Page 22 of Given to the Prez
“They are, for Charlotte.Nancy’s not happy.She wants Charlotte to go out and explore, and make bad decisions as well as good decisions.”
Maeve was not going to interfere.
“Charlotte told me she’s doing well in the classes.I know it has only been a couple of weeks, but she’s a fast learner.”
“I know.I just want the best for her.”
“I imagine Nancy does as well.”
“In her own way.”
“Do you regret getting a divorce?”she asked.
“Not at all.”There was not even a second’s worth of hesitation.
“Wow, that was fast.”She let out a chuckle in an attempt to hide her happiness.If he regretted getting divorced, then there was no way they were ever going to continue a relationship.It wasn’t going to happen, but he didn’t regret it, and that meant more to her than she even realized.It felt good.
“Trust me, the only good thing to come from me and Nancy is Charlotte.”He opened his mouth and then paused.“And my son Jake.”
This time, Maeve put her hand on top of Doc’s.
“That was his name?”
“Yeah, Jake.He was ...everything.A little teaser.A second chance.I don’t know.All I know is when he was in our life, he made everything better.”
Tears filled her eyes.
“I’m so sorry for your loss.”
“It was a long time ago.”
“Is that what ...you know, caused you and Nancy’s separation?”
Doc shook his head.“To be honest, no.We were able to hide a lot of our troubles.We were good at that.Nancy and I never meshed well.There was always something going on between us that was a little fucked up.We weren’t really in love.It was a case of us ending up together because we got pregnant.I didn’t love her and she didn’t love me.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be.We’re actually better as friends.It’s not always easy, like now with Charlotte.I’m happy for our daughter to find her own path.Nancy wants to tell her what path to take.”
“At least she’s a good kid, so you know whatever path she takes is going to be the right one for her.”
“I think to be honest, Nancy wants a reason to get out of Rivermont Ridge.She wants to start a new life, far away from me, and from all of this.But I think she’s going to try and use Charlotte as a reason.You know, to follow our daughter and make sure she’s okay.”
“If you’re worried about that, why not talk to her?”Maeve asked.“What I learned with Eden is that talking helped a lot.”
“We don’t exactly have a good track record with that.”
“It’s going to be okay,” she said, stroking the back of his hand.“You’ve got to have a little faith that it’s going to work out.”
“What are you doing tonight?”he asked.
Maeve laughed.“I’m not doing anything tonight.I’m not sure what Eden is doing.I think we’re going to hang out, catch up.She can give me all her honeymoon details.”
“Well, if that doesn’t pan out, you can always give me a call, and I can come and pick you up, or you can swing by the clubhouse.”
“Is this a date?”She felt her cheeks start to heat.“Because you know I can’t do anything, I mean, I could to you.”
“I know, and it’s because I happen to enjoy spending time with you, Maeve.”
