But Why Daddy?

Chapter 28

By: Lizzie

©Lizzie 2002-2004

            “I changed my mind.” Paula said. She parked her car, got out and leaned against the car, casually looking around the park.

Jean stood in front of her daughter, “Paula is everything okay?”

“Everything is fine, mom.” Paula said, “Can I stay with you and dad tonight?”

“It’s just me since your father is away on business.” Jean said

“Oh, when will he be back?”

“End of the week.” Jean said, “But you’re more than welcome to stay. I could use the company.”

“Okay.” Paula sighed, “I left a couple of my suitcases at the hotel. I’ll go back and get them then I’ll be the by the house.”

“I need to get more food and the hotel is on the way to the store, so why don’t you give me your hotel key and I’ll pick them up.”

Paula smiled to herself, ‘Exactly what I wanted.’ She thought to herself, she looked at her mother, “Are you sure?”

“Go on to the house.” Jean said, “I’ll see you in an hour.”

Paula smiled, gave her mother a hug and pulled the key card out of her pocket giving it to her mother, “When you leave give it to the front desk and tell them that I’m checking out.” Jean nodded her head, took the key card from Paula and headed to her car. Paula waited until her mother was out of the parking lot before she got in her car and headed to her parents house, ‘I knew mom was gullible, but damn she made this easy.’

+*+

When Jean got to the Marriott, she pulled into a thirty minute-parking spot, parked her car, got out and went into the hotel. She asked the man at the front desk were the elevators were and when he told her she turned and went to them.

She went up to the fourth floor, walked out and to the room. She slid the key card down the card reader and waited for the green light. When the light came on, she turned the handle, opened the door, walked in and saw Paula’s bags.

Jean walked to the bags and picked them up. The first one was heavy, so she walked it to the bed, laid it flat and opened it. ‘Diapers and formula…’ Jean said to herself, “Tell me you didn’t…” she said out loud.

Jean walked to the phone, picked it up and dialed Paula’s number. When Paula answered the phone, Jean didn’t know what to stay so she said the first thing that popped into her head, “Are you trying to keep me from seeing my granddaughter?”

“Mom?” Paula asked, “What are you talking about?”

“I have a package of infant diapers in my hands…” Jean said, “That I got from your suit case.”

“You went though my things?!” Paula yelled

“The case was heavy and I wanted to see what was in it.”

“If it was so heavy, you should have asked a bell boy to help you!” Paula said, “Not go through my things.”

“That’s beside the point,” Jean said, “You didn’t answer my question. Are you trying to keep me from seeing my granddaughter?”

“You’d have to ask Josh.” Paula said

“I feel like seeing her right now.” Jean said, “I think I’ll give him a call.” Jean hung up the phone before Paula could respond. She picked up the phone again and dialed Josh’s number.

 The phone rang three times before the machine picked up, “Josh, it’s Jean. I know it’s probably short notice, but I was in the area and I wanted to see Kayla. I should be over in about thirty minutes. I’ll see you then.”

Jean hung up the phone, put the diapers back in the suitcase, closed it and popped the wheels out on the bottom. She placed it on the floor and wheeled both cases out of the room with her. She walked down the hall to the elevator, got on and went down to the lobby. Once in the lobby, Jean went to the front desk, “I’m turning this key in for Paula McCarthy.” She said, “Are there any charges to the room?”

The man typed Paula’s name into the computer, “No charges.” He said, “But I see here that she wasn’t due to check out until tomorrow. Is everything okay?”

“Everything is fine.” Jean said, “She’s decided to stay with her father and I tonight.” The man smiled and nodded his head. Jean thanked him and was on her way out of the hotel and to her car. She loaded the suitcases into the back, got in and headed to Josh house.

+*+

            When Paula heard the dial tone on her end of the line, she knew things were going to be over. ‘She’s going to go to Josh’s house, he’s going to say that I took…no kidnapped Kayla, and she’ll tell him that I’m here…’ Paula thought to herself. She looked at Kayla who was looking up at her as she sucked on the bottle of freshly made formula.

            “One day, you will thank me for doing this, right Kayla?” she asked. Kayla’s eyes welled with tears and she started to cry. “Oh sweetie.” Paula said as she put the bottle down and picked Kayla up and began to gently rock her.

Kayla continued to cry no matter how much Paula rocked or cooed to her. Paula laid Kayla on the sofa to check to see if she needed to be changed, but she was clean. Paula picked her up again and placed her over her shoulder to see if she needed to be burped. Kayla burped, but was still crying.

“I’ve seen everyone do this and she’s still crying!” Paula yelled after she put Kayla back in the carrier, “What am I doing wrong?”

+*+

            Liz arrived at Josh’s house just as Lance as walking up the driveway with Adriana in his arms. He stopped mid way to wait for Liz; “I thought you had work today…”

            “Something came up with Josh…didn’t he tell you?”

            Lance shook his head; “He just said he needed me over here and to bring the family address book.” He looked at Liz as she sighed, “Is everything okay?”

            Liz shook her head and they continued walking to the front of the house, “Paula’s run off with Kayla.”

            Lance stopped again, “She did what, now?”

            Liz got to the front door, turned the knob and walked in, “Paula took Kayla.” She said again, “And I think Jean knows where she’s at.” Lance walked into the house and closed the door behind him. He set Adriana down and she walked into the living room behind Liz.

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