The flight was normal for everyone on the plane except for two people who had found each other after years. They talked about everything from Jenna and Adam to what was new in life. Nothing seemed more perfect. After the flight landed in Co. She rented a car and he called his ex wife and said that he was in town and he was coming to get the kids. Maci looked at Carters face when he hung it and said “Okay, I understand.”
When he hung up the phone Maci asked “What’s wrong?” He replied with “ Well Aimee said that the kids were busy and I can’t see them.” Maci got irritated but wasn’t quick to judge. All she knew was they were in town and he was GOING to see his children.
After diving for what seemed like forever they arrived at the apartment that Maci had purchased a few years ago when she started coming here often. Inside was filled with everything they would need.
“Carter, Are you hungry?” Maci asks as she goes into the kitchen.
“No, not really. I just wish sometimes… Never mind” he replies.
“Just tell me why you put up with that from Aimee!” She insists.
“Because they are her kids too.”
“But, you should be able to see them!”
“I know, I know but I don’t know how to do that when she acts like this!” he finally says.
As Maci cooked dinner for the two of them she planned her week out. They chit chatted for while she cooked and he sampled dinner. A look of concern spread across Maci’s face as she knew Carter was hurting inside.
After dinner was complete and dishes were done, she asked if he would like to go drive around for a little bit. Maybe show her something she hadn’t seen before or asked if he wanted to go alone.
He said he would love to show her Colorado like he knows it. He found himself showing her where he used to live, the park him and his kids played at. Talked about how they built a cardboard castle in the basement just because they could. He also talked about how he missed them.
Maci finally suggested that he just show up and see what happens. “It’s not like she can say no if one of them answers the door and sees you”
They sat outside for quite sometime and he finally got out, closed the door and started the short walk up the path and placed his hand on the door bell. Carter turned around and gave Maci a look as if he wasn’t sure this was a good idea. When the door opened and Jenna jumped into his arms and gave him a big kiss while calling for her brother. A smile that she recognized from when she was younger spread across Carters face.
Jenna and Adam were so happy to see their dad they could barely stand it, but when Aimee came to the door, the look of frustration and anger were evident.
“Go inside children, I need to speak to your father” Aimee exclaimed.
“Awe Mom! We just want to see dad, You told us he never wanted to see us again.” Jenna yelled in a normal teenage voice.
“Get your ass in the house Jenna, NOW!” Aimee said with a look of outrage on her face.
“No, I want to see my children and get the truth, Aimee!” Carter said.
Maci just sat in the car and listened to the exchange of fury and outrage between the two. She couldn’t believe that she had just talked Carter into doing this. What would he think of her now? Great, she had ruined yet another relationship and it hadn’t even started yet. What was she thinking? When she unburied her hands from her face she saw Carter, Jenna and Adam standing at the door of the jeep trying to open the doors so they could get in. She hadn’t noticed the police until now.
“Jenna, Adam, This is Maci and she is the reason I am here seeing you.” Carter said.
Adam jumped into the jeep and I saw Jenna open the front door and holding her arms out like she wanted a hug.
Jenna said “ Maci, without you this wouldn’t have been possible, my brother and I have been living in hell since dad left. Mom drinks and is mean to us. We don’t leave the house except to get on a bus and to go to school and sometimes when we want to play outside we get locked in our rooms, sometimes for hours.”
Maci just hugged Jenna as she cried in her arms. Maci thought to herself “Maybe this was an okay choice.”
What they were in for next shocked everyone.
