He removed folded papers from his other pocket. “You sign all parental rights to me.”
I snorted. He couldn’t be serious. “You want to buy him?”
He shrugged. “Call it as you wish. I see it more as a rescue mission from the miserable basic life he will have with you.”
“Absolutely not!”
“Oh, I see.” He smiled wider. “We’re negotiating. Would $100,000 satisfy your poor, bleeding, motherly heart?” The sarcasm was biting with this one.
How could he hate my sister this much?
“It’s a good offer. Imagine all the drugs you can buy with that.”
It’s official. I hated this man. He was Satan for sure.
“No.” I pointed at the door. “Leave now.”
“I wouldn’t advise going against me. I can hire the best lawyers there are and take him from you for no money at all.”
“No, you won’t. If you could, you would have done it already.” I was not bluffing. Eddie had said how cold and calculating his brother was. “I might have no money, but I’m not taking drugs. I’m fit for my role.”
His scowl deepened. I was right. Something was stopping him from crushing me like a bug and it was not the lack of desire to do so. This man was looking at me with nothing more than contempt.
I was suddenly grateful I hadn’t corrected him about my identity. Opal had changed her name a month before Timmy had been born in an attempt to escape the bad people in her life - something that Satan didn’t seem to know. I knew firsthand now how horrible this man could be. If he knew I was only Timmy’s aunt with as much right as him, he wouldn’t think twice about taking him from me - regardless of the papers Opal had signed before dying.
That was not something I could accept. I couldn’t have this sweet baby turned over to this heartless man in front of me.
“He has a sick heart.”
Dean took a step toward the bassinet and looked down at the sleeping infant. “He doesn’t look sick,” he stated with suspicion.
“No, and that’s because I’m taking excellent care of him. His needs come first, always.”
“How much?” he asked.
Hasn’t he heard a word I've said?
“Name your price. I’ll have your check drawn up in the next thirty minutes.”
“No.” I moved to stand between him and the cot. “No amount of money will make me abandon him to you.” I crossed my arms on my chest in defiance. “All the money in the world would not make me change my mind.”
“Would you deny this child the best school, best medical care for his heart, best…everything!” He threw his hands up in exasperation.
“No, of course I want all of that for him and more!” I shot back angrily - well, as angrily as a whisper could allow because waking Timmy up was the last thing I wanted to do. “But there are some things crucial in life, some things money can’t buy.”
“Oh yeah? Such as?” he asked tauntingly, crossing his arms on his chest and mirroring my position.
“Love, care, understanding, patience, kindness, understanding…. Things I highly doubt you can provide him.”
His nostrils flared, his jaw ticking with exasperation.
“I’m going where he goes.”
A glint appeared in his eyes as a smile spread on his lips. It was anything but nice; it was cold and calculating. “You think you’re a good mother?”
“No.” I shook my head. "I know I’m a good mother."
“Fine, let's strike a bargain then.”
I looked at him, inviting him silently to continue.
“Prove to me you’re a fit mother. Come with him to my country estate for six months, stay drug-free, and show me you are what this child needs, and I'll help you.”
“Help me how?”
“I’ll set you up in a nice place here in Philly, give you more than a generous alimony for you to raise him, and I'll pay for all the doctors, private schools, activities, and everything this child needs.”
“Okay…” I trailed off, waiting for the punchline.
“But if you fail, if you take drugs or endanger this child in any way, I’ll get full custody and you will lose your rights. Are we in agreement?”
That would be easy for me, way too easy. This felt like a trick. No, he thinks you are a drug addict. He expects you to fail. Opal had failed and I’d missed it - she’d sworn up and down she had been clean since she’d found out she was pregnant and yet Timmy had been born an addict.
“Too difficult of a choice for such a good mother?” he asked mockingly, taking my silence for hesitation.
“How can I be sure you’ll keep your words?” That was a fair question. This man was a shark and I should know better than trust him.
“We’ll draw a contract exposing all the terms - which will include a bi-weekly urine test. I'm not going to take just the word of a junky.”
“No, you wouldn't, but I understand. I wouldn't want to take the words of the heartless man you are either.”
He nodded. “I’ll be back at the end of the day with the contract ready. Pack your bags and be ready to leave by the time I’m back.”
I nodded. “We’ll be here.”
He took a step toward the door before turning back to me, his lips pursed into a thin line. “Don’t make me chase you, Ms. Collins. You won’t like the result.”
“We’ll be here. I trust my motherly abilities and Timmy does deserve the best. As long as the terms of your contract are fair, I won't object.”
He nodded sharply and left.
I let go of my bravado as soon as he closed the door behind him. I started to pace the floor, my hands shaking with adrenaline. I’d been scared to lose my boy, so scared. And it could still happen - not because of the drugs, but because of who I was.
I had voluntarily cheated that man. Had lied to his face. My intentions were commendable of course. I knew Timmy would have been miserable with him, but I felt like I was making a huge mistake.
Still in my pajamas, I gently picked up Timmy so as not to wake him and made my way up to Dee's apartment. I needed her guidance, her advice.
I needed to hear her say I was doing the right thing.
“I need to tell you something,” I said as soon as she opened the door. I was not even surprised to see her all made up already.
“Does it have anything to do with the Porsche that was parked by the entrance?”
I sighed with a nod. “How do you know about the car?”
“Raoul went for donuts. I intended to prepare you a nice breakfast. Just put Timmy down in the bassinet in my bedroom and I'll get us coffee.”
I sighed after putting him down and gently brushed my fingertips on top of his soft dark curls.
I looked at him for a few minutes, hoping once more that I was not making a mistake.
When I walked back into the living room, Dee and Raoul were already sitting side by side in front of a plate full of donuts and looking at me like expectant parents.
I explained to them the visit of the older Beaumont and his proposal.
“So, Eddie was a Beaumont?” Dee asked with a whistle once I was done.
I shrugged. “I guess so; he never said.”