Free Whiskey Lullaby by Dawn Martens, Emily Minton Page B

Yes, I cheated on her. I get it; I really do. I hurt her, but do I really deserve to lose my children because of it? I sit on my couch itching to grab the bottle of whiskey, but I don’t. I’m supposed to pick up Jenny tonight, and I would never drink with my daughter around.
    I know it makes me look like a coward, but I’m still so fucking pissed at Julie that I can’t even go to her house. I end up calling Matty and ask him to go and pick up Jenny for me. I know if I go over there, that I will say something shitty and end up hating myself for it later on. I don’t want to do that, because I am going to have Julie back someday. It just doesn’t look like it will be any day soon.
     
     
    ******
    Julie
    Jase leaves and I feel sick all over again. Bec is still in the bathroom when I rush back in to empty my stomach. She hands me some paper towels quietly. “For what it’s worth, I really am sorry , Julie,” she says. I look over at her and she’s crying.
    “Why though , Bec? You were my best friend. Why did you have to do that to me?”
    “I can’t explain it. I never wanted to hurt you.”
    “Then why the bitch act when I came back?” I say, not believing she’s sincere.
    “Let’s just say, Brittany rubs off on a person,” she says shaking her head.
    I stand up , flush the toilet, head over to the sink and finish cleaning up again. “How could you become friends with her anyway? You’ve hated her as much as Kristen and I ever did.”
    “After I screwed everything up with you two, I was alone. I needed a friend, and she was there. Two messed up souls, we just clicked. Although, half the time, I still hate her.”
    I just shake my head. I want so badly to reach over to Bec and hug her , but I’m still hurt by what she did. “I have to get back to work,” I say as I walk out.
    The day ends and I head home. A few minutes later , Matty shows up. “Hey, what are you doing here?” I ask him.
    Matty looks uncomfortable. “Um, Jase was hoping I could pick up Jenny and bring her over to him for a bit.”
    “Oh, um, yeah, ok ay.” I yell out for Jenny and tell her to get ready to go her to Daddy’s. I then lead Matty to the kitchen and grab him a glass of tea. We both sit down at the table.  He’s not talking and I am starting to get uncomfortable. I can tell that Jase told him what happened, and he’s upset with me. “Just lay it on me.”
    He looks at me, and I can see pain in his eyes. “Please tell me that you weren’t going to run away this time.”
    “No!” I say through clenched teeth. 
    “Then, why didn’t you tell him?”
    I’m saved from answering Matty’s question by Jenny coming into the room. She‘s excited to see her Daddy. She has Matty out the door before I even get a chance to say goodbye.
    “Make sure to remind your daddy about your birthday party this weekend,” I holler out the door. I watch them until the truck is out of sight, then I head to the living room and lay on the couch. I start to think about all the things that I should have said to Jase, but I am so tired that within minutes, I am out.  

Chapter 14
     
    Jase
    ‘I’m here!” Jenny shouts as she runs through the door. She comes right to me and throws herself in my arms. I hold her close and instantly feel better. Having her here is just what I need. Matty comes in the door a minute later. He’s carrying a pizza in one hand and some Disney DVDs in the other. 
    “You r daughter made me stop off to get pizza and hit the Red Box,” he says as he places the pizza box on the table. “I didn’t mind stopping to get this stuff, but I am not going to watch Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure , so I’m out of here.”
    I laugh and nod my head. I understand completely. I wouldn’t watch this shit either if it wasn’t for Jenny , but I’ll do anything to make her happy. If she wants to watch crappy movies, we will watch crappy movies. 
    After Matty leaves, I grab us a couple of sodas and paper plates. Then, Sweet