Addicted

All Good Things Must Come to An End

I sighed in annoyance while grabbing my keys from the bar in the kitchen. I slung my purse over my shoulder and yelled up the stairs

"NOW Bailey!!! Lets go! You don't want to be late"

I hated Tuesday nights. I hated doing this to Bailey every week. She lumbered down the stairs dragging her rolling suitcase behind her. She reached the bottom step and looked up at me sadly. I knew she didn't want to go and I hated having to force her. She went from being a daddy's girl to just angry and bitter at Jon about everything. It was his own fault in a way. He promised we'd be a family and be together forever. Then he came home, packed his bags, knelt in front of her and said

"I'm sorry Bailey"

And walked away. He never looked back. He never tried to comfort her or give her an explanation...he just left. He left her with Colby and I to pick up the pieces so he could go romp around with his now wife. Then he dragged me to court and wormed his way into visitation from Tuesday evening to Friday morning. Poor Bailey hates going to his house with April there. The woman she saw as an aunt is now her second mom and it bothers her. It wasn't that way when it came to Colby. Bailey adored Colby and he loved her right back. She never did see him like she did April so the transition wasn't as hard.

Colby walked through the door just as I was about to call him. I needed to get Bailey to Jon, but I couldn't leave Allie home alone and I didn't like to take her to the drop offs. He walked over and hugged me tight before picking up Bailey and hugging her. It was the first time I'd seen her crack a smile all day

"I missed you Ang."

I half smiled and pecked his lips "I missed you too Colby. I'm so sorry to rush out of the door and leave you with Allie, but I need to get Bailey to Jon before I wind up in court again for being late"

He hugged me again and smiled "I understand Angie. Go take care of business."

He ruffled Bailey's hair as he walked by "See ya later Squirt."

She giggled and went out to the garage and climbed in the car. I was in such a hurry to get to the drop off location. We agreed no Colby and no April. No Colby so it wouldn't get Jon's panties in a knot and no April because it bothered Bailey so much. The last time I was late Jon dragged me to court over it. It had become so stupid and petty and I know April had a lot to do with it. It wasn't like Jon had ever cared before about being late. We'd been divorced for two years now, both remarried 6 months later, and now after all of this time suddenly I'm being dragged to family court for every little thing.

"Mommy?"

I looked in the rear view mirror "Yeah?"

"Do I hafta stay?"

"Yes, Bailey you do." I said with a sigh "You have to spend time with your dad...and your...step mom..."

I swallowed hard saying that. It still hurt and bothered me after all this time that he had been cheating on me for years with her.

"Plus you can play with Elijah."

"NO. I don't like him! He screams and throws things. I like Allie better. And I don't like April. I already have a mommy."

"I know Bay calm down. I can't keep you from your dad sweetie"

"Colby's my dad"

It was the same heart breaking argument every time we get in the car. It hurt to hear her say that because she would never have thought that way if Jon hadn't walked away from her.

"Sweetheart we've been over this. Colby is your step dad. Your dad is your dad and you can't change that. Deep down you love him. I know you're hurt and angry with him, but you have to give him a chance Bailey."