“Tony’s going for full custody. He says that…Willem! Get away from there!” Willem was playing near Adam’s computer.
“Don’t worry about him,” Adam said as he picked up Willem and sat him on his lap. “Kids and pets love me; it’s just women I seem to have a problem with…anyway, have you ever reported the domestic violence?”
“Yes, I’ve gotten two restraining orders against him during our time together. He also pled to a minor charge of battery against me.”
“Then I wouldn’t be worried about custody. Trust me on that one.” Adam reached across the desk, clasping Tracie’s hands. “Whatever this guy was doing to you is going to stop right now.”
“Promise?”
“They teach us in law school never to promise anything, but I can tell you that Tony will have to go through me, okay?”
Tears welled up in Tracie’s eyes. Her bottom lip quivered. “Okay…You know, you’re really good with kids,” Tracie said, observing the way Adam let Willem play on his computer in such a loving way.
“I love ‘em. What can I say?”
“How am I going to pay you? I could write you a check for $250 right now.”
“Maybe you should get this bundle of energy into modeling,” Adam smiled. “But until then, $250 is fine. You pay me when you can, but make sure you’re not depriving Willem of something in order to pay my bill. Do we have a deal?”
Without saying anything, Tracie hugged Adam as tightly as she knew how. Finally, there was someone who would help her.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” Adam said through the hug.
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