Trust Me [Book 2]

Chapter 6: Terms & Conditions

Chapter 6 - [August 21st]

I rubbed circles on my daughter's sleeping back. Her breaths came out in even peaceful patterns, restoring a calming feeling to my apartment.

Gosh, I loved midday naps.

We spent the morning together at the community college, where I paid the first amount on the payment plan and then I made us a healthy lunch at home. I promised we could go to the park after her nap. No clients had an appointment with me so I did paperwork from home and let Chelsea handle the rest. I was confident she could deal with any little issue but she'd been texting me all morning every time the damn office phone rang.

The serenity of the moment could chip at the overwhelming panic coursing through my veins. For Rocky's sake, a smile never left my face as I wrote that check but my hand shook. My bank account was dangerously low. So low I was concerned about making rent. So low wasn't sure how I'd fill up my gas tank.

I reached over, grabbing my cell phone off the nightstand.

"Hello?" The deep voice answered dryly.

"Hey, Daddy is Ma there?"

"She's in her garden right now but I'll tell her you called."

"Well, how are you?"

He sighed loudly into the receiver. "How much this time? You only call for money or a babysitter." And laundry. As much as I wanted to deny his question, telling him I didn't need his money- I did.

"Never mind," I mumbled. "Let Ma know I called please."

I threw my phone on the mattress after the call ended. The relationship between my father and I never repaired. He wanted nothing to do with my child or me at all. The more my mom helped me out, the more tension was placed on her. I didn't want her to feel like she had to choose between her granddaughter and her husband.

My father felt like if I was grown enough to have a child then I should be able to take care of my child. Alone. Not remembering the fact that when my older sister Michelle had her twins, Mama practically lived with her, cooked all her meals and cleaned. Michelle didn't even work. But that's another issue that I couldn't dwell on for too long.

In a way, I could understand where my dad was coming from. I shouldn't have tried to go back to school right now. There was too much going on between work and Rocky. And, I had until the end of the day to withdraw with a full refund. Maybe next semester I would have a few extra dollars to make payments... Except the spring semester begins a month after Christmas. Rocky always got a bunch of presents from her father so she probably wouldn't notice if I bought her a small gift. Although, I would notice and feel guilty - ­

My phone buzzed, interrupting my pity party. I ignored it. Two more buzzes came through before I decided to see who was bothering me. Tapping the iMessge icon, I wasn't surprised at all once I saw the sender.

Rick: Tonight sat sun

Rick: Pick up @ 6

Rick: or 6 30

Any other day I would let his irregular visitation schedule go but not this time. It was the last straw. The thing with Rick was, he set odd inconsistent patterns that I automatically adjusted to just for the sake of keeping the peace and not having to speak to him. When Rocky was an infant he wanted every weekend. Fine. She got a little older and he wanted three-day weekends. Fine again. Toddlerhood came and he went to four days. Fine again.

But it never stayed the same. It could be a day here and there or an extended weekend. His latest trend was five-day visits and I agreed with no fuss because that's Rocky's father. He was switching it up again and didn't even have the decency enough to give me a warning.