Valerie's POV
I was happy to see Dad but not amused by everything he shared. Steve wasn't hiding money from me. Mom said he wouldn't do that unless he were saving for a house. I went to the bank with Dad and requested a record of the transactions since Steve and I moved to LA. After I proved my identity, the bank manager smiled and printed everything in the joint account as if I would lie about being Valerie Corelli.
When I sat in the car, I reviewed the documents. Dad told me the truth. Steve transferred a few hundred dollars each pay when we moved to LA. He continued transferring the same amount until recently. I remember asking Steve about it; he claimed we were saving for a house. Living in LA was not cheap, especially when you wanted to live in a safe neighbourhood. The girls had to attend public school since we couldn't afford private.
Daddy was right. Steve was hiding money. I didn't recognize the account number to which he transferred the money, and since my name wasn't on the account, the bank manager wouldn't release that information to me. Somehow, Daddy received everything about that other account. I noticed money got moved from one account to another. The amounts were small, and there was nothing to trigger the bank of potential fraudulent activities.
I knew my marriage was over many years ago. Steve and I haven't had sex since a year after Mary Alice was born. I wanted to try for a boy, but Steve wasn't interested in having more children with me. The more I tried, the more I pushed him away. I joined the gym, thinking it was the weight I gained from having babies. His secretary used to accompany him on out of town trips, but she suddenly quit when I got pregnant with Mary Alice. Was she jealous of me getting pregnant? It wasn't the first time I suspected Steve of cheating on me. I heard the secretary gave birth to a little girl a month before I had Mary Alice. She returned to San Diego to live with her parents and raise her daughter.
Mom used to tell me I was imagining infidelity when it never existed. She said I wasn't Stephanie and knew how to pleasure my husband. How would Mom know? Was she in my bedroom while Steve and I had sex? No. Mom had no clue. She thought my marriage to Steve was perfect because that was what I told her. Every Christmas, I used the same excuse of being unable to afford the trip home. She offered to pay our way, but how was I supposed to tell Mom that Steve went on a work trip without me and the girls?
When Angie mentioned Steve spending too much time with the babysitter, I thought she was making up stories. Steve and I attended one of his work functions, a firm-sponsored fundraiser. We hired the babysitter for the night. I had too much to drink and let Steve drive her home. He returned several days later. Our babysitter, Tabitha, turned eighteen the night of the event. Steve broke his promise to the girls, which broke my heart. I wanted to go home, but Mom told me to stay and fight for my marriage. Except for my daughters, there was nothing worth fighting for.
"Peanut, are you okay?" Dad asked.
"I'm fine, Daddy. It's hard to see what Steve was doing to us. I knew he was hiding money and assumed it was for a house. What's going to happen now?" I asked.
"When is your babysitter's birthday?" Dad questioned. It seemed like an odd request.
"Two months ago today, why?" I asked. Dad shook his head while passing me the paperwork. Tabitha's birthday was a few days after the event. "Why did I think her birthday was that night?"
"It's what you wanted to believe. The hotel they used had cameras. It showed Steve and Tabitha entering the room. One of the maids knew Tabitha and kept the trash containing the used condoms. She used it as proof Tabitha and Steve had sex and reported the crime to the police. Steve is getting arrested at work today," Dad replied.
"Wow. What am I supposed to tell the girls?"
"Nothing. They're too young to be involved in your marital issues."
"What do I do now?" I cried. Dad passed me a tissue to wipe my eyes and blow my nose. I tucked it into the garbage bag I kept in the console of my van.
"You file for divorce."
"Mom will get mad," I argued.
Dad's gaze turned hard. He said, "Your mother has nothing to do with this decision. You should have left Steve when you knew he slept with his secretary. Don't tell me you never noticed her reaction upon discovering your pregnancy with Mary Alice. I heard you talking to your mother. You can live with me at the Juniak's house until I find you a suitable home."
"Are you sure, Daddy?" I asked.
"I'm positive. You deserve better than Steve Corelli," Dad replied. "Stephanie can't wait to see Angie and Mary Alice. She missed them."
I laughed, "They missed her too. Stephanie always called them every two weeks. She never missed a call. I don't understand how Stephanie did it, but the girls love her despite never seeing her face to face."
"Stephanie has a big heart. She would do anything for you and the girls."
"Did you know Stephanie has been buying the girls back-to-school clothes for the past three years?"
"I'm not surprised. Stephanie would give them the shirt off her back."
Dad and I met with a family lawyer who was not affiliated with the firm where Steve worked. He wanted me to have a fair shot of getting what Steve owed me from being married to him. Daddy was afraid Steve would do to me as Dickie did to Stephanie. My girls deserved better.
The police arrested Steve for having sex with a minor. One day, I would have to explain everything to the girls. However, I suspected Angie knew more than she let on.
It took us all week to get everything situated. Dad and I received permission from the family courts to leave California with the girls. We shipped most of the girls' toys and clothes to Trenton. It was cheaper than adding luggage to our flight. I was awarded most of the money Steve had in the bank account for alimony and child support. Dad and I transferred the money to an account Stephanie opened in my name. I would have to find a job to support the girls.
During the flight, Mary Alice had to use the washroom. She whined until I took her. Daddy promised to watch Angie. "It's scary in there," Mary Alice cried when I opened the door.
"What's wrong, little lady?" a sexy voice said. The man was tall at six foot two. His southern drawl suited the cowboy hat he wore.
"I have to pee, but the toilet scares me," she shyly told the man. "I like your hat."
"Would wearing my hat make you brave enough to use the washroom?" he asked, winking at me.
"Oh yes. It would make me happy," Mary Alice said. "Are you a stranger?"
I bit my lip. My daughter was very wary of strangers. She rarely trusted anyone we met in the mall or at the park. Something about the tall man put Mary Alice at ease. "My name is Woody," he said.
"Like the cowboy in Toy Story?" Mary Alice excitedly asked.
"Yes, ma'am," he replied, winking at me again. "Now, would you like to wear my hat to make you brave?"
"Could I really wear it? Please, Mommy, can I wear the hat?" Mary Alice begged.
"Of course, you can," I replied. Woody removed the hat and placed it on Mary Alice's head. It fell below her eyes, making her giggle. "Do you need me to help?" I offered.
"No, Mommy. I'm a big, brave girl," she replied.
I waited outside the bathroom door for Mary Alice. "Thank you for helping. I wasn't sure what to do. Where are you headed?" I asked, curious about the handsome cowboy.
"Trenton, New Jersey, ma'am. I'm starting a job there in a few days. I have to buy furniture for my apartment," he replied. Woody removed his wallet from his pocket. He showed me his driver's license. Woodrow Walker was born in Dallas, Texas, a year after me. Exactly one year after me.
"We share the same birthday but different years," I said, returning the license. I felt the electricity when my finger brushed his. It was unexpected, and I had never experienced it before. Where the hell has he been hiding?
"Are you older or younger?" Woody asked. He tucked a hair behind my ear, trailed his hand down my left arm and touched my hand. "When did you divorce your husband?"
"I'm a year older and I just filed," I said, blushing. Mary Alice sang "You've Got A Friend In Me" while using the toilet.
"Mommy, I need help washing my hands," Mary Alice hollered.
Woody removed a card from his wallet. "The age difference doesn't bother me. Here's my number. Send me a text so I can have yours," he said. I nodded and entered the bathroom to help Mary Alice.
We found Woody waiting for us outside the washroom with Dad and Angie. "I have to use the washroom," Angie announced. She smiled at Mary Alice and said, "I like the hat. We should find one to fit you better."
"Was my granddaughter bothering you, Woodrow?" Dad asked.
"No, sir. She was nervous about using the bathroom. I loaned her my hat for courage," Woody replied.
Dad laughed and patted his shoulder. "Are you working for Rangeman in Trenton?" he asked.
"Yes, sir. My former CO offered me a job today," Woody said. "I was visiting friends in LA when I got the news. I'm flying directly to Jersey. Where are you headed, sir?"
"Same place as you, son," Dad said. "I see you impressed my granddaughter."
"She's an adorable girl. Her mother, your daughter, is gorgeous. I wish I had met her years ago. Hey, what's your name, Darlin'?" Woody asked as I walked away.
"Valerie," I replied, smiling. "I'm changing my phone number when I get home."
We returned to our seats. I wondered where Woody was sitting. It wasn't in coach. He must be sitting in first class. "You got along with Woody," Dad said when he sat beside me. Angie and Mary Alice sat beside each other across the aisle. I assumed Dad took Angie's seat to talk to me.
"He's a nice man. I'm a mess, Dad. He doesn't want to get involved with someone like me," I sighed.
"Valerie, you married the wrong man. It happens to a lot of people. There is no shame in ending a marriage that doesn't work. Staying with someone for the sake of your children only damages them," Dad said. "Woodrow's a good man."
"How do you know him?" I asked.
"He was my recruit for basic training," Dad replied.
I snorted, "Mom said you quit the Army after Stephanie was born. You kept leaving on post office conventions. Stephanie kept pretending you were a soldier."
"She lied. Your sister accepted my career choice. I'm still active," Dad explained. "I can perform most of my duties in Trenton, but I occasionally have to leave for a few months. I'm leaving in September for training."
"Dad, why don't you want me to live with Mom?" I asked.
"Your youngest daughter is much like her aunt," Dad replied. He didn't need to explain further. I worked hard to treat my daughters equally. It was a promise I made to myself when Mary Alice was born. My youngest resembled Stephanie as much as Angie resembled me. Mom might use that to treat them differently. Both of my daughters are intelligent. Angie loved to learn by reading, while Mary Alice learned best by doing.
The flight to Trenton felt long. Mary Alice had to use the washroom again. She was disappointed when Woody never appeared to talk to her. I wondered if Mary Alice just wanted to talk to the handsome cowboy.
Angie giggled when Dad took Mary Alice to the washroom again. "Mom, she wants to see Woody and ask if he has a snake in his boot," Angie giggled.
"Oh dear," I laughed. "She's a funny girl."
"Next, she'll ask if he has a horse," Angie said.
"He's from a town just outside Dallas, Texas. His parents probably have horses on their ranch," I replied, making assumptions because of the hat and cowboy boots.
"Don't tell her that, Mom," Angie whined. I loved my daughters. They were unique and always true to themselves. "I bet she starts pretending to be a horse now that she has a cowboy hat."
"And we'd love her anyways," I laughed.
"Mom?" Angie asked, sounding worried. "Do you think Aunt Stephanie would like us?"
"Your Aunt Stephanie loves you and Mary Alice. She called every two weeks to catch up on your lives in LA. None of my aunts ever called me to see if I was having fun or if I needed anything for school. I think you and Mary Alice are fortunate girls," I replied. "Aunt Stephanie met you and Mary Alice when she visited us six years ago."
"I don't remember."
"You were only three." I felt ashamed that I never invited Stephanie to visit again. She heatedly argued with Steve, and he banished her from our home. I wondered if there was more to the story. Steve and Stephanie argued in Italian, and I never bothered learning the language because it upset Mom. I should ask Stephanie about it.
Dad and Mary Alice returned. "The flight lady gave me juice for you, Angie," Mary Alice announced. "I drank mine with Woody."
"Did you find him?" I asked.
"Yup. He's sitting behind those curtains because these seats are too small," Mary Alice replied, grinning. I raised a brow and glanced at Dad. He motioned that Woody had his service weapon and needed the security. "I'm tired," Mary Alice said as she sat beside Angie.
"Rest your head on my shoulder, and I'll read to you," Angie offered.
I smiled lovingly at my daughters. Angie always took care of her younger sister, which made me feel like an inadequate older sister since Stephanie and I never had that kind of relationship. Whenever we interacted, it was always a fight. She constantly called me Saint Valerie, though I never understood why. Dad chuckled and replied, "You were perfect in your mother's eyes, and she never let Stephanie forget it."
"Did I say that out loud?" I groaned.
"Yes. Your sister won't hold it against you. She hasn't talked to your mother since the disastrous dinner over a week ago. Your mother thought Stephanie should date Morelli," Dad replied.
My mouth popped open in shock. "After what he did to her? Wow. That's not the influence I want around my daughters." Quietly, I asked, "Is that why you left her?"
"It is. I can't live with someone who wants that type of person to marry their daughter. Stephanie's husband is nothing like Helen wanted," Dad laughed. He told me how Stephanie and her husband, Carlos, met. It sounded just like a fairy tale. I felt jealous that Stephanie found the love of her life after her horrendous marriage to Dickie. "What's wrong, Peanut?"
"I want that connection you described Stephanie has," I sighed.
"You'll have it with Woody. Give him a chance, and don't let your mother interfere," Dad said.
I rested my head against his shoulder and closed my eyes, praying for a better life.