Since I knew B was going to have to walk around the house, I began the task of picking up the shards, one by one. Though daunting, I felt the need to do everything I could to prevent from Kat freaking out, which I knew she was still going to do. One can only take so much before they reach a breaking point. This was clearly not going to go over well.
After nearly thirty minutes of picking up the larger pieces, I started looking for a vacuum. Before I turned it on I got a call from my dad.
“Hey, it’s not a good time,” I said as I answered.
“I was calling to see if the girls got there safely.”
“Not yet, but I’m glad they haven’t. Dad, her ex trashed the house. He set their bed on fire, destroyed her property. It’s a damn mess. I don’t know what to do.”
“Have you tried cleaning some of it up?”
“Yeah, but it’s not a one-man job. I’ve never seen anything like this.”
“I can’t believe she got involved with someone like that. I hate to say it, but I’m glad he’s no longer going to be around to harm her. She doesn’t need that kind of role model around Brooklyn.”
“I wouldn’t let him near her even if he was around. The only male influence my daughter needs is from her real family.”
“Listen, Katy was a mess yesterday. She made a few calls to notify Bobby’s family. I’m guessing it didn’t go very well. Apparently they didn’t know the side of him that you saw.”
“I figured.” It wasn’t to help me though. “Listen, I better get off of here. I need to at least clear a path for when B gets in the house, otherwise she’s going to have to be locked in her room.”
“Do the best you can. Once they’ve arrived pull your mother aside and get her to help with replacing whatever is damaged. She’ll know where to find everything, and how to have it delivered. You know there is a positive to this, Brooks.”
“Oh yeah? What’s that?”
“You’ll have all new things that he didn’t use. If I were you I’d buy a new bed anyway. In fact, it’s the first thing I would replace.”
We both chuckled. “Yeah, you’re funny. I don’t think Kat would be laughing though. I’m pretty sure this is only going to break her heart.”
“Brooks, try not to push. Katy is a good girl. She’s just having a rough time. I get why you’re upset, but you’ve got to put yourself in her shoes. She obviously cared about him whether you want to hear it or not. They were married, son. This is something she’s going to have to deal with for the rest of her life.”
Of course my dad was right. It wasn’t fair to blame Kat for being so irrational. For two years she’d given herself to Bobby. As much as that hurt me, I had to accept it, or else I’d never be able to handle the way people were going to look at us as a couple. “Let me know about the house next door. I think the sooner we get out of here the better.”
“I’ll call you tomorrow. Have your mother let me know they’ve arrived safely. Give Brooklyn a kiss from me.”
“I will. Thanks, Dad. Thanks for everything.”
“Just make sure you two keep coming around. It was a pleasure having everyone home again.”
When we hung up I felt a little better. I just needed to prepare for Kat’s arrival, and her upcoming nervous breakdown.
Chapter 54
I knew they’d be tired when they arrived, and Kat would be stiff from the long ride. From the moment the vehicle pulled up in the yard I started to worry. I looked behind me at the mess that I couldn’t manage to make any better. It was going to be a long night.
When I heard the car doors opening I rushed to greet them. Kat seemed pleased to see me standing there waiting to pull her into my arms. “I missed you.” We kissed first before she walked into the mayhem.
“Daddy. Me get out.” B wanted to be freed from her car seat, and I couldn’t wait to be the one to do it.
“There’s Daddy’s bug. Did you miss me?”
She took my hand immediately, making me feel like a million bucks.
I don’t know how I expected her to react when she first set eyes on the place. A part of me wished I could have hired a crew to come in and just empty the place out. It certainly would have been better than it was. “I’ve been cleaning since I got here. I didn’t want you to see it like this.”
Kat covered her mouth as she walked from room to room, noting the damage.
When she was ready to open her bedroom door I pushed myself in the way. “Kat, let’s get you settled first.”
“What is it? What did he do?” She was already in tears, brought on by the shock of it all. I couldn’t begin to imagine how betrayed she felt.