Too Broken to Love

4

After spending the day trying to figure out what I was going to do, I finally decided to call my sergeant and inform him of the issues I was facing. He answered after a few rings.
"Averleigh?" He answered.
"Hey sergeant"
"Is everything okay? Its your weekend off you know."
"Yes sir, its just some things have happened at home I need to tell you about before they get any bigger?" I said, trying not to let my emotions get the better of me.
"Okay? Is everything alright?" He asked.
"Actually no. I found another woman in my bed this morning and I threw Chris out! I'm trying to get something worked out for the kids for work, but I may need to take some time off until I can figure it all out."
"That should be fine, you have a bunch of vacation time anyway, but you know if you need anything we all have your back right?"

I could feel my mouth smiling slightly when he said that. He wasn't wrong. I wasn't the first person to have relationship issues at the department, and everyone always stuck together to help in anyway they could.
"I know Sarge and thanks! By the way you don't know a good family lawyer do you? Apparently Chris wants to take me to court for custody of the kids too!"
"Sure, I'll send you some names, but I'm pretty sure that he's only saying that to get to you. Everyone knows that Chris just likes to play dad when it suits him!"
"Thanks Sergeant! I'll let you know when I get the kids situated."
"No problem, take care of yourself!" He replied before hanging up the phone.

For a brief moment I felt calm, as if all the weight of my life problems had disappeared. That's when it suddenly hit me that I had another shift at the restaurant tonight. Crap! what am I going to do with the kids? Its Friday, no one is going to be available this short notice and I have to leave in a few hours! That's when it hit me, Bailey.

I immediately called her to see if she could keep the kids while I worked tonight and tomorrow night. Of course she didn't hesitate, and offered to pick them up from school, and I could hear Zac in the background volunteer her to keep them any time I worked. While it was a nice gesture, I didn't want her to be overwhelmed with five kids all the time, even if she was a stay at home wife.

After I hung up the phone I took a quick shower and got dressed for my shift at the restaurant. When I got to work I informed my manager about the issues at home and was reassured that they would work with any schedule changes I needed to make.

I went to the hostess stand and got my table sections and began taking orders and serving drinks. A few hours later I was done with my shift and waited at the bar to cash out my tips from the evening. I made myself a drink, careful not to add too much alcohol since I had to drive, and sat at the bar until the bartender could cash out my tips. As I was sitting and sipping my drink I felt a hand on my shoulder and instinctively turned to look.

When I looked up all I could see was those big familiar blue eyes looking back at me.
"Spencer?" I asked shyly.
"That's me" he smirked, "You don't look like your doing any better than yesterday when I saw you! Does this place really suck that much" He joked as his eyes pleaded for the truth.
"Actually it's nothing to do with work, and all to do with a two timing idiot!" I sternly responded before taking a big gulp of my drink.
"Wow!" Spencer's eyes bulged at my display of drinking, "You seem to be dealing with it well?"
"I am doing my best, its just not easy juggling work responsibilities with kids, especially since baby sitters are so expensive!" I explained
"You have kids?" he asked.
"Yeah I have 3, Riley, Jacob, and Anna!" As I said their names the reality of the situation hit me like a ton of bricks and my chest got tighter as my eyes teared.
"Averleigh, I didn't mean to upset you! You don't have to explain yourself to me!" he said wiping a tear from my cheek.

I could feel my face flush as I tried to stop the tears. After a few deep breaths I had regained my composure. I asked Spencer a few questions about himself, until the bartender brought me my tip money for the evening.