Texas Rebels: Jude

He’d gotten her through high school. He’d gotten her through so much of her horrendous life. And then...

“How did your talk go with Jude?” Staci asked, frowning at the pan of dirty water from cleaning the fridge. “We can keep our cold drinks in here while we’re working and that’s probably it. The owners will probably dump it.”

“We didn’t get to talk much. He got a call from the school about his son and he left quickly.”

“Did he say anything about his son or his wife or girlfriend?”

“No, and I really don’t want to know. I just want him to go with me to talk to Mrs. Carstairs.”

Staci stopped what she was doing to look at Paige, who was throwing items from the cabinets into a big trash can. “Kiddo, do you think that’s the best decision? It’s been a long time and it might be best for you, for everyone, to let it go.”

“I can’t, Staci. I need answers to go on.” Paige leaned against the cabinet. “I’ve made so many bad decisions and I know I can’t go back and change that. But to go forward I have to feel good inside about what happened. I don’t know if that’s ever going to happen, but I know I have to have some answers.”

“Did Jude say he would go with you?”

“He didn’t say much of anything, but that’s Jude. He doesn’t talk much. He said he would come by here when he got through at school and I’m going to ask him again.”

Staci closed the refrigerator and wiped her hands on her jeans. “I don’t mean to hurt you, but how is knowing you had a son or daughter going to help you feel any better? The baby is still gone. I think it’s time you face that. That’s the only thing that’s going to give you closure. Just be grateful you gave the child a life and probably a very good one with a nice family who’s spoiling the devil out of it.”