Free EXONERATION (INTERFERENCE) by Kimberly Schwartzmiller Page A

standing here. Let me know if I can be of some other form of assistance.” The manager walked off.
    “REBECCA! Explain…him!” Parker ordered, venom seeping from his skin.
    “I’m just here for my daughter! I’m not here to cause trouble.”
    “Now’s not the time, Shane,” I said.
    “Why not? You were worried about them finding out that I was back. Now they know…problem solved!” He was angry with me. I could see it, feel it. But, unlike my husband and father, he kept in total control.
    I sighed, knowing I was in for a very long night.
    “Get the hell out of here!” Parker ordered.
    “Hmm, well, you obviously can’t have me thrown out since I’m a respected member…a gold member, and um, I don’t think you can have me arrested…this time, so I’m going to say what I have to say…and then I’ll leave!”
    “What do you mean, arrested?” I asked, standing up as well.
    “Nothing! He’s lying…again!”
    “What do you want Ramsay?” my father barked.
    “My daughter! Well, I want your daughter too, but that’s her decision,” he said, looking right at me, making me blush bright red.
    “Well, you can’t have either!” Parker said.
    “I can’t force Rebecca to leave you, but you can’t keep me from my own flesh and blood.”
    “The hell I can’t! You’re a convicted felon, Ramsay. You have no rights!”
    “Funny thing about that…seems all charges were dropped! Of course, it was too late for an early release, but I guess it’s some vindication.”
    “What are you talking about? What charges?” I asked, completely confused.
    “Nothing!” Parker said, “Now, tell him to leave!”
    “Not without setting up a schedule. I want to see her! And, I want her to know who I am! These terms are non-negotiable!”
    “LIKE HELL! Get out!” my father seethed, trying to force his voice to stay calm so as not to draw any more attention to himself or his family.
    “I’m going to pick her up from school tomorrow. I’ll bring her home to you by six-fifteen. I’m assuming, now that the cat’s out of the bag…so to speak, this is okay with you?”
    I nodded, not knowing what else to do.
    “Like hell!” Parker shouter and lunged at Shane. Shane stepped back, making Parker land face-first on the table next to us.
    He quickly turned back, lunging again, but Shane was too quick for him. He grabbed Parker by the arms, holding him close. He was calm when he spoke to Parker, “Self-defense…rule number one in the slammer!” He let Parker go, but was watching him carefully.
    “I’m sorry, Rebecca. This isn’t how I wanted it to be…but I didn’t know what else to do. I want…my daughter! I’ll bring her home on time. I promise not to tell her who I am…without you. Is that okay?” he asked, looking me right in the eye.
    I nodded and he walked away. I watched as he walked down the hall toward the children’s game room to keep his promise to his daughter.
    The tears were silent, “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.” I said it to everyone, but I knew I really wasn’t sorry. I also knew I was in for a huge fight.
    “That’s it? That’s all you have to say? You kissed …him!” Parker spat.
    “He kissed me,” I said, softly.
    “Rebecca! How could you?” my mother asked.
    “He’s Shannon’s father. He has rights.”
    “He doesn’t have any rights where you’re concerned. You’re my wife!”
    My father stood up and grabbed the check off the table. “It’s time to go home. We’ll take Shannon and keep her. He won’t dare try to get her there!”              
    “NO DAD! He’s her father! He loves her! He can see her if he wants!” I stood tall.
    “You don’t have to be afraid of him, Pumpkin. I’ll take care of him again.”
    I looked at my father, “What did you say?”
    “I said I’d take care of him.”
    “No Dad, you said you’d take care of him again!  What does that mean?”
    “Nothing. It doesn’t mean anything. I just meant he won’t be