CHAPTER 64 - RELIEF...THEN MOANING, MARIE, FIZZ AND POP

KINNETIC - THURSDAY MORNING

TED’S OFFICE

TED

I look at the account again, and still see nothing from the idiot-savant as Blake and I have taken to calling him. He is mentally defective. I mean he has to be, right? And he has no exceptional skills or talent in any specialised field unless it’s making a tool out of himself.

Mel showed me the letter from him, and as a dear friend of mine says, fine words butter no parsnips! I look up at the familiar rattatattat of Ems and then he pops his head round the door.

“Can I come in?” I nod and sigh. “Have you heard yet?” He sits down in front of me and I shake my head, twirling my phone.

“They’ve only just got there.” I sigh again. “It’s a shame, but they had to find out. But if they’re not linked, Justin will be disappointed. He’ll love them just the same but I know he wants to be an actual father.”

Ems nods and once again we check our phones.

DOCTOR SHAW’S OFFICE [BRIAN’S DOCTOR] - FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER

JUSTIN

I keep my breathing deep and even as I cradle Lee. I look across at Ruth and Arno. She winks at me, but Arno said she was praying last night. Brian is holding Harper and has given up all pretence that he is not worrying!

“Sorry! I had to double check on something.” He sits down and grins at us. “Relax. They don’t carry the cancer gene either.”

“Let us take them.” Arno whispers, approaching with Ruth.

We hand them over and although he’s not crying, he is trembling as I soak his shirt in relief.

“Would you like me to give you a few minutes?” Dr Shaw asks and I feel Brian shake his head. “So the rest of the results, are you ready?” I stay in his arms and nod. “Before I get to that do you have a theory, mom?”

“I think that Lee is Justin’s and Harper is Brian’s.”

He frowns at her. “Hmm. Did you speak to my brother?”

“No, just look at them!” She laughs. We find it funny that she and Brian both have Doctors named Shaw, and even weirder that they are brothers.

“So with regards to the sickle cell, they both carry the trait for that. Just the trait, so it’s manageable. Allergies, they don’t have any.”

Although I am relieved to hear that, I am also disappointed, because that means that Brian…

“Justin. Justin, hey daddy focus!” Arno laughs and hands me Lee.

“Sorry, what were you saying?” I adjust her in my arms.

“Ruth was right. You’re a 75% match to Lee and Brian is an 80% match to Harper.”

“Oh.” I look down at Lee and smile. But instead of smiling back, she pokes her tongue out at me. I turn to Brian. “And I can see what 25% of you she’s inherited.”

“What? I am a pillar of good manners!”

“Of course you are.” I nod sagely. “Of course you are.”

“Right, that is us done.” Dr Shaw smiles. “Now take those beauties home and in two weeks back for their shots.”

We all nod. Even though Ruth has given up her rights, she had to be here for this and will be for every other milestone in their lives, too!

“Teddy, spread the word. They’re all clear...ouch! Was that Emmy Lou? Thank God because having two friends squeal like that would just be too much. Okay we’ll VC later.”

MEL’S OFFICE - FRIDAY MID-MORNING

MEL

I am so relieved that this morning’s case was cancelled, my relief is temporary as there is an email from the idiot. He wants us to do mediation as opposed to full court. “I’ll just bet he does.” I snark to myself. Then I read some more and sit back then email Nancy the letter that he sent. Something is just off about it.

“Hey girlie, fancy brunch?” I look up in surprise at Ruth and then at my watch.

“Sure. How you doing, mommy?” I give her a hug.

“Bummed about the sickle cell but very happy.” She looks thoughtful. “What exactly did Ted tell you?”

“That they are fine, about the sickle cell and that’s it. If Brian told Ted about the DNA, Ted has not told me and he called everyone individually except Emmy.”

“Why not Emmy?”

“Calm yourself. He was with Ted when Brian called.”

“Oh.” She gives an abashed smile. “So how bad did you want to drive on Sunday?” She smirks as we come up to her push present.

“So bad! When Carl pulled up, I was gutted…” She waves the keys at me. “Thank you! Leda is going to be pissed since she manhandled me to get the front seat!”

“Where’d you want to go?” She asks when she stops laughing. I feel the warmth creeping up my face. “Mel?”

“Can we go home to check on Fizz? I’m sure she and Pop are fine but…”

“Pop?”

“According to the veterinary oracle that is Leda, kittens thrive better in pairs.”

“So how many did you get for agreeing?”

“Three!” I smirk. “With no cum down in between!”

“Want me to get that?” She indicates my flashing phone and I nod. “Melanie Marcus’s line. Yeah it’s Ruth, hi Nancy, how’s Oz? Good to hear. She’s driving, shall I take a message or get her to call you back?” She frowns and nods. “Alright no worries, will pass that on, g’day mate!”

“What did she say?”

“That Lindsay’s proof reading and writing skills have improved.”

“That’s what I thought. The letter that Michael was supposed to send, she edited it for him before I got it. What did your mom say about the lease?” She looks at me blankly. “Ah I see, let's get inside and I’ll explain.”

When Leda comes in ten minutes after us, she looks embarrassed. “I’m here in my professional capacity. What's your excuse and with the wine?”

“Case was cancelled, then an email from the idiot and Ruth timed her arrival perfectly as usual.”

“Uh huh…” She snickers.

“And I’m working from home for the rest of the day.” She lifts her eyebrow at the wine. “Shush!”

Three hours later, Arno comes to collect a very relaxed Ruth. “How much did you guys have to drink?” He smiles at her curled up on the sofa with Fizz and Pop on top of her.

“Two bottles between us…”

“That’s a bottle each! Since the Caramels came, her tolerance is shot to shit!”

“Leda helped too!” I point out a tiny bit defensively.

He just smiles. “This need reinforcements or is Leda staying?”

“Lindsay is here tomorrow so she’s staying.”  I look across at Ruth and am amazed that she’s sucking her thumb!

“Don’t tell her you saw that!” Arno chortles. “She would be mortified! Okay, let me get them…” He raises an eyebrow. “Off her and take my ladyship home. Where are her keys?”

“Side table. Leda! Ruth is going now! Arno might need help!” I yell and Ruth sleeps right through that!

“Thanks for getting her drunk.” Arno smirks.

“Welcome!” Leda chirrups handing me a cup of coffee. “Drink! Then it’s a nap for you. You need to be battle ready tomorrow!”

With a wobbly salute, I sip my coffee and watch Arno carry his ladyship out.

MICHAEL’S APARTMENT, OHIO - FRIDAY EVENING

LOUNGE

I am reading a comic while waiting for Lindsay to call me back. We’re trying to find out a time from Mel so that I can call Lindsay and speak to JR. I want to re-establish myself as the daddy in our relationship. As my phone rings, I don’t look at the ID and just put it on speaker.

“Hey Lindz. How are you...”

“It’s not Lindz, its Fletch, your attorney. Apologies for the lateness of the call. Ms Marcus has received your letter but not, according to her, your support payment. I thought we agreed that you would send both at the same time. And just why have you been contacting her directly?”

I sigh heavily. “No Fletch, I hadn’t forgotten. I was waiting until the mediation started so that we can negotiate a revised sum.”

“Mediation? A revised sum?”

“Yes. With the contribution from my soon to be former husband and with my income being less…”

“Mr Novotny, do not contact Ms Marcus directly anymore. You need to pay at least three months support to bring it up to date immediately. Please send me confirmation of your support payments once relinquished from your account. Good night.”

“Good…” Before I can finish, he hangs up. I have to admit to being pissed by that! I am about to ring him back when Lindsay’s call comes through.

“Hey, how are you?” I ask dully.

“About as happy as you sound. I had hoped to have the children at the apartment but Mel is refusing saying that I have to come to her! I had thought this nonsense was over and done with by now. I don’t like being watched while bonding with my children!”

“What time are you getting there?” I ask, setting up the payment for Mel at the same time and I email her to tell her what I’m doing without copying him in. “I want to speak to JR.”

“About 1100. Should be interesting with just the two of us there.” She snorts. “Let’s see how she behaves when she doesn’t have her back-up bitches behind her!”

“I can’t wait to hear about it.” I wait for Mel’s response to my email...nothing. “Look, I have to go. I need to speak to the lead bitch about support anyway!”

“Alright, we’ll talk on Saturday evening or Sunday. Oh and let me have your flight information too.”

“Will do.” I immediately dial Mel’s line and she sounds like she’s half asleep. “Mel, its Michael. Did you see my email?”

“Michael who?”

“Very funny Mel!” I snark. “Did you check your emails yet?”

“Seriously, who is this?” The voice grumbles and I have to look at my phone. Yes, it’s definitely the right number.

“Mel, I don’t have time for your idea of fun and games! Check your email and respond accord…”

“Look buddy, I have no fucking idea who you are but you had better get some manners! This is…”

“I am Michael Novotny, the father to Jenny Rebecca buddy. Mel, this is childish and…”

“She doesn’t take after you, thank God!” The voice says and then there is muffled speech before Mel comes on the phone.

“Mel, is that really you?” I drawl sarcastically.

“Michael I was asleep. You were speaking to Leda…”

“Of course, I was. Of course, I was.” I roll my eyes at her obvious lie. “Now that it’s you, can you check your emails and bank?”

“Give me ten minutes and I’ll call you back.”

“Are you sure? I can wait until tomorrow, wouldn’t want to disturb you and Leda.” I take great delight in goading her and am unsurprised when she hangs up. “Leda... yeah right! Like there’s a Leda!”

MEL’S HOUSE - SATURDAY MID-MORNING

LINDSAY

Okay Mel, I know how to work you. You’re not in court, you don’t have the bitchy back-up band; it will be me and you and what’s mine.  It’s just you and me here now so it’s time to get back to normal, where I run this, not you!

I straighten my jeans and top and knock on the door. I can hear Gus shouting that I should be let in. Damn straight! In fact, I should have a key! But let’s get her back to being properly cowed first. I am startled when I hear Marie’s voice behind me.

“Lindsay, is that you? How have you been?”

“Uh fine, Marie. And you?”

“Great! I haven’t seen you in such a long time. You’ve been gallivanting in the art world, I understand.”

Gallivanting?!

“I was representing some auspicious artists if that’s what you mean.” I reply smoothly.

“It’s not, but you dress it up however you want.” Marie replies, coolly.

Dress it up? What is her problem?

“Hey Marie!” Mel calls from the upstairs window. “Catch!” She drops the keys down and Marie lets us in and I bite the inside of my cheek!

As I enter the lounge, I come to a halt. During my visits with Gus and JR, they have always been at a hotel or the apartment. There’s been some major changes to her place!

“You’ve decorated, I see.” I look at Mel as she comes down and swallow down my irritation as she’s wearing a Vera Wang top that I had waitlisted and was so pleased that I finally got. Well there is nothing I can do about that top now, but my trousseau is building nicely!

“They’re in the fridge in the usual spot!” She calls out to Marie, who swans around like she owns the place!

“Where’s Gus and JR?” I demand and pull out my phone. “I need to call Michael to let him know the best time to call JR.”

“Upstairs with Leda and in an hour.”

“What’s Leda doing here?”

“Taking care of my pussies.” She replies.

“Nailed it!” Marie laughs from the kitchen, leaning against the counter and sipping tea.

“Sorry Marie but…” I bristle, looking beady eyed at her.

“No, you’re not. But because that’s what you said you were, we have to take that. But we all know face to face, it’s different. You’ve changed, and I’m so glad that Dusty is no longer around to see what you’ve become. A selectively misanthropic old harridan, who is stuck between two worlds and can’t reach either of them. You can only watch them spin out of your orbit. Yes, you are a truly sorry person, indeed.”

“Mommy?! Hello?!” Gus’s voice calls out from the stairs before I can put Marie in her proper place. I hate that! “Are you there mommy?”

“Yes darling, mommy’s here.” I glare at the eye roll that Marie and Mel gives me and go to meet my son only to just stare at him. “Gus, what has happened to you?”

“Isn’t it neat, mommy?!” He slowly comes down the stairs to greet me. With green hair.

“Why is my son’s hair green?!”

“Ah, still selectively reading your emails, huh?” Marie interjects. “Or do the non-existent emails from your illustrious and auspicious clients take precedence?”

“I was a tree mommy and my hair was my leaves. Momma said I could leave it to show you.”

“Gus-Gus!” JR calls down. She has pink hair!

“She was a rose.” He explains, smiling and heading to the kitchen. “Aunt Marie, have you taken the cookie mix for them?”

“Yes Gus, I have. Thank you.”

“Fizz! Pop!” JR exclaims, sitting down on the landing. “Where be?”

“Mel? Can you get Gummy for me?”

“I can…” I begin and start to head up the stairs.

“You can but you won’t because if you could’ve, you’d have done it by now.” Marie whispers as Mel passes her smirking.

Oh, I have had enough of this!

“Marie, might I have a word please?”

“No.” She answers quietly so as not to alert Gus. “I’ve said my piece and I don’t care to hear yours.” I’m flabbergasted. “Now Gus, I’ve got to go. Remember to be good for your mommies and Aunt Leda, okay?”

“Yes, Aunt Marie.” He gives this sudden viper a hug. “Are you sure we can do it next weekend?”

“Yes Gus. I’m sure. Now let me have a kiss from this rosebud and be off!” Once JR has been unwound from her neck, she leans into me. “Don’t you have a phone call to make? You know to your fellow parent of the year.” I am too astonished to do anything except watch the door close behind her.

“Wow! Who knew she had that to say?” Mel shakes her head. “If you’re wondering why, it’s because you did the one thing you accused Brian of... As far as she’s concerned, you abandoned your children by choice. She would give anything to have Dusty here but you just walked or tried to walk into a world that doesn’t want you.”

“Fizz! Pop!” JR says again, this time looking at Leda.

I purse my lips. “I don’t think it’s appropriate for her to be given those kinds of drinks this early in the morning.”

Leda just laughs. “When Mel said I was looking after her pussies, she meant it. Fizz and Pop are the names of the kittens.” She clicks her tongue and two kittens sneak out from under the stairs and immediately run to the kitchen with JR after them. “I look after all three pussies exceptionally well.”

Before I can make a retort, Mel comes back shaking her head. “Michael has back paid all the support money and wants his rights reinstated, just like that.”

“And that’s a problem?” I ask, trying to cast my mind back to when we were having issues with Brian.

“The problem is, my dear Lindsay, times have changed. The rules then don’t exist anymore. He can’t negotiate and would’ve been told that by his attorney, though I doubt he listened. It has to go to court. Tell him that when you speak to him.” She sighs when another email comes in. “Oh and also tell him that his attorney has apologised on his behalf for his behaviour last night and suggests that I record all conversations in future.”

Oh for fuck sake, Michael!

“Oh my goodness!” Mel gasps. “This is so exciting!”

“What is?” Leda asks, trying to see her phone.

“Some of the images for Rage the Movie have been released and oh…” She looks at her phone and then me. “Justin and Ginny must have been having a bad day when they thought of and drew that! Someone is not going to be happy! Seriously, he seriously did that?! Oh my, too priceless! Let me just see here for a second! Yes I can forward it on, Marie is going to love this!”

My heart sinks, but I know I have to make the call. I head to the kitchen and Michael picks up quickly. I grab my iPad and while he speaks to JR, I try to find the images but can’t! I head to the lounge and find Gus playing with the kittens with JR.

“No JR don’t pull the kitten’s tail it…Wait, where’s my phone?” I head back to the kitchen to see where she left it.

“JR darling, where did you put mommy’s phone?” I ask her once I’m back in the lounge.

She frowns at me. “Mommy phone. There.” She points at Mel’s phone.

I cringe at the smirk on Leda’s face. “No, the phone I gave you to talk to daddy on. Where is that phone?”

“Poopy.”

“You want to go to the bathroom, Gummy?” Mel asks.

“No. Poopy.” She repeats.

“Mel, can you please help me? I need my phone.” I keep as much edge and panic out of my voice as I possibly can! “Imagine if it was the other way around.”

“I wouldn’t have left her unsupervised in the first place.”

“Momma!” Gus comes running in wide eyed and excited. “The tray is talking!”

“The tray? What tray?”

“The tray you said we weren’t allowed to put our hands in. It’s talking! Come and see!”

KITCHEN

LEDA

As soon as he said tray, I knew what he meant and started to smile. Sure enough, he points to the litter tray. Seems that our ingenious little Gummy decided to bury the phone and used the scoop to put it in there. Naturally, Pop has come in and decided it’s time to go.

“Oh, you have got to be kidding?!” Lindsay seethes before looking at the two of us. “Well get it out of there!”

“It’s your phone, so you get it!” I reply and Mel walks out before she can even demand.

“May I at least have some gloves?” She says weakly and then shudders as she has to move deposits to get it out and amazingly enough Michael is still talking. He gives a new meaning to the term talking shit.

I just barely contain my laugh before I advise her. “I’d put it back if I were you. Seems the best place for him!” I scoop up Pop and walk out.

LINDSAY

I feel my stomach roil with the stench of the tray. It seems that JR may have dropped the phone because the screen is cracked. Sighing, I put him on speaker.

“Michael!”

The line is very crackly and the screen is blinking, but I can just about hear him.

“Oh hi Lindsay. I was talking to JR, where’d she go?”

“She went away a while ago.”

“So who have I been talking to?” I can almost see him frowning as his incessant whine has increased in intensity.

“A kitten’s ass.” I sigh and want to yell in frustration as my phone pops and dies!

Fizz and Pop