Page 48 of Unwrapped By the Grumpy Mountain Man
“When CPS arrived, Kristy answered high and half-naked. She was…in the middle of–”
“For fuck’s sake, Sanford, you’re a grown ass adult. Say it how it is,” I growl, fury rushing up and down my veins, knowing the girls were there during this.
“She was fucking some MC guy and…the girls were locked in one of their rooms.”
“Fuck!” I punch the nearest wall, welcoming the radiating pain deep in my bones, the sting from broken skin at my knuckles.
“Keep it together,” Sanford demands. “You need to keep your shit together before CPS shows up to hand over the girls, you hear me, Wilder? Those girls need you to keep your shit together. Where’s Violet?”
“At her family home, checking in on her deadbeat father,” I grunt, flexing my hand, the ache in the movements flaring pain up my arm.
“Whatever you just did to your hand, go wrap that shit immediately, and if there’s a hole somewhere, put a fucking picture frame over it. This is not the time to give them one single doubt or reason to withhold full custody. Focus,” he orders.
I walk over to the kitchen, run my hand under ice-cold water and regulate my breathing as I listen.
“I got it locked down. Tell me.”
“There was enough evidence. From demanding Kristy unlock the girls' bedroom, to then seeing the girls upset, and Kristy fighting the rep and then the officer to warrant removal.”
The ire in my blood quickly turns to deep emotion. My eyes flood with tears as I rub my forehead, “They had to witness that shit, Sanford. They,” I choke.
“I know, Hud,” He keeps his voice low. “I wish they didn’t, and I hate for all of you that this is what’s getting us what we’ve fought for. But now, we have to focus on the good. They get to come home to you. You and that sunshine Violet will distract them with cookies, and whatever else has got all of you wrapped around her finger. And together, your girls will heal from this. Because of your love for them. That’s what matters right now.”
He’s right. This was the thing I secretly hoped for. For Kristy to fuck up enough to guarantee custody. Be careful what you wish for, they say. My girls are paying the ultimate price.
Sanford relays what needs to be done until the judge finalizes his decision. We hang up, and I immediately call Vi.
“Hey,” she greets. “I should be done here in like twenty more–”
“Vi,” I croak, rubbing my eyes, breathing deeply.
“Hud? What’s wrong? What happened? Are the girls okay? Are you hurt?”
“The girls are on their way.”
She’s silent for a moment. “But it’s Tuesday, did something…oh God,” she whispers. “Did something happen?”
“Can you come home?” I ask, desperately needing her light right now to chase the darkness that has me wanting to drive over and verbally rip Kristy a new asshole while simultaneously begging the gods to reverse time and spare my daughters from that entire day.
“I’m on my way,” she says. That’s it. I asked, and she’s coming. No further questions. I really do love that woman.
The girls arrive and Lucy and Angie are crying into my arms, refusing the let me go, as Violet arrived ten minutes before they did and held me before CPS pulled in. Silvie is numb, but thankfully, willing to listen to Violet as she guides us all inside. It’s Ms. Barnes again, who pulled me outside for a minute, updating me on everything Sanford already did. That was lucky because I was able to contain my emotions better in front of her.
“Officially,” she says, “this is a temporary order. But given the custody case you all were already finalizing, I can say with confidence, you’ll most likely have permanent custody as their primary parent before the New Year.”
“Thank you for helping them pack and being there for them through…that.” A knot tightens around my ribs, breathing being a chore.
“You’re a good man, Mr. Wilder. I’m sorry the system failed you and them.”
“I wasn’t always one,” I confess. “They had their reasons.”
“I’ve been on this case longer than you’ve known, have looked thoroughly through this case’s records. You aren’t everything that was reported against you. Hopefully, Ms. Abram gets the help she needs. For herself and for those girls.”
We shake hands, and I give myself a minute as she and the officer drive away. Once my throat doesn’t feel like hands are increasing pressure, stealing my oxygen, I turn around and prepare to be the rock my girls need and deserve.
The next two hours have felt heavy. I had to explain to the girls in a language they could understand that they would be living with me and Violet from now on. The expressions were conflicting. Joy but also worry.
“What’s going to happen to Mommy?” Lucy whispers, hugging her plushie.
