Learning to Live Again
Chapter 7
Mike was there right at nine am as promised. Libby could tell that he was less than thrilled by her being with them, but Bobby was thrilled and chattered the entire hour-long drive. Mike interacted with Bobby and was not outwardly rude, but his body language told Libby how tense he was.
The first stop was a children's clothing store. Libby noticed that Mike bought most everything a size up. Bobby was not a fan of trying clothes on and Mike was very patient with him. It made her wonder how he had been with his own kids.
Next, they went to a toy store and got Bobby a few items. Libby helped him pick out some educational toys and some that Bobby just wanted. He was nervous about asking for anything and Libby could tell that Mike would be indulgent but would also be teaching Bobby responsibility. He already had chores and rules.
Mike also picked up a new comforter, curtains, rug and a few pictures for Bobby's room to make it more child-like. He allowed Bobby to pick the items out and even listened to Libby's input.
Bobby picked out a pizza place for lunch, and Libby was shocked when Mike paid for her lunch. She had anticipated paying her own way, but he was very set about it. As rude as he was, he had some good qualities and Bobby adored him.
"So, will Bobby be back in school Monday?" Libby asked.
"He has an eye doctor, dentist and regular doctor appointment Monday, but I figure I will have him back Tuesday. You'll let me know if he misses any work?" Mike responded.
"I will. I have a folder in my purse with his worksheets. Just some math and spelling." Libby answered.
"We'll work on it tomorrow. I think some of the issue is his eyes. He's squinting a lot." Mike explained. Bobby was enthralled with his pizza and not paying any attention to them.
"He does at the board too. I've tried to move him closer to the front, but he doesn't handle being surrounded by the other students too well. I also got him a magnifying sheet for his books and work pages, but he didn't like using it. Made him different then the other kids." Libby explained.
"He'll probably end up with glasses, but that's livable." Mike answered. Libby could tell the man was distracted by something, because he kept fiddling with his wedding band.
"Something on your mind? You keep fidgeting." Libby asked. Mike looked towards Bobby and leaned in closer to Libby.
"I spoke with his caseworker this morning, who had spoken with the judge yesterday. There is very little chance of me adopting him since I am single. They will be looking for family, unless I can come up with a wife." Mike said.
"You…aren't dating anyone, though?" Libby asked.
"No. Katherine said there is a great-aunt, but she is not much better than Jerry. Had her own kids taken, been in jail multiple times, the list goes on. Of course, they have to give her an option but if I can provide him a better home; I will be who he stays with. Problem being, I am not marriage material anymore." Mike answered.
"You were at one time though? Someone put that on your finger." Libby asked.
"That was twenty years ago. She is long-gone." Mike said as he looked off in the distance. Libby thought for a second and then reached over and squeezed Mike's hand.
"You feel really strongly about adopting him, don't you? You already love him?" Libby asked.
"I suppose so. I didn't think I could love again after losing my wife and kids, but I guess that's what it is." Mike said.
"I have a solution. You won't like it very well, I am afraid." Libby started.
"What's that?" Mike asked.
"You and I get married. Bobby has known me longer anyways. I could make it seem believable too. Make it seem like a normal, real marriage." Libby answered, not even believing she was saying it. Mike didn't like her, he was too old, and had a lot of baggage. She was attracted to him but didn't care for his sour personality. She had always dreamed about marrying a man she was madly in love with, and that loved her just as much. She didn't love Mike and knew he didn't love her.
"I couldn't ask that of you." Mike said.
"You aren't. I am finding a solution. I don't want Bobby in the foster care system any longer then necessary. No, it won't be ideal, and we will have to learn to tolerate one another, but it would solve the problem." Libby argued.
"How would you make it believable? Especially since this is only the fourth time, we have been even close to each other. I don't know what your prior relationships have been like, but couples typically date a year before they even talk an engagement." Mike questioned.
"Just play the part of the adoring fiancée and husband. I'll make it believable." Libby said.
"I don't like this." Mike said.
"But you do want to keep Bobby, correct? I don't like it either, but isn't he more important?" Libby questioned.
"Why are you doing this?" Mike asked.
"I don't want him to end up a victim of the system and have to fight and claw his way up his entire life." Libby said.
"Something tells me you are speaking from experience." Mike remarked.
"Joey and I aren't so different then Bobby, but that's a story for another day. I know you don't like me, but I am giving you an out to help Bobby. Once its safe and you have him firmly adopted, we can come up with a game plan for a divorce." Libby answered. She didn't particularly want to tell him about her childhood, but she did notice his face softened a bit.
"Alright. My question is, how will you convince your brother of this? He will see through it and he can't lie to Family Services." Mike asked.
"I won't be convincing Joey of anything. He'll know the truth and he'll understand. I will not lie to my brother and sister-in-law, but they will lie for us." Libby insisted.
"But…" Mike started.
"But nothing. Stop arguing. If this is what you want, then you'll agree. Isn't he worth some discomfort on both our parts?" Libby said.
"Yes, I suppose so. I guess we'd better go buy you an engagement ring." Mike said.
"You owe me a rock." Libby remarked. Mike just gave her a small smile. He began collecting Bobby and they were on the way to a jewelry store in no time.
Mike gave Libby free reign in picking out her engagement ring and she found a simple square-cut diamond with a silver band that fit her larger fingers and that she liked. They also got wedding bands at the same time.
The drive home was quiet, other than Bobby occasionally chattering. Libby needed to get home to explain things to her brother and sister-in-law, and Mike wanted to get Bobby home. Monday, Mike would make the arrangements for them to get married. Libby just had to work up the courage to explain to her brother what was happening. That would not go as easily as she led Mike to believe.
