Free Left by Shyla Colt Page B

need me for anything else?”
    “I’m good. If you have any special requests or directions for Ryan, you might want to catch him before he leaves. He’s packing up at the moment.”
    “And Liv?”
    “What about her?”
    “You  want me to answer that? Cause the shop ain’t soundproof.”
    I laugh. “Yeah bro, I finally got her.”
    “I’m happy for both of you. You always had this vibe going between the two of you I couldn’t put my finger on. I need to get home and relieve the babysitter.”
    “Rita doesn’t have him this weekend?” I ask.
    “No, she went out of town with her girls, so I did double duty.”
    He and his ex-girlfriend have a good thing going with visitations. They ended on an upbeat mutual note. It made things easier for Rolland. Pushing three-years-old he’s one of the more adjusted kids I’ve met from separated parents.
    “Give the little man some love for me.”
    “Will do.”
    When I step inside the office, I’m shocked to see Shannon seated at my desk. 
    “Are you guys finally done?” she asks. Her words are short and clipped. Guess she heard me and Liv. I can’t keep the shit eating grin from forming. The girls been pushing up on me and Ollie for the past year. Maybe now she’ll stop.
    “Yeah, we’re keeping the black dress. Send me the bill for it.”
    “Just like that?” Shannon snaps her fingers.
    “Yeah. If you have a problem with it, we’d be happy to find a new stylist.”
    “No.” Her face scrunches. “Please, don’t do that.”
    “We enjoy working with you, Shannon. You do great work. I think it’s been a long day for everyone.”  I try to let her down easy. She’s barley out of her mid-twenties and has a lot more to learn about life. I remember crushing hardcore on older women who would never give me the time of day, so I want to let her down easy.
    “I like working with you too. If you don’t need anything else, I’ll get the rest of this out of your way and let you have your office back.” She pushes away from the desk, grabs her massive black purse and a hat box. She wraps her hand around the clothing rack and wheels it out of the office taking her drama with her. Times like this I’m glad as fuck I’m in my forties. I was stupid as hell when I was in my early twenties.
    I spot the pile of mail on my desk and start to sift through the pile. The light bill should be coming soon. I pitch the junk mail and pause when I get to a letter with elegant writing. I frown. I know it from somewhere. There’s no name, just a P.O. box address. I open the envelope and the scent of patchouli hits me. My stomach rolls as my memory kicks in. This is Rain’s writing. The moment I’ve been dreading has arrived.  I want to throw it in the trash, but the not knowing would fuck me up worse. I pull out the tri-folded piece of lined paper and stare. Why now after all this time? What if she wants the kids back? It’s no secret, the courts favor mothers.
    My stomach knots. I take a deep breath and open the sheet of loose-leaf.
    I know it’s been a while and the way I left things was less than ideal. I had some time to get my mind, body, and spirit right. I’d like to see the children. I’m sure they’ve missed me as much as I did them. I might not have been there in person, but I assure you I was there in spirit. When I woke up that day, I just knew I couldn’t go through with it. Not even to make you happy.
    Tony was there for me while I tried to make myself fit into your mold. We spent a lot of time together, and one thing led to another. He gets me. He didn’t judge, and we fit so much better than you and I did. You and Liv deserved better than what we gave you and for that I’m sorry. He has his own amends to make with her.
    We want to settle things so we can all co-exist peacefully. Tony and I are married and expecting our own bundle of joy. We’d like him or her to know their siblings. I’ve left my phone number and address behind for you. We’re a few