Part 24
Kevin’s temper was on simmer and it wasn’t going to take much to cause it to boil. As the car made the hour trip back to the house, he played the whole scene with Chelsea’s brothers out like a movie, pausing it to consider key scenes. He couldn’t get past Chelsea’s reaction to her brothers’ accusations or her lack of denial. He’d defended her but had he been wrong?
Reaching the house, Annie, who had curled up in Howie’s lap, yawned and asked, “Daddy, will you read me a bed time story?”
“Not tonight, baby. Howie’s going to tuck you in.”
“Why, Daddy?”
All eyes fell on Kevin to hear his explanation.
“I have something I need to do.”
From the front, Marcus said, “The only thing you have to do is take care of your daughter.”
Marcus’ tone left no room for misunderstanding. He was not going to let Kevin take this any further but Kevin said, “I deserve answers.”
“Then wait until tomorrow after Chelsea has had some rest,” suggested Howie.
Chelsea was nestled against AJ, her head on his shoulder, and she was asleep.
“Even if she DID do what her brothers said, it’s in the past and she was only trying to support herself and Annie,” said Brian. “Just let it rest, Kev.”
AJ calmly said, “Like Brian said, it’s in the past and you DO NOT deserve answers. She made her own choices and it’s not our place to judge her for what she did.”
“She could have found a better way to support herself. This is EXACTLY what her father….” Kevin’s anger had reached boiling. “All she had to do was CALL ME! I would have helped her.”
“But she DIDN’T call you so let it rest,” reiterated AJ. “I’m NOT going to let you upset her by bringing all this up again.”
Kevin looked at AJ as he held Chelsea and knew he was serious. Deciding not to get into it now, he shrugged his shoulders and took Annie from Howie. “Come on, I’ll tuck you in and read you a story.”
