Going Solo: Davis Gen 3.17

Over the next few weeks things were tense. Cora wasn't speaking to me, and we used Mom's house as a drop off point when I wanted to see the girls. We had both hired attorneys and she delayed her starting time in Barnacle Bay. I tried to make the most of my time when the girls stayed over. Hope complained that she wanted a better room instead of being tucked away in my gym so I found myself giving up my bed once again.

We did all the fun things, like having pillow fights, playing rock, paper, scissors, and just generally goofing off. They liked being with me. I could already tell Hope would be a social butterfly. I'd gotten them phones since it would be easier to call them directly instead of going through Cora.
Hope informed me that Cora was not happy I didn't talk to her first, but how exactly was I supposed to do that when she wasn't talking to me? But I digress, back to Hope. It was a good thing money wasn't tight because I feared getting a large phone bill with the way that thing always seemed to be attached to her head.

Grace on the other hand rarely used hers. Instead she kept her head buried in books and avoiding direct conversations with strangers. She'd come alive and be talkative with her sister and with the rest of the family, but large groups was not her thing. When not with them, I threw myself into work. The pressure of negotiating contracts seemed to be less stressful than dealing with Cora and all that mess.

After work, if they weren't with me, I'd have a drink and chill in the hot tub. My attorney told me I needed to cut out my going out for a little while. It would help me seem more 'stable' and 'responsible', like cutting loose and partying was such a bad thing. I sucked it up and dealt with it. I was getting ready to relax when my doorbell rang. It was Cora, and to say I was shocked to see her was an understatement. We hadn't talked in nearly a month and a half.

Cora: Can we talk?

Davis: Two months later, now you want to talk? And where are my girls?

Cora: Your mom has them...and yes I thought we needed to talk.

Davis: So everything has to be on your terms.

I hadn't realized how angry I was with her until I saw her standing at my door. I'd always thought of myself as a pretty easy going guy, but Cora just brought out a different side of me that I didn't understand.

Cora: I didn't come here to fight with you.

Davis: Then why are you here? Normal communication has been done through third parties, so what do you want?

Cora: Can I come in or are we going to talk on the porch?
I briefly thought about making her stand outside, before stepping aside to let her in.

Cora: Davis, please stop fighting me on this. I have to start at Barnacle Bay Memorial by next week or they are rescinding the offer.

Davis: So, you don't speak to me for months and when you show back up it's to ask me not to fight for my kids. I think you should go and direct all further communication through my lawyer.

I turned to head outside, she could let herself out.

Cora: Davis, wait. I'm sorry.

Davis: You're sorry? For what trying to punish me over your guilt?!

 Cora: What? No....that's not...

Davis: Just admit it. Your whole attitude towards me changed after that night. I didn't force you into anything, but I'm being punished.

The shock of the truth being spoken was written all over her face.

Cora: He wants to marry me. He'll be a good father to them.

Davis: They have a father! I may not have wanted a family, but that doesn't mean I love them any less. But I guess in your great scheme of things you didn't count on that. What did you imagine that I'd keep them for a few years, remain unattached to them and just continue on with my life like nothing changed?

Cora: YES! Ok, yes that's exactly what I thought. I didn't expect your whole family to accept them, or me like they did. I didn't expect you to be a good father to them and I didn't expect to still have...

Davis: Still have what? Guilt over that night?

Cora just dropped her head, refusing to answer the question.

Davis: You cheating on him was not my fault. You never said you were dating anyone, not once in all the times you came to visit, yet you want to put your guilt on me. You cheated, not me!

I heard her sniffle then wipe away a tear that rolled down her cheek. We'd argued, she'd pissed me off, I'd pissed her off, but I'd never made her cry. The last woman that cried because of something I did was my Mom when I was a teen. I didn't like it then and I didn't like it now.

Cora: That night shouldn't have happened, but it did. I can't change it, but I do have to go after the chance I have to right now to have the life I want. And as much as you don't want to hear it, Tristan can give me that. He's willing to give me that. Staying here...well I don't know if I can have what I want.

There was some sort of sadness in her voice when she said that. I felt like I was missing something, but I wasn't sure what. I thought about the talks I'd had with both Mom and Dad over this issue, they both supported whatever decision I made although I felt like Mom was expecting something else from me. I swear at times women talked in riddles just to have reasons to be mad at us men. It wasn't like my relationship with Cora could get any worse, but I didn't want her hostility towards me to start bleeding over to the girls.

Davis: I'll do this on two conditions.

Cora: What conditions?

Davis: I get visitation as often as I want. No complaints! And they need to take my name.

Cora: What?

Davis: You heard me, I don't want Tracy getting any big ideas when it comes to that. They are mine and they will be known as such. It's not up for negotiation. Those are my terms, take them or leave them.

Cora: Fine.

Since school didn't start for another two months, Cora left the girls with me. We filed paperwork at the courthouse before she left to change their last name from Sidwell to Gruber.