Turmoil | Spruceworth 5.1 (#Wattys2018)

Chapter 38

Chapter 38

Holden

       Shaw was in a horrible mood. Probably more horrible than he had ever been for the past few weeks. He thought Kendra was going to allow the kids to stay with us this weekend since she said she would think about it.

       She did think about it.

       And she said no.

       I didn't get it. Shaw had been sober for over two weeks now. He wasn't going to just randomly drink if the kids were over. He was doing so well but apparently, it didn't matter.

       "Do you want to go out somewhere?" I asked Shaw who was moping on the couch.

       "Nope."

       "Want to do something here then?"

       "Nope. I'm fine just sitting here."

       I sighed. "Shaw, I know the kids mean everything to you but you can't let that keep you in a horrible mood."

       Shaw looked over at me with an expression of disbelief. "Are you serious? They're my kids and Kendra won't even let me see them. I haven't done anything that put the kids in harms way. I know I'm not the best dad, but I'm definitely not a bad one and I'm still not allowed to see my kids."

       Shaw then got up from the couch and went to our washroom, slamming the door shut behind him. I leaned back into the chair I was sitting in, feeling a bit defeated. I watned to make Shaw feel better but I had a feeling he wouldn't get out of this funk until he saw he kids again.

       Because Shaw clearly wanted to be left alone, I got up from the chair and headed to the door. I put on my shoes and grabbed my keys before leaving the house and heading to the cafe since the only friend I had was there.

       And apparently, Jane wasn't the only person there. In the corner of the cafe was Kendra sitting with that man she was with at the nightclub when Calvin and I went there to pick up a few drinks. And the kids were nowhere to be seen.

       Shaw wanted to see the kids and she said no. Yet she found someone to watch them while she went out.

       Where was the logic?

       I huffed and went to the counter where Jane was working. "Can I get a medium lemonade?" I asked, knowing that I had a bunch of irritation in my voice.

       "Is that all?" Jane asked and I nodded. After she told me the price, I handed the money to her and she got me my drink. Since nobody else was in the line up, she asked, "Are you okay? You look a bit angry."

       "I am angry," I said. "Shaw asked Kendra if he could see the kids this weekend. She said she'll think about it so that gave him a bit of hope. But then she said no."

       "Why?" Jane asked. "He's their dad. He has every right to see them."

       "Yeah, I know," I said. "But that's not fully why I'm mad. The main reason why I'm mad is because there she is in that corner booth with some guy." I gestured to where Kendra was sitting. "No kids in sight. She got someone to watch them when Shaw was more than willing to."

       "I'm sorry but if I had a kid and I wasn't able to see them, I wouldn't be letting that person push me around," Jane said. "Shaw has to put his foot down."

       "He doesn't want to risk not seeing them even more," I said. "If Kendra wants to play dirty and file for full custody, she'll be granted it because of Shaw's past."