But Why Daddy?

Chapter 17

By: Lizzie

©Lizzie 2002-2004

            “I’ll pretend that wasn’t a rhetorical question,” Robert said, “And say that you better hope that she has some moment of clarity and decides to put the baby first and not her selfish needs.”

            “So you’re saying that she was selfish in coming back and signing the baby over to me?”

            “In a way, yes.” Robert said leaning back in his chair, “She didn’t bother to think about what Randy would say in all this, or what she would tell him should he ask what happened to the baby.”

            Josh slumped in his chair, “I completely forgot about that…”

            “You should start thinking about that.” Robert said, “Liz has told me you don’t want to involve the police and we both think you’re making a terrible mistake. Involve the right people and this can be taken care of sooner rather than later.”

            “Let me talk to Cathy about it and tomorrow I’ll give you my decision.”

            “You should know that Liz and I are both taking legal action on this tonight, with or with out your approval.”

            Josh nodded his head and stood up, “I understand.” He walked out of the office, to his car and drove to his house.

+*+

            Randy arrived back at the motel a couple of hours after he left. When he walked into the room, he saw Paula sitting on the bed eating a bowl of fruit. “Where did you get that?” he asked

            “I went to the front office and there was food there so I helped myself to some.”

            “I told you I was getting you something!” Randy yelled

            “Well, hell! That was two hours ago!” Paula said, “When I want food, I want it now, not when you damn well feel like it!”

            “Two hours! I was gone for two hours! You couldn’t wait a lousy one hundred and twenty minutes?!”

            “You try telling that to the baby in my stomach!” Paula said, “For someone who is so hell bent on having a family, you move like a damn sloth!”

            “Speaking of…” Randy said, “We need tot talk about that.”

            “I gathered as much when you called me last night.” Paula said, “So talk.”

            “I’m not going to beat around the bush…call Josh and tell him you’ve changed your mind and you don’t want him to have custody of the baby.”

            Paula shook her head, “Ain’t gonna happen.” she said

            “Why the hell not?! There’s a chance that baby is mine and I don’t want her with him.”

            “It’s my choice and I choose for her to go to him.”

            “You can’t do that.” Randy said, “No judge would ever go along with whatever papers you signed, especially not when they find out that you lied.”

            “But you see,” Paula said standing up, “They won’t find out. You signed the papers that Liz gave you.”

            Randy looked Paula square in the eyes, “I may have signed them, but they’re still in the glove box on the car out there.” he motioned outside with his head, “So this is going to court.”

            Paula’s eyes went wide, “Why would you do that?”

            “I told you, you aren’t going to stop me from having a family.”

            “You’d keep a baby even if it didn’t belong to you?”

            “You said it yourself, you don’t know who her father is.”

            “Well, I lied.” Paula said, “I know damn well who this baby’s father is and it isn’t you.”

            Randy wasn’t phased by what was just to him, “When did this moment of clarity happen to come about? In the two hours that I was gone?”

            “You could say that.” Paula said with a nod of her head, “But I guess, talking to Josh’s lawyer, Robert, made me see things differently.”

            In an instant, rage flashed through Randy and he slapped Paula across the face, she fell back onto the bed and the headboard bumped up against the wall, “Why the hell did you do that?!”

            Paula looked up at Randy with shock on her face, “That’s why I called him.” she said, “Liz told me about your temper, but I thought it was just the anger talking.”

            With the raising of the voices and the headboard bumping against the wall, the people in the next room became concerned and went to the front office. The day manager went to the room and knocked on the door, “Ms. McCarthy, is everything okay?”

            “You told them your name?!” Randy yelled, “You want Liz to find out that we’re here?!”

            “I could care less if Liz finds out!” Paula yelled back, “If her finding out keeps you from having this baby, then let me be the first to call her!”

Paula reached for the room phone sitting on the middle nightstand. Randy lunged for it as she was grabbing it and he pushed her away. Paula bounced back on the bed and teetered on the edge of the bed before falling to the floor with a thud. By this time, the manager had gone back to the front office and was on the phone with the police.

+*+

            Cynthia and Josh arrived at the house at the same time and greeted each other with a hug and walked into the house together. They went to the living room where Karen was sitting and talking on the phone. They waited for her to finish before they talked about the information they got.

            Karen finished her call and smiled at the two, “How did things go?” she asked

            “Okay, I guess.” Cynthia said, “I called my friend and he gave me the information I asked for. What are the chances there would be two Randy Johnsons with from California with cars checked out that are due on the same day?” she said with a laugh.

            Karen and Josh both laughed, “That is something.” Josh said, “It seems that the police could use that information.”

            “You decided to go to the police?” Karen asked

            “I have no choice.” Josh said, “Both Liz and Robert think I should and they’re going to take legal action tonight whether I like it or not.”

Go to Chapter 18