But Why Daddy?

Chapter 29

By: Lizzie

©Lizzie 2002-2004

            “What gives you the idea Jean knows where’s she at?” Lance asked following them.

            “She called me not too long ago.” Liz said sitting down on the sofa, “Paula called her and wanted to see her.”

            Josh looked up with Liz and Lance joined them in the living room, “Paula wanted to see whom?”

            “Her mother.” Lance said

            “How did you know?” Josh asked, “Did she have Kayla with her?”

            “Jean called me.” Liz said, “She said Paula sounded off when they talked. I don’t know if Jean knows what Paula’s done.”

            “Why didn’t you say anything to her?” Karen asked

            “And let Jean help her leave?” Liz shook her head, “Nope, I wasn’t going to do that. Plus, Jean wouldn’t even tell me where they were going to meet.”

            “The why did you want Randy’s number?” Josh asked

            “He and Paula may not be together, but I know for a fact they talk at least once a week.” Liz said, “That came directly from my Aunt Nona.”

            “And you think that Paula told Randy where she was going?” Karen asked

            “I don’t think, I know.” She looked at Lance, “Phone book?” Lance handed it to her, she turned to the page that had her Aunt’s number and she dialed it on her cell phone. It rang a couple of times before it was answered.

            “Aunt Nona?” Liz asked, “Is Randy there? No…Okay.” She sighed, “No everything is fine. I was just supposed to meet him for lunch and I forgot where he said. Jean’s house? Oh yeah, that’s right. Oh no no I don’t need the address. Yes, we’re doing fine. She starts going to day care next month.” Liz smiled and rolled her eyes, “Nona, I have to go, I don’t want to be late in missing Randy. I promise I’ll cal you later.” Liz ended the call and looked at Josh, “That’s how you get information in my family.”

            Lance looked at Liz, “How in the world did you pull that off?”

Liz smiled and kissed her husband’s cheek, “Aunt Nona has loose lips.” She said, “That’s why I never tell her anything worth her talking about.”

“So Randy’s going to Paula’s mom’s house, what’s the big deal?” Cynthia asked

“Heather said Paula was talking on her cell and the house to someone who was worried about their living quarters not being large enough, right? Well, if Paula were just going by herself, why would she need a large room?” While Liz was explaining how things fit together, there was a knock at the door. Lance got up and went to answer it.

“I need to see Josh. Is he here.” The person asked. Lance pointed in the direction of the living room, “It’s okay, I don’t want to go in, just tell him he needs to get to my house as soon as he can.” The person turned and walked away.

Lance closed the door and went back to the living room, “Josh…” he said. Josh looked up, “Jean was just at the door. She said you need to get to her house as soon as you can.”

“I’m getting so sick of this chicken run around.” Liz said

“I am too, but if it get me Kayla back, then I’m going.” He said standing up and grabbing his keys off the side table and walking out of the room.

“Don’t think I’m not staying.” Cynthia said following him.

Within minutes, the group was on their way from Josh’s house to Jean’s house to see if Paula was still there. On the way there, Liz called Randy to see if she could get anything out of him.

“Look, cousin or not, I don’t want anything to do with you.” Randy said

“Whatever happened between us in the past is over and done.” Liz said, “I’m trying to help a friend get his daughter back. Are you going to help me or not?”

“I think you know the answer to that.”

“Well, then I guess I’ll see you at Jean’s.” Liz said before she ended the call on her cell.

“What now?” Karen asked

“In about five minutes, my cell is going to ring again.” Liz said, “But this time, it’s going to be someone I least expect.”

+*+

            Paula was distraught over the incessant crying that Kayla was doing. She got to a point where she left the baby crying in the carrier so that she could go upstairs to get away from the noise.

            While she was upstairs, Paula’s father, John and Randy walked into the house though the back door. They heard the crying but didn’t know where it was coming from.

            “Did Michael bring the kids over?” Randy asked, referring to Paula’s older brother who had twin sons.

            “Not that I know of.” John said, “As far as I know, only Jean was home.”

            They walked into the living room and saw the baby carrier sitting on the sofa. Randy walked to the front of the sofa and looked into the carrier, “Oh, God, she didn’t…”

            “Didn’t what?” John asked joining Randy, “Is that Kayla?” he asked taking the baby out and gently rocking her.

            “Oh god, this isn’t good.” Randy said. He looked around the room and saw a jacket lying across the chair, “Paula where are you?!”

            There was no answer but footsteps could be heard upstairs, “Maybe Jean is here?”

            “How and why would Jean have Kayla?” Randy asked

            “She sees her every couple of days.” John said, “Maybe Josh agreed to let Jean keep her for the day?”

            Whoever was upstairs finally walked down the stairs and into the living room. John and Randy just stared at Paula. Neither of them said anything until Jean walked into the house and stopped when she saw Randy, Paula and John who was holding Kayla.

            “Take one last good look at Kayla.” Jean said to John, “Josh is sure to not let us see her.”

            John looked at Jean, “What do you mean?”

            “Paula took Kayla.” Jean said, “Josh is on his way over here to get her back.”

            John looked at Paula, “Why would you do that?”

            “I wanted you and mom to have her.” Paula said

            “You know we can’t raise her when she has a father who is perfectly capable of doing that.” John said

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