CHAPTER EIGHTY
(part six)

Wednesday morning – 10 A.M.

Sandy sat near the front of the courtroom with Nash on one side of her and Noelle on the other. She marveled at how easy the day had started. She made love to Aden. Like most mornings, he had talked to the baby. He was so sure they were having a little girl. He always called her ‘Josie.’ While she’d made coffee, he woke the kids for an early breakfast. The kids went back to bed and Aden left for work.

It was an easy, happy, loving morning.

When Samantha Hargreaves name appeared on the caller ID, Sandy knew what was going on. She didn’t need Samantha to say the words, ‘Aden will have his hearing today.’

She just knew. Aden would go to jail and she would be alone. Alone with his kids. Pregnant and alone. Alone to deal with her father’s crap. Alone. Like metal shutters slamming down on a room in her mind, her emotions shut down.

She woke the kids and told them the news. Sullen and sad, the kids began to get dressed. Sitting in the living room, Sandy had stared off into space. She wasn’t thinking when she’d answered the knock at the door. There was a knock and she answered it. She hadn’t even looked to see who it was. She just opened the door.

Anjelika stood on the other side.

Anjelika chastised Sandy for not asking or looking to see who it was. When she saw Sandy’s blank response, Anjelika smiled.

“Now is the time you need a mother,” Anjelika had said.

Without another word, Anjelika sat Sandy down on the couch. She made her some tea with Delphie’s special honey. She’d turned on some piano jazz for Sandy to listen to. Anjelika then helped the kids get ready. She’d arranged for a car to take them to the courthouse. She’d made sure there was a bodyguard waiting to protect Sandy at the courthouse. She even coordinated with Jacob, Sam and Delphie for who would be at the courthouse.

In fact, Sandy was pretty sure she would not be sitting in this courtroom if Anjelika hadn’t arrived at her doorstep. She reached over to hold Noelle’s hand. Nash’s hand was tucked under her arm. She could feel the pulse of nervousness run through the kids. They had no idea what would happen today.

They only knew it would change their lives.

Possibly forever.

Denver Cereal continues Monday…