Deadbeat dads, p.2
Deadbeat Dads, page 2
“No more false promises, Johnny. You’ve told me that too many times, and I’m not falling for it this time. I want money for your kids, and I want it now.”
Johnny looked at me, tipped his head back, and laughed. “Or what, you’re going to throw me in jail? Get a life, Erica.”
That did it! Anger welled up in me. Bitterness filled my mouth. I raised my hand to strike out at Johnny. He grabbed my hand midway.
“That’s not a good idea.” He shoved me backwards and turned to leave.
I’ve heard the saying saw red before, but never really knew what it meant until now. Vivid shades of red flashed in front of my eyes. Everything I saw had a red tint to it. I rubbed my wrist where Johnny had squeezed it. Tears stung my eyes. Try as I might, I couldn’t hold them back. That bastard was going to pay now. I was tired of him putting me off.
“Johnny!” I screamed at him. He half turned to look at me, missed the step, fell forward and tumbled down the stairs. I stared at him lying at the bottom. His head turned to the side, blood oozed from his mouth. His eyes stared up at me. It didn’t look like he was breathing. I rushed down the steps.
Oh my God, what had I done? I knelt next to him, felt for a pulse, nothing. “He’s dead.” My voice echoed in the stairwell. I leaned back on my knees, covered my mouth to squelch the scream rising in my throat. “Oh my God, oh my God, I’ve killed him.” My body trembled, but somehow I pulled myself to my feet and looked around the empty stairwell. I had to get out of here.
I stepped over his body and looked around. Thank goodness, no one was around. I gathered up my purse, and raced down the steps to my car. I started it and squealed out of the garage, glad the attendant was gone. Tears blurred my eyes. Johnny was dead, and I killed him. He was a rat, but he didn’t deserve to die.
I pulled into Becky’s a few minutes later.
“What’s wrong?” Becky only had to take one look at me to see something was wrong.
I didn’t even take off my coat. I sank in a chair, wishing it would swallow me. “I’ve done a horrible thing.”
Becky poured each of us a cup of coffee and sat at the table next to me. “What happened?”
I couldn’t hold back the tears. They streamed down my face as I told my friend about Johnny. I still couldn’t believe he was dead. Couldn’t believe I had something to do with it. “I panicked. I ran.”
“You have to call the police.” Becky rubbed my hand. “It’s okay, Erica, it was an accident, but you have to call the police. He fell, it wasn’t your fault.”
“No, I can’t. How can I prove it was an accident? We were arguing. He laughed at me. Do you know how humiliating that is? He laughed at me. I shuddered and the anger returned. “That bastard laughed at me. All I asked was for him to take responsibility for his kids-give them what they deserved. He lives in that big fancy house with his new wife and kid and my kids, his kids are ignored. That’s not fair.”
Becky shook her head. “Erica, look I know you didn’t mean to do it, but you have to call the police. You can’t just let him lay there.”
I looked at my friend. She just didn’t get it. If I called the police there’d be an investigation. I knew I’d end up in jail. I stood up. “Can you keep Josh overnight? I need time to think.”
Becky nodded. “Yeah but I still think…”
I raised my hand to quiet her. “I know what you think. Just promise me you won’t tell anyone. Okay?”
Becky nodded. “Okay.”
I pulled into my drive a few minutes later. What to do? Could I just let Johnny lay there until someone found him? I unlocked the door and ran to the bathroom and threw up. Afterwards, I splashed cold water on my face and tried to calm down. I felt bad Johnny was dead, really I did.
Now his kids wouldn’t get anything from him. I wondered if he had changed over his insurance policy. More than likely, knowing Johnny. I hoped he at least listed the kids as beneficiaries. How cold and callous I sounded. My ex-husband was dead. I killed him, and all I worried about was if the kids would benefit from his insurance. When had I turned into such a shallow person? I made a pot of coffee and turned on the television. I needed to think, to sort this out. I curled up in the corner of the couch.
The news was just ending, but the newscaster broke in with a breaking story. “The body of attorney, John Morris, was found on the steps of the parking garage at the Standard Building. Police are investigating, but there are no signs of foul play. It appears to be an accident. We’ll update you when we learn more.”
At least they found him. Now I didn’t have to worry about calling the police. An accident, I’d be off the hook. I grabbed the phone and dialed my friend. “Becky, did you watch the news on channel five? They found Johnny’s body.”
“No the boys are playing a game I don’t have the television on. Who found it? When?”
“They didn’t say who found it. The police think it was an accident. I have to let them think that, Beck. Besides, it was. I’ll come over and get Josh. I’ll see you in a little bit.”
God, how was I going to tell the kids their father was dead? I dialed the phone again and called Susan Burns. I hated to do it, but I had to pick up Katie, too.
I picked Josh up first and broke the news.
“How, what happened?” Josh wiped tears from his eyes.
I hugged him. “It was an accident. He fell down the steps in the parking garage. They aren’t sure what happened, maybe he had a heart attack. I don’t know.” I certainly couldn’t tell him I killed his father. I drove to Jessie’s to pick up Katie.
It had been hard to tell the kids their father left and was getting a divorce, but that was nothing compared to this. It didn’t matter that Johnny didn’t visit or call. He was still their father, no matter what kind of a jerk he was.
Katie burst into tears when I told her. “Daddy’s dead. He can’t be. I mean….” Her body shook and her tears turned into gut-wrenching sobs.
I held my daughter and tried to comfort her. Lord, what had I done? How were we going to get through this? I guessed I’d have to call Babette, offer to help, see if there was anything she needed. Cripe, she was just a kid herself, only twenty-five and with a new baby. The fact that she stole my husband didn’t enter into it. If it hadn’t been Babette, it would have been someone else. I couldn’t really blame the girl, Johnny was good-looking and a smooth talker. I had no doubt he made the advances. Sure, Babette could have resisted and should have known better, but I still couldn’t lay all the blame on her.
Chapter Three
Once Katie and Josh were settled, I picked up the phone, took a deep breath, and dialed. “Babette, this is Mrs. Morris, I just….”
“I think you’re mistaken, I’m Mrs. Morris.” Babette’s whiny voice came over the line.
I took another breath. Point made. “Right, this is Erica. I just heard the news and wondered if there’s anything I can do.”
“Actually there is. You can leave me alone. And don’t think you’re going to horn in on Johnny’s insurance policy either.”
I held the receiver away from my ear. That little bitch hung up on me, slammed down the phone. I called to offer help, and the only thing Babette could think of was Johnny’s insurance policy. Well let her have it. Johnny only carried a minimal amount. She’d be lucky to bury him with it.
The next call I made was to Becky. “Hey Beck, you’re not going to believe this. I just called Babette.” After relaying the conversation to my friend, I was surprised at her reaction.
“What did you expect her to say? You’re the former wife, of course she resents you.”
“But all she could think about was the insurance policy. That was the farthest thing from my mind.”
Becky took a deep breath and it set off alarm bells.
“Okay give. What do you know?” Becky only acted that way if she knew something and didn’t want to share.
“Uh, um…,”
“Come on, spit it out. You know whatever it is I’ll find out anyway.” I could picture Becky curling her long blond hair around her finger, trying to figure a way to avoid telling me.
“Fred told me Johnny took out a million dollar insurance policy about two weeks ago. The sexy Babette won’t be hurting. I understand the house will be paid off too.”
“A million dollars!” My breath caught in my throat. “That bastard only had about five thousand while he was married to me. More than likely, my kids weren’t named as beneficiaries on the new policy. And I couldn’t fight it, Babette said as much. Damn you, Johnny, even now your kids are going to suffer.
“But Fred also said Katie and Josh are entitled to Social Security. You better apply.”
“Social Security, I never thought of that. You’re right, they will qualify. Well, at least they’ll get something from Johnny.”
“Erica, um….” There was a hint of nervousness in Becky’s voice. “I still think you should go to the police, tell them what happened.”
“Are you crazy? They think this was an accident. If I went to the police, they’d arrest me. Then where would Katie and Josh be, with no parent? Sorry, Beck. I really do feel badly about what happened. But it wasn’t my fault – it was an accident. Nope, I’m not going to the police. Let’s let sleeping dogs lie.”
I went to bed and tossed and turned. Every time I closed my eyes, Johnny’s broken body stared at me from the bottom of the steps. Finally, after two tranquilizers, I fell asleep. But when I opened my eyes in the morning Johnny’s open eyed stare was the first thing I saw. I closed my eyes trying to make it go away. It wasn’t like I did it on purpose. It was an accident. He tripped. He shouldn’t have laughed at me. Why didn’t he just pay his fair share, then I wouldn’t have looked for him? Yet, part of me wasn’t sorry he was dead. The kids were better off. At least now they didn’t have to wonder why he didn’t want them around. Didn’t visit.
I muddled through the next couple of days in a blur, trying to rid my mind of the horrible vision.
Babette had Johnny cremated and chose a memorial service instead of an open casket funeral. Funny, when Johnny and I had discussed it he told me he didn’t want to be burned. Oh well, too late now, Johnny. You burned us; guess now it’s your turn.
How cynical I had become since the divorce, cold and hard-hearted. Not because of the divorce, I reminded myself. It was because of the kids. It didn’t matter how Johnny hurt me, but he withheld his time and love from the kids, not to mention the child support?
I took the kids to the Memorial Service. People, I once considered friends, ignored me. Only Becky and Fred spoke to me. Fine, I didn’t want to associate with them anyway. They gathered around poor Babette, who seemed to come alive with their attention. That was one rich woman who wouldn’t stay single long, I’d bet my life on it. Already men flocked to her side, offering help and support. Oh yeah, the sexy Babette would probably be married before the year was out. Not that I cared. It helped ease some of the guilt.
Actually, Babette was better off. A million dollar insurance policy and her mansion paid off. The woman had done well for herself that’s for sure. Now it was time for me to get on with my life. At least the kids would receive Social Security benefits from their father. Babette couldn’t take that away from them, and they were beneficiaries on the small five thousand dollar policy. How thoughtful of their father.
Chapter Four
I called the next meeting of W.E.D.D. to order. It had been a rough couple of weeks. Johnny haunted me, day and night. I saw his broken body everywhere. I finally managed to get it out of my mind when I ran into Babette at the doctor’s office. Of all things we shared a doctor. Babette came in with a young, dark haired, muscular man on her arm. I almost laughed aloud at their antics. It didn’t take a genius to know this wasn’t a new romance. So, the sweet little Babette was fooling around on Johnny. Too bad he hadn’t lived to see that. What goes around comes around.
Babette ignored me, which didn’t bother me a bit. In fact, I was sorry I had done the woman such a big favor. We both received more from Johnny’s death than we did if he remained alive. Of course, Babette had the big house and fancy car, and I still had to work. No doubt if Babette divorced Johnny she’d be left in the same boat I was. With Johnny out of the way, she inherited everything, and now Katie and Josh were getting Social Security until they were sixteen, more than they got from their father. Plus, they had the five thousand dollar insurance money in the bank. A little something for their college fund.
An idea began to form in my mind. All these deadbeat dads had skipped out on their kids, and their new wives were benefiting from their wealth. Too bad I hadn’t thought to take out an additional insurance policy on Johnny with Katie and Josh as beneficiaries.
Time to get on with the meeting.
“Okay ladies, I know you all heard what happened to my ex husband.” I raised my hand to quiet them. “What you don’t know is he bought a million dollar insurance policy and didn’t name his kids as beneficiaries. They only benefited from his small five thousand dollar policy.” Again, I shushed the gasps from the group. “They do receive Social Security benefits, which is more than they got from their father. But what I’m proposing today is, if any of you can manage to take out even a small insurance policy, do it and name your kids beneficiaries.”
“Is that legal?” Rae Anne raised her hand. “I mean can we do that, take out an insurance policy without their knowledge?”
“Well, let’s put it this way. If the policy is issued then it’s legal. We get stuff in the mail all the time saying no physical necessary, just answer the questionnaire. Granted, you’d have to sign your ex husband’s name, and that is fraud, but once he’s dead who’s going to prove it? In fact, other than you and the insurance company who’s going to know you took out the policy? I’m not saying to list yourself as beneficiary – I’m saying list your children. Besides that, you need to talk with your lawyer and make sure that your kids are provided for in case of his death.” I took a breath.
How could I have been so stupid? Besides being under stress, I didn’t know the law. That’s why I hired a lawyer. Why hadn’t he thought of it?
“I didn’t know any of this until after Johnny died. I’m going to try to contest that policy and make sure my kids are compensated. God knows how long that’s going to take. But they deserve something. So, I’m telling you this to protect your kids now. Make sure they’re on those policies and what the heck if you want to take out a little extra, why not? I know when we were married Johnny only carried a limited amount of insurance on himself. He didn’t even carry a policy to pay off the house.”
“Are you telling us to commit fraud? I mean if we sign our ex hubbies name to that policy that’s forgery.” Nicole whispered.
“Okay, don’t take out the policy. But make sure the kids are protected under your divorce decree. Mine weren’t. I’m sure the fact that Johnny was an attorney might have had something to do with it. I got screwed all the way around. My attorney knew Johnny, heck, they all knew Johnny, and they all stuck together. But that’s not the case with most of you. Call your attorneys and ask if your kids are provided for. If not, see if they can amend the decree. Let’s break for refreshments.”
I needed a break, my thoughts and emotions were in turmoil. I hadn’t realized this talk would affect me this way. Anger flared up in me. What a thoughtless bastard Johnny was.
I sipped my coffee and watched the women congregate into small groups. Nicole stood apart from the rest of them, and I joined her. “How are you doing, Nicole?’
Nicole struggled to make ends meet. Bob had all but disappeared from the face of the earth. They weren’t even divorced. The bank had foreclosed on their house, and Nicole took a job as a waitress and moved into an apartment. That’s when Josh and Cindy became friends. Cindy also threw herself into her school work and they isolated themselves from the rest of their classmates.
“I’m fine. I….uh, what you said back there about making sure my kids are listed as beneficiaries, how do I do that? I mean I don’t even know where Bob is.”
“That’s why I suggested you take out your own policy. Besides, who’s going to know if you sign his name?”
“That’s true, but how am I going to know if he’s dead? I can’t even find him for child support payments. Even child welfare service is looking for him. If I had the money I’d hire a private detective.”
Private detective. The wheels in my head started to turn. Somehow, some way I was going find Bob and make him compensate Nicole. I smiled. “It’ll work out somehow, Nicole. Really it will.” God only knows how, but I’d personally see to it. Nicole had lost more weight since the last meeting. The poor thing almost looked like a skeleton with skin. This wasn’t fair. New anger surged through me.
“Erica, I ...uh….I don’t know if I’ll be able to come to anymore meetings, I have to take another job, this one doesn’t pay enough to make ends meet. I really appreciate your support, but I’m sorry….” Nicole turned away.
“Hey, Nicole.” I put my arm around the woman. Damn that Bob. “I understand. Anything I can do to help? If you need to talk, call me, and you’re always welcome at the meetings. Okay?”
“Thanks, Erica. You’ve already been a big help. Just knowing other women are in the same boat helps. Not that it takes away the problem, but at least I know I’m not alone.
Chapter Five
After the meeting, I went home and turned on my computer. There had to be some way to find Bob. Sure, social workers were looking for him, but with their case load, they wouldn’t exhaust all possibilities. I typed Bob’s name in the search engine. Robert Brown turned up over 9,890,000 entries, but I narrowed it with people search. I remembered from past conversations Bob liked warm climates so I searched them, looking for someone with the same approximate age between 38 and 40. I found several that fit. For $9.95 I could get more information, but I hesitated since I really couldn’t afford to spend the extra money right now. I turned off the computer and fixed myself something to eat. There had to be a way to make these guys pay, and I was determined to find out how.
