting way off topic now, but I need to know if me dating will upset my son. Once I hear his response, I’ll try to bring us back to the subject at hand.
“Nope,” he proclaims. “Can I go play now? I’m all done eating.”
“Just one more thing because we kind of went sideways for a few minutes. Your biological dad has moved back to Roanoke, and he’s wanting visitation with you. In order to get that, you’ll have to have a DNA test done to prove that he’s really your father. I believe he has two younger children, as well, so you’ll have siblings to play with, won’t that be nice?”
Chance’s eyebrows raise to his hairline. “He wants to visit menowafter all these years? This isn’t like one of those lovey dovey movies you watch on Hallmark. I bet he’s up to something, Mommy.”
Sometimes, my boy is smarter than his age because I’ve thought the same damn thing. “Still, whether or not he is, we have a legal document that says you have to have this test, buddy. It won’t hurt or anything, but if you refuse, I’ll be held in contempt of court.”
“What does that mean? You won’t let me stay up to watchLaw and Order, remember?” he asks.
“It means the judge could put me in jail until you comply, or agree with getting the test done,” I tell him.
“Fine, but I better not miss practice because of this test,” he seethes.
“Shouldn’t be a problem, Chance. It’s just a Q-tip thing that they use to swab the inside of your cheek. Then a lab does what they do, and it’ll show the likelihood of you being his son.”
“But I don’t get a choice on if I take this test or not, right?” he asks.
“No, buddy, I’m sorry but you have to do it. We know what the results will say, but I’m meeting with an attorney later thismorning to make sure I know all my rights when it comes to you and allowing him to be involved in your life.”
“Then I’ll do it. Because I don’t want you to go to jail, Mommy,” Chance finally says.
“I don’t want to go either, but I will always protect you and if that means going to jail, then I’ll do it while smiling,” I reply.
I’m nervous as I approach the clubhouse, although I’m unsure why. I mean, I know Scythe, and of course, Roxy, but I have no idea who else might be present. Thankfully, the clinic was open early, and I was able to take Chance by and get the DNA test done. I have the slip of paper to give to Mr. Albertson so he can secure the results for the court.
