Material Girl 3: Secrets & Betrayals (12 page)

“Nah, you know you’re the shit.” Angel leaned forward and brushed his nose against hers.

There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for her. She was the love of his life. He would walk through fire for her. Waking up each morning knowing that she was there by his side was the best blessing he could receive from god. They’d been through hell and back together. If he did have to serve time for assaulting Javier, he wasn’t worried about Dylan straying. He knew that no matter what she’d always be there for him.

He hoped and prayed that he could settle out of court but by the way things were looking Javier and his lawyers were aiming for jail time and a pay off. Angel hadn’t told Dylan how serious things had gotten with the case. He didn’t want to scare her anymore than she already was. Plus they had enough on their plate as it was. There was no way Angel could go to jail. Right now his family needed him the most.

“Yeah, staying in your apartment ain’t where it’s at,” Angel agreed.

“We need more space and Mason needs a backyard to play in and I was thinking,” Dylan smiled, wickedly.

“Oh lord, what?” Angel scratched his head.

“I was thinking that maybe we could start on making baby number two,” Dylan said, with an innocent look on her face.

“You out yo’ muthafuckin’ mind,” Angel replied, indignantly.

“What?” Dylan asked, visibly hurt.

“I’m just playing.” Angel kissed her all over her face.

“Boy, I was getting ready to say.” Dylan welcomed his kisses relieved.

“I really want a girl,” Dylan whispered.

“I know you do so you and my sister can spoil the fuck outta her.”

“I don’t know about that.” Dylan immediately became tense.

“Damn, my bad. I forgot,” Angel apologized as his phone rang.

“Noooooo don’t answer it,” Dylan pleaded, pulling him away from his phone.

“It’s my sister. I gotta answer it. Hello?” Angel sat up.

“Angel,” Billie said, excitedly.

“What’s up? You a’ight?”

“I’m better than okay,” Billie said, barely able to breathe. “Kyrese woke up!”
Angel turned and told Dylan.

“Thank god.” Dylan replied, relieved.

“Is he okay?” Angel asked.

“Yes, he has a headache but the doctors say he’ll be able to go home in a few days to ensure he’s a hundred percent.”

“That’s good. I’m happy for you Billie.”
            “Thank you but I also have some bad news.” Her voice trailed off.

“What is it?” Angel responded, alarmed.

“Cain is taking me to court tomorrow for an emergency hearing to gain custody of full custody of the girls and to terminate his parental rights to Kyrese.”

“What the fuck? So he doesn’t want to be Kyrese’s father anymore? He’s the only dad he knows!” Angel yelled, pissed.

“Are you serious?” Dylan scrunched up her forehead.

“Yeah, this nigga straight trying to take the girls away from Billie and relinquish his parental rights for Kyrese.”

“Wooooow,” Dylan said, stunned.

“Man, fuck that. I’m about to go see this nigga.” Angel threw the covers back.

“No!” Billie shouted. “Don’t do that. I don’t need anything to happen that’s going to make me look worse than I already do.”

“You’re right.” Angel calmed down.

“Can you put me on speaker phone for a minute?” Billie asked.

“Yeah, hold on.” Angel took the phone away from his ear. “Billie, you there?” Angel spoke into the phone.

“Yeah, I’m here,” she answered. “Dylan, hi. How are you?”

“I’m okay.” Dylan immediately caught an attitude upon hearing her voice.

“I hate to ask this of either of you but I need both of you to testify on my behalf tomorrow. I can not have my girls taken away from me.” Billie’s voice trembled.

“We got you.” Angel confirmed before Dylan had the chance to respond.

“We do?” Dylan objected.

“Yes, we do.” Angel spoke in a stern tone.

“Dylan,” Billie interjected. “I know you’re upset with me and I am so sorry for all of the pain that I have caused you. But I really need you right now. You know that my kids are everything to me. I can’t lose them.”

Dylan swallowed hard. Every part of her wanted to be on some fuck Billie type shit but her heart just wouldn’t allow it. The kids were the innocent ones in all of the drama their mother had caused. Dylan wasn’t feeling Billie at all but even at her maddest she couldn’t deny how good of a mother Billie was to her kids. She deserved a lot of foul shit to happen to her but not that.

“I’ll be there,” Dylan groaned, plopping back onto the bed.

I can’t live a lie.

-Miley Cyrus, “Wrecking Ball”

Chapter 13

Billie hated that she had to leave Kyrese for even one second now that he was awake. But there was no way she was just going to sit idly by and let Cain take away her girls without a fight. The kids were her whole entire world. Without them she didn’t exist. She’d centered her whole life around them. She’d done her best to be the best mother possible and because of one mistake and one lie, Cain might gain custody. The emergency hearing at the downtown St. Louis courthouse was private.

Only herself, Cain, Puss-n-Boots, their lawyers and the stenographer were in the room. Knox was at work and couldn’t take time off so that left Billie all alone. She was overcome with nervousness. Her palms were sweaty, she kept having mini hot flashes, her throat was dry and butterflies filled the pit of her stomach. She didn’t know where Angel and Dylan were. She prayed that they wouldn’t play her and not show up. She needed all of the support she could get.

Billie couldn’t wait for the hearing to be over so she could get back to her son. He needed her and Cain knew that. She couldn’t understand why he would be so cruel as to request giving up his parental rights to Kyrese. He was the only father Kyrese knew. How was Billie going to explain to him that his dad didn’t want to be his father any longer? It was all too much for Billie to digest.

She would give anything for a Xanax at that moment to calm her nerves but the bailiff had announced the judges’ presence and the hearing had begun. Billie swallowed the gigantic lump in her throat and arose from her seat. As Judge Wallace sat down, he requested that everyone else be seated. Billie did as she was told and looked back to see if Angel and Dylan had come in yet. They hadn’t.

Inhaling deeply, she concentrated on breathing so she wouldn’t pass out. Cain’s lawyer began the hearing spewing vile, vicious lies about Billie being an unfit mother. Cain’s lawyer depicted her as a self-centered, ego maniac, liar that lived a double life. He told the judge that she was barely at home, a narcissist, a psycho and needed clinical help. Billie expected for Cain to play dirty but not this dirty.

He was making her out to be a monster. She knew that Cain was upset with her. He had every right to be but she didn’t deserve for him to come out swinging like they were in a boxing match. Once Cain’s lawyer was done tarnishing her character it was Billie’s lawyer’s turn. As her lawyer rose to tell their side of the case, Angel and Dylan walked in. Billie was relieved to see their faces as they sat behind her.

Billie’s lawyer, Todd, told the truth that she was a dedicated, loving, caring mother who put her children before herself. He confirmed that she’d made a mistake lying about Cain being Kyrese’s father but that she was young at the time and afraid. Her lawyer told the judge that if Cain wanted to end his parental responsibilities for Kyrese then so be it but he had no grounds to try to gain full custody of Kenzie and Kaylee. Cain was often out of town on business and Puss-n- Boots was in no shape or form fit to be anybody’s mother.

As her lawyer spoke Billie looked over at Cain. He sat with a smug look on his face. He was emotionless as always. Billie tried to make eye contact with him but he wouldn’t even look her way. She wished they could stop the whole hearing and talk like two adults but Cain wasn’t mature enough. He’d been waiting for years to get his digs into Billie. After her lawyer was done speaking on Billie’s behalf it was now Cain and Billie’s chance to speak. Cain got to go first.

“Your honor.” He stood up and straightened his tie. 

“I’m here today for the well being of my children. My daughters are not safe with this woman. She’s not only a liar but a manipulator and a sociopath. I strongly believe that she needs a clinical evaluation. For years she has made me believe that Kyrese was my son and the only reason why I learned the truth is because of her negligent behavior. My ex-wife caused an automobile accident that nearly killed him and put him in a coma for over two weeks.” Cain turned and looked at Billie with disgust.

“Your honor, I do not trust her to be honest, trustworthy or responsible for our daughters anymore.”

“And why after raising Kyrese as your own for twelve years do you wish to terminate your parental rights?” Judge Wallace questioned. “Have you thought of how this will affect the boy?”

“Yes, I have and I think that it’s best for everyone if Kyrese builds a relationship with his real father.” Cain emphasized the word father as he glared at Billie.

“I have never really had a connection with him like I have with my girls and now I know why. We had no connection ‘cause he’s not my son. I don’t want the financial or emotional burden of raising a child that isn’t mine. His parents should be responsible for that.” Cain once again cut his eyes at Billie before sitting down.

“Mrs. Christianson, it’s your turn to speak.” Judge Wallace nodded his head towards her.

Billie slowly and weakly rose from her seat. Her entire body shook with fear. All of her life she’d been a fighter but with everything in her life crashing down around her all of her will to win was lost. She didn’t want to fight anymore. She was tired of living a lie and making others suffer for it.

“Your honor,” Billie’s voice cracked. “I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. I didn’t mean to hurt my son. The accident was just that, an accident. I took my eyes off of the road for a second because I was caught off guard.” Her voice quivered. 

“I really didn’t mean to hurt Cain or anyone else for that matter. I was young and I made a stupid choice that held life long ramifications that I wasn’t prepared for at the time. But that’s what it was your honor, one mistake. I’m a good mother and I love my children with all of my heart. They will attest to that. I am with my children everyday. Cain is always gone. He’s never present even when he’s with the kids. Your honor, I can’t lose my babies. I can’t lose my girls. Now if Cain no longer wants to be Kyrese’s father then I won’t stand in his way. Kyrese deserves to have a father in his life that truly loves him and will never leave him. It will be hard but I will get him through it.” Billie’s eyes welled up with tears.

“Just please don’t take away my girls. I need them just as much as they need me.” Billie pleaded to the judge once more before retaking her seat.

After her plead to the judge, Billie naturally assumed that Judge Wallace would call on their witnesses but he didn’t. Judge Wallace went straight into his ruling instead. Billie was stunned. She’d banked on Angel and Dylan’s testimony. All she could do now was pray that her lawyers’ argument and her testimony would be good enough.

“After careful consideration, I have decided to grant Mr. Townsend’s wish to terminate parental custody of Kyrese Townsend as well as gain full custody of Kenzie and Kaylee Townsend.”

“Nooooooo!” Billie’s heart stopped. “No!” She yelled.

“Billie, you have to calm down.” Her lawyer took her hand and tried to calm her down.

“I can’t calm down! They’re taking away my girls!” She wailed.

“Mr. Evans, please contain your client,” Judge Wallace warned.

“Your honor, you can’t do this!” Billie cried, hysterically.

“I’m sorry your honor. Billie please, pull yourself together,” Mr. Evans advised.

But Billie was no longer coherent. Everyone’s voices became muted. All she could see was their mouths moving. The only sound she heard was the sound of her heart beating loudly from her chest. The room was spinning at the pace of a roller coaster ride. Billie suddenly became hot. Sweat poured from her forehead and her throat began to contract. Her mouth filled with saliva and before she could excuse herself from the room a stomach full of vomit spewed from her mouth and onto Mr. Evans lap.

Kyrese was in the hospital for almost three weeks before he was given the okay from the doctors to go home. Billie was overjoyed that her baby had made a full recovery. There were still cuts and scrapes all over his body but that too would heal with time. Now it was just a matter of getting him home and comfortable. It was weird entering her home. An eerie quietness filled the sprawling estate. There was no pitter patter of little feet running through the house. Normally, the girls would come charging to the door when she came home but that was all just a memory now.

“Are you happy to be home?” Billie asked Kyrese as they walked through the front door.

“Yes.” Kyrese nodded his head.

Knox held him securely by the arm as he walked.

“Where is Kaylee and Kenzie?” Kyrese wondered out loud.

Knox looked at Billie unsure of what to say.

“They’re with your father,” Billie said, nervously as she and Knox eyed one another.

“Why are they at dad’s house? Today isn’t Friday.” Kyrese continued, confused.

“Because we wanted to make sure you had peace and quiet on your first day back home,” Billie lied.

“Oh,” Kyrese spoke solemnly.

He’d never admit it to anyone but the whole time he was in the hospital he missed his sisters terribly. They normally drove him crazy but he’d grown accustomed to their pesky behavior. Life wouldn’t be normal without it. Once they made it up the winding staircase up to Kyrese’s room, Billie pulled back the covers on his bed and helped him inside. It was such a huge relief to have her only son home. She needed the love her children most now.