Heat crept up the back of my neck. “It’s always been my job to protect her.”
“And you’ve been excellent at it. But she has to learn to fall and get up on her own.”
“I’m realizing that.”
The squeak of Lucille’s ancient office chair came across the line. “I’m glad to hear it. You know I’m here if you need to talk anything out.”
“Thank you. I really appreciate that.”
“All right. I’ll make these changes. Come visit soon, would you?”
“I’ll plan on it and bring Anna and the kids.”
A smile sounded in Lucille’s voice as she spoke. “I can’t wait to meet them.”
“Talk soon.”
“Bye, Mase.”
I pressed down on the receiver button and took a deep breath. I needed to get it over with. Delaying would only make things harder. I dialed a number almost as familiar as my own.
“I thought you weren’t talking to me.” Juliette’s voice was a cross between haughty and hurt.
“I was wrong to say that.”
Juliette sniffed. “It really hurt, Mase.”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said it, but things need to change.”
“Why? Because you married a gold digger, and she hates me?”
I pressed my fingers to the space between my eyes. “She doesn’t hate you. She actually defended you.”
“Sure,” Juliette scoffed.
“She did. But I’m talking about how you and I operate. I want you in my life, but Anna is also a part of it now, so you’re going to have to learn to deal with that.”
Juliette was silent.
I pressed on. “I’m cancelling your credit cards. You’ll get a transfer into your checking account each month to cover tuition and living expenses. I’ve been generous, but you’ll have to budget.”
“Annadoesn’t want me to have access to your money, does she?”
“Annadoesn’t give a damn what I do with my money. She hasn’t taken a dime from me.”
“Bullshit.”
“Enough,” I barked. “We’re not going down this track. My decision is final, unless you don’t want anything from me.”
Jules was quiet for a moment. “I never thought someone would be able to turn you against me.”
“I’m not against you. I never will be. But I want you to stand on your own two feet. I want you to realize that I can care about youandher. And I’m sorry, but you don’t get to dictate who I’m in a relationship with.”
“I’m trying to protect you,” she said through gritted teeth. “But if you want to throw away half your money, maybe half your time with a kid if she gets pregnant, fine. I’ll be here to help you pick up the pieces when it’s over.”
“Or maybe you’ll be surprised and none of that will happen.”
“Time will tell, I guess.”
