Total pages in book: 189
Estimated words: 181808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 909(@200wpm)___ 727(@250wpm)___ 606(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 181808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 909(@200wpm)___ 727(@250wpm)___ 606(@300wpm)
“No. Some things, he would tell me about; others, he and Tanner kept it to themselves.”
“I’m sure he was doing whatever to keep you safe.”
“I don’t know anymore.” Eryn looked down at where she was holding her hand. “I figured you wouldn’t want to talk to me after you found out all the lies I told you.”
“I promised to support you through your pregnancy and afterward. I take that promise seriously. I’m here to be your cheerleader, not judge you.”
“I’m sure there’s going to be plenty of that in my future.”
Wishing she could relieve her of that fear, she held back her assurances, not wanting to lie.
“It’s okay. I’m not stupid, even though you’d never know it from the mess I’m in. That’s why I wanted to talk to you. Your sister said Knox brought my kids here.”
“Yes.”
“I’m going to lose them.”
“Temporarily.” Larissa had to be honest with her. “You can get a lawyer.”
“I’ve lost them. I knew the moment Tanner wouldn’t let that woman leave. She was trying to give me a break, and he even fucked that up for me. I won’t be getting out of prison anytime soon, and even then, my kids will be grown, and it won’t matter, anyway.”
“Would your niece’s parents be able to take your children, or are there any other family members who could?”
“That worthless bitch is in worse shape than me. She’s pulling thirty years for armed robbery, inflicting great bodily harm. We’re both going to be old and gray before we get out. Her father was killed during the robbery. There isn’t anyone else.” Eryn’s eyes pleaded with her. “You’ve always done me right; that’s why I wanted to talk to you. I’m not asking you to take care of a handful of kids who aren’t blood-related to you, but could you check on them every so often and make sure they’re in a good place? Like you did me? They deserve to be in a better home than I can give them. Some place pretty would be nice, too. I’m not going to fight to get custody back. I’ve been a crappy mom so far, and they deserve better than I can give them.”
“Eryn, you’re just emotional right now—you just had a baby. Maybe a lawyer could get you a deal if you testify against them.”
“You don’t get what I’m saying … I’m saying I’m not going to fight to get them back. I’m going to sign them over. I’m going to give them a better chance than I got handed. Just check on them for me, okay? That’s all I’m asking you for. I’m not going to be able to do it myself locked up. It’d be nice if you’d send pictures every now then, but you don’t have to. Can you do that for me?” Eryn’s tired eyes pleaded with her.
“I can do that,” she answered huskily.
“Thank you.” Eryn’s body seemed to shrink under the white blanket. “You’re good people. I knew that the minute I met you.”
Larissa wanted to break down in tears at the woman’s defeated expression.
A sound at the doorway heralded the arrival of an orderly to transport Eryn to the maternity ward.
“I’ll come and visit you tomorrow,” she promised, stepping away from the bed.
“You don’t have to, but it’d be nice if you did.”
Larissa nodded. “I’ll have Knox keep me updated on your children, too.”
Following the hospital bed out of the room, she found Knox standing just outside the door.
They remained silent until Eryn was farther away.
“She isn’t as stupid as she thinks she is. She’s smart enough to know she’s in a shitload of trouble. Did I hear Eryn right? Is she willing to sign her kids over?”
“Yes, but she’s emotional right now.”
Knox’s expression was harsh. “Save it for the jury. She’s doing them a favor. You didn’t look inside that house; I did.”
“You’re going to call CPS?”
“I have to, unless you have a better idea?” Knox said fatalistically. “Your sister is going to admit them to the hospital for tonight. That’ll give CPS time to find a couple of homes for them.”
“They’ll have to go to different homes?”
“Most likely. There aren’t a lot of foster homes in Treepoint. Shame Eryn doesn’t have any relatives she could her sign rights over to. The wheels move faster when they try to keep kids within the families.”
“How long does it take to become a foster parent?”
“Depends on who you know.” Knox raised a questioning eyebrow. “You thinking of taking them in?”
“I would if I could, but my sisters and I are sharing a one-bedroom apartment right now; there’s no room. They’re also going to need someone who can spend time with them.”
“Then who are you thinking of?”
“I’m thinking Crazy Bitch has a pretty big house.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
TWO MONTHS LATER…
Larissa tiredly let herself into the apartment they were still sharing. The time was rapidly approaching where she was going to have decide about staying in Treepoint or moving back to Bowling Green. How many times had she regretted letting her sister convince her to come to Treepoint? Too many to count.