Chapter 21

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Nick watched Kayleigh and his son from the kitchen door way. He loved the way that she and Gavin interacted together. It made him feel better about dating her. He watched as she sat on the floor and allowed the small child to attack her with play dough.

He sighed and walked away from the door. Things were going perfect. For once his life was on track and he felt hope that maybe things would really be all right. She was his hope. The cry of the telephone broke his concentration. He reached for it and leaned against the wall as he answered it.

"Hello," he said as he twisted the phone cord in knots.

"This is the Monroe County police department, we have a Mrs. Jane Carter here, who claims to be your mother. "

Nick's face filled with anger. Before he realized what he was doing, he sneered at he cop.

"She's NOT my mother!" He yelled loudly.

"I'm sorry sir. I understand there is some kind of hostility between the two of you, but she was arrested less than an hour ago. She's being released on bail, but her husband refuses to take her home. Her daughter and her need a way home. I would greatly appreciate it if you would come and pick them up. " The man said shortly.

Nick knew he would have to do it whether or not he really wanted to. The cop wasn't going to let him off the hook this time. He didn't want to be in the same vehicle with his mother. At the same time he felt sorry for his younger sibling that was stuck at the police station. Wait a minute what were they arrested for anyway? He wondered.

"How did she get arrested anyway?" Nick asked rolling his eyes.

"She broke into your father's residence and dragged his girlfriend out of bed by her hair. She then physically beat her until she was unconscious. She was arrested on accounts of assault and battery. The girlfriend has decided not to press charges, so your mother is free to go." The man answered.

"I'll be down to get them in a little bit." Nick said in no hurry.

He ended the phone call and dropped his head in his hands. His baby sister was in a police station, because his mother was a psycho. He really despised her at that moment. He got up off the floor and walked into the kitchen. His son was sitting on top of Kayleigh's stomach smashing the play dough onto her nose. They were both laughing and he loved to see his son so happy.

"Come here baby boy," Nick said crouching down to the floor.

Gavin slid off of Kayleigh and ran into his father's arms. He wrapped his small arms around Nick's neck and held on tightly. Nick hugged the small child tightly in his arms and buried his head on Gavin's small shoulder. Kayleigh watched the exchange of affection with mixed emotions. She wished her father cared about her as much as Nick obviously cared about Gavin.

"I wob you lots daddy," Gavin said breathing softly.

"I love you too baby boy."

Nick stood up, still cradling the child in his arms. He needed that feeling of closeness right now. His mother would finally be seeing his son. It made his extreamly uncomfortable, and he vowed not to let her near him. He needed Kayleigh to go with him, to keep him sane. He figured he was scaring her by not telling her what was going on.

"That was the police," he said softly. "They arrested my mother."