Made to Order Family by Ruth Logan Herne

Author:Ruth Logan Herne
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2010-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

Office of the Supreme Court, 48 Court Street, Canton, New York.

Sucking in a breath, Rita eyed the envelope, wondering, part of her wanting to rip it open while another part urged restraint, reminding her disappointments weigh hard on recovering alcoholics.

The first part won out. While Skeeter moped alongside the car, scuffing the toe of her new sneakers into the asphalt, Rita pulled the upper edge of the envelope open, mixed feelings flooding her. Fingers fumbling, she pulled out the judge’s verdict with one hand while the other clutched the envelope. Pulling the folded papers open, her eyes scanned the contents until one sentence popped out from all the others.

“…it is the judgment of this court that the plaintiff, Rita Barnes Slocum, be given full access and custody of her share of the contested combined pension fund in the amount of no less than one hundred, seventeen thousand and twelve dollars and forty-two cents. Furthermore, the defendant, Edward R. Slocum, is instructed to pay all court costs in the amount determined by this court. Such funds as deemed necessary will be due to this court in thirty days from date of issuance.”

Rita whooped, fist-pumped her delight, then sank to the ground, heart racing, quick tears filling her eyes.

“Mommy! What’s wrong?” Concern for Rita chased the sullen look from Skeeter’s face. She ran over and crouched by her mother’s side, alarmed. “Are you okay?”

“Okay?” Rita laughed, cried and grabbed Skeeter in a huge embrace. “I’m more than okay, honey. I’m fine. Just fine.”

Skeeter clung as though she never wanted to let go. “You’re sure? You scared me when you fell down.”

Rita waved the letter. “I didn’t fall down, Skeets, I sat down real quick because I was surprised. And happy.”

Skeeter’s quick breaths began to slow down. “I like it when you’re happy.”

Of course she did, Rita realized. The kid had known nothing but conflict from the time she was able to walk. Rita nodded in understanding. “I do, too, but no one’s happy all the time, Skeeter. This, however—” she waggled the letter between her fingers again, grinning down at Skeeter’s bright blue eyes “—should hold me for a little while. It’s a letter that says Uncle Ed has to give me your father’s money.”

“Why did Uncle Ed have Daddy’s money?”

“A very good question, and one I can’t answer, but the judge said he has to give it to me by noon on Tuesday. That’s four days away.”

“Can we get ice cream to celebrate?” Skeeter’s expression turned optimistic and hopeful.

Rita tilted her head. “Is your room clean?”

A huge sigh. “No.”

“If you clean it after church tomorrow, we’ll go out for ice cream tomorrow night to celebrate, okay? But first the room gets cleaned.”

“Okay.”

Okay? Rita paused, amazed, then let it slide. Token appeasement wasn’t unusual for Skeeter, but her agreement sounded almost sincere.

Wouldn’t that make a good day just that much better?

Rita grinned, rose and tugged Skeeter along with her. “Come on, kid. We’ve got to get to Canton and start making plans for Mommy’s new bakery.

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