As the autumn season takes hold over the valley, everyone in town is proud to throw a celebration for Kaitlin making the top three after the finals in Denver. Her barrel racing career is shining bright as she looks forward to nationals in Nashville a few days before the new year begins.
One thing time hasn't been kind to is how often her ex-husband harasses Elizabeth. Michael is continuously losing money hand over fist with the tech sector crippled by the hedge funds floundering on wall street and day trading tumbling further.
Each argument grows harsher each time he and Elizabeth battle over the phone.
"For the last damn time, Michael! I cannot help you out. I have children to raise and a business to run. I have rent to pay and college funds to save for my kids. Believe it or not, Mike has three B's and an A in his classes. I'm here for them, not for you!"
"Elizabeth, you have no clue how bad it is here. If things don't improve, I'm going to have to file for bankruptcy and lose the house." Michael lies through his teeth. He's forced to move in with a friend and live on their couch.
"Live in your damn car! It means more to you than I ever did. Stop calling me, or I'm slapping you with a harassment charge!" Elizabeth yells inside the SUV, waiting to get into the office.
The line goes dead, and she's able to go inside to get the day started as she has a packed waiting room for flu shots and more. Back in the office, her frustration shines slightly more than usual when Dr. Fisher enters and takes a seat.
"I take it that things with him aren't dying down as you had hoped?" He asks, slipping his glasses down to the tip of his nose.
"He's desperate at this point, but he has nobody to blame but himself. All these backdoor deals and whatnot, you know. Karma is a bitch, and he's stolen from people, blackmailed God only knows how many others, and held secrets over even more heads than a typical politician could dream up. He even told me weeks ago that he had to pull his bid for mayor when his finances magically went public from his opponent. He's about to drown in debt and no to sound cynical, but I'm glad I'm no longer there."
Dr. Fisher shakes his head and sits there going over paperwork on the desk. He doesn't lift his head for a while as he signs document after document leaving Elizabeth to handle the rest of their appointments for the day.
On the way home, Elizabeth is bombarded with texts. Beyond aggravated, she takes her phone, shutting it off until she gets home. In a mood to rip someone's head off, she slams her shifter into Park and heads inside, where she instinctively picks up a bottle of wine and pours a glass clear to the brim.
That's when it dawns on her.
"Stop! Drinking is exactly what caused all this drama in the first place. I'm going to handle this once and for all." She tells herself, then pours the wine back into the bottle.
Back in the family room, she takes her phone out of her purse and waits as it boots up. Once all the notifications finish loading, she clicks on her ex's name and waits for him to pick up the phone.
"About fucking time!" He yells into the phone.
"Don't start with me! Remember this, you self-centered jackass. You need my money to survive. Word of advice, don't piss me off; otherwise, I'll slap you with a harassment charge and find a way to finish your sorry ass off."
Michael Sr. is left speechless. He's never been talked to like this by Elizabeth and remains silent as she continues to lay down the law.
"I'll send you enough to get you an apartment, and that should give you the chance to start over. I'm not making the house payment. That place has been a curse ever since we bought it. You want my help, then that's the only way." She offers calmly.
YOU ARE READING
Cherry Skies
عاطفيةLife isn't always easy, especially for Elizabeth Reed. Elizabeth recalls refusing to marry the man she thought was her dream. Her father cast her out and pushed her away. Growing up believing that it would always be fun in the California sun is what...
