Read Online Twisted Justice by Patricia Gussin - Free Book Online Page B

little extra for Steve’s “television” clothes, and they rarely entertained. Although Laura’s income exceeded Steve’s, they bothcontributed to their combined savings and checking account and wrote checks as needed against the healthy balance.
    Laura picked up the phone on the first ring when Steve called the following Friday night. “I’m coming for the kids tomorrow at eight,” he announced, not even giving her a chance to say “hello.”
    â€œNo, tomorrow’s not your day.”
    It always annoyed Steve when Laura used that brazen tone of voice. “You had them last Saturday. Besides, we’re going to the beach tomorrow for Dad’s birthday.”
    â€œThey see plenty of your family. I’ve made plans. It’s only fair. You have them all week.”
    â€œYou know our agreement. Alternate Saturdays and Sundays every other weekend. Right?’
    â€œNo, not ‘right’. ‘Our agreement’ was your decision. Who are you to make ‘our’ decisions?”
    â€œPlease, Steve, don’t give me a hard time. You know it’s fair.”
    â€œNot seeing my kids is fair?” Steve knew his voice was rising, but where did she get off sounding so goddamned sanctimonious. He was standing at the kitchen counter and he felt like slamming his fist, but the place was so cluttered with dirty glassware he’d have sliced his hand. So he raked one hand through his hair while gripping the phone with his other. “What I know is that they want to see me more.”
    â€œOf course they want to see you.”
    Laura was trying the “let’s everybody be reasonable” move now. She was a pro at that one, trying to make him out to be a fool who couldn’t do shit.
    â€œWe have to give them some sense of structure, some kind of reliable schedule.”
    Steve couldn’t help grimace at the thought of being excluded by his in-laws. He’d always had a good time with the Whelens. The old man was a sports fan, and Laura’s mom had offered him unconditional love. Something his own mother never had. “Okay, youwant ‘structure’? So let’s give them structure. Let’s all go down to Sarasota together — as a family.”
    â€œThat won’t work. We all have to adjust to us living separately.”
    He didn’t have to take this kind of shit. “If you won’t agree to have the kids ready, you give me no choice. I’ll just call the boys separately. They’ll come with me.” Steve knew they would. They loved to fish off the bridges. Maybe he’d even rent a boat. “If you want to take the girls to your mother’s, I don’t care.”
    â€œJust this once.”
    Steve thought he was hearing things. Laura? Backing down?
    â€œI’ll switch my on-call schedule. And if you take the boys, you take the girls. They’d be heartbroken if they thought you didn’t care. Aren’t they going through enough already?”
    â€œAren’t we all?” Steve countered, still congratulating himself on his victory. “You’re the one who kicked me out. It’s still not too late to do what’s right.”
    â€œI am doing what’s right. I have an appointment with a lawyer next week.”
    â€œNo lawyer, Laura. I mean it.” Steve could feel hot anger implode in his chest. How dare she threaten him? “We don’t need a lawyer.”
    â€œI think we do. At least I do.”
    Steve looked around at the clutter, the overflowing trash can, the dirty dishes piled in the sink. Hell, he’d married Laura when he was only twenty-one. Before that he’d lived at home. How could he be expected to live by himself? Maybe for a few days, but forever? No, a divorce sounded so final. A divorce was out of the question. The best way to handle Laura was through the kids. She’d never give up those kids, even for an overnight. And they