When She Stepped Up (ON HOLD)

14.

"Incoming FaceTime? What the hell?" I said out loud before I answered the phone. "Hey."

"I'm sorry, are you busy?" Jason asked sounding stressed out.

"No, I just pulled over to park. What's going on?"

He took a deep breath. "She wants a divorce. I don't know what I'm going to do. Only thing she wants to take with her, are her two cars that she has. She wants me to take over all the bills in the house. She's not even taking the kids. She wants to sign over all parental rights to me."

"You're kidding me."

"Not at all. I may need you full time."

"Hey don't you worry about that. I can be there when they wake up, and I can be there until they fall asleep. Whatever you need me to do."

"I don't know what I'm going to do. I can't afford everything by myself." He admitted.

"You should sell the house and get one that'll accommodate your pockets."

"I thought about that. What are you doing today?" He asked.

"Nothing just going to get my nails and toes done. I can come over after that."

"Please come over. I just need to talk to somebody, other than my homeboy at work. I'm not even ready for what he is going to say."

We both shared a laugh.

"Right, because you know Shawn will definitely have a whole ear full." I laughed. "Look, how about this. How about I go ahead and come on over? I really don't mind."

"I would feel bad."

I smacked my lips. "I'm about to hang this FaceTime call up. There's nothing to feel bad about. I'll be there in about 20 minutes."

"Okay, thank you Kayla."

"You're welcome. See you soon." I smiled.

"See you."

The FaceTime call ended. I placed my iPhone back in the cup holder.

I really hate that Jason is going through a lot. He doesn't deserve all that his wife is putting him or the girls through. They are an amazing family, and she doesn't realize what she is walking away from.

**JASON'S HOUSE**

"Hey, thank you for coming." Jason smiled as I walked in the house.

"No need in thanking me. Where are my girls?"

"Believe it or not, they are both taking a nap." He laughed.

"The heat must be getting to them."

"Must be. So you think I should sell the house?" He asked.

"I mean, if you're okay with taking on all the bills then no. However, if you feel the bills are too much, I would. Or you could rent it out. Whatever you feel helps your pockets."

"I really love this house." Jason said as he looked around. "I really do."

"I get that memories are special, but sometimes in order to move forward with life, you have to let go."

"Letting go has always been hard for me." He admitted. "She is leaving this marriage and the kids. What mother does that?"

"As hard as it was to hear those words come from her mouth, and I say this out of respect, be thankful that you are the one raising the girls. The actions from their mother, I don't know J. I don't think it'll be best for them to stay with her."

"Do you think she has someone else?" He asked.

I wanted to shout yes. But I kept it cool. "I don't know her enough to answer that. I've never met her."

"Would you consider moving in, and just being the full time nanny here?" He asked.

"I would but I want to make sure that the situation with your wife is fully handled."

"You're right. I guess I just have to play it by the day." He rubbed his head.

I stood up and walked over closer to where he was leaning over the bar. I wrapped my arms around him. "Don't worry about anything. I promise, as long as I'm here, I won't let you go through this alone. I have your back."

Jason turned toward me.

We locked eyes.

No words were exchanged.

He just wrapped his arms around me.

I laid my head on his chest and embraced the moment.

For some reason, this moment felt different. I'm not sure what I'm feeling. I just know I don't want it to end.

I really don't.

☀️