Vows of Deception: Something old, new, borrowed, and BLUE... by K. Harris

me at him.” The ladies were interrupted by a strong baritone voice.
    “Hey daddy.”
    “Hey sweatpea.” He pulled Danni into a hug with no other words. “How is my girl?”
    “I’m okay daddy.”
    “Your mom told me what happened but I would much rather hear it from your point of view.”
    “Just know that my maiden name is back into play when this is all said and done.”
    “So you have decided to file for divorce?”
    “Yes, I have to. I can’t live like that. Sharing was never one of my strong suits.”
    “Don’t I know it? You lived to be in trouble in grade school.” That caused them all to chuckle just a little trying to break the tension.
    “Where is he now?”
    “I don’t know and I don’t care. I sat all of his stuff out on the porch earlier in the week and haven’t heard from him since.”
    “That a girl.” Her mother said with glee.
    “I won’t hunt that bastard down and rip him a new asshole because you mother made me promise not to. But I want you to be aware that by law you can’t sit his things out. That alone can come back and bite you in the butt.” Danni’s dad was a retired police officer that moonlighted as a private investigator from time to time. When money talks he could find out just about anything that was required.
    “Yes, I know. I called myself researching the law after I did it but he didn’t bother coming back so I left it alone.”
    “Well if he does and jumps wrong, please let me know.”
    “I will daddy.”
    “Do you need an attorney?”
    “Actually I contacted a friend of a friend and she has agreed to at least hear my case during a consult for free. Then her retainer is $2,500. Since we have so much to go over it is going to be quite hard. Especially if he makes it hard by contesting it.”
    “Do you need some help coming up with that money?”
    “No, I will be fine.”
    “Are you sure? How will you maintain your bills? Have you separated your accounts?” Her father fired one question after the next.
    “Well no… that hadn’t crossed my mind until now. You don’t think he…”
    “We certainly do!” Her mother exclaimed.
    “If a person cheats, they already lie so stealing isn’t so far-fetched.” Her father stated.
    “As for my bills, I will just have to figure it out. It’s a part of being an adult, right?”
    “If you need anything, all you have to do is ask.”
    “Thank you guys for everything.”
    “You’re most welcome sweetie and I know that everything is going to work out.” Her mother hugged her from the side. “Have you spoken to Natalie?”
    “No I hadn’t spoken to her in a couple of weeks. I tried to call her the night I confronted…him and she didn’t answer. I needed to get out of that house because I was about to commit a crime.”
    “I would have gotten you off with a ‘crime of passion plea,’ I’m just saying.”
    “You could have come here.”
    “Mom I didn’t want to burden you all with my marital issues. Actually once I didn’t get an answer from her, I regretted calling her anyway. This is my problem to deal with I shouldn’t drag others in it.”
    “We are family. If you have a problem then so do we. Don’t ever think that you are burden on us. That’s one of the reasons the good Lord put us on earth. We are parents first.”
    “Thank you guys. I’m going to head home.”
    “So soon?”
    “Yes, I just want to relax.”
    “When is your appointment with the lawyer?”
    “Monday morning.”
    “Do you need us to go with you?”
    “No mom, I got this but I will call you afterwards. How does that sound?”
    “That sounds good.”
    “See you guys later. Love you.”
    “Love you too.” They hugged one final time before Danni left to return to the huge, hallow shell she had to call home.
    *****
    Lamont was livid that Danielle had to balls to come and confront him the way she did at his office. What if the CEO’s or any higher executive was around to witness her outbursts? He questioned her sanity