“Thanks, Tony. I wouldn’t ask but we need some privacy,” Brady says, placing his hand on Tony’s back.

“Anything for you, Brady, you know that,” he says, winking at him. Tony bows slightly at the waist, saying how nice it was to meet us and he hopes we enjoy our meals. We all thank him in return, but I’m not ignorant to his lingering eyes toward my mom.

“I’m sorry for that episode at the dorms,” I apologize after we all take our seats. Brady grabs my hand under the table and squeezes it.

“It’s alright, sweetie. I’m just glad it all worked out,” my mom says, smiling at Brady.

“Thank god you picked a hottie with a brain,” my grandma says and we laugh.

“I hope you aren’t mad at me, Sadie, but I knew the only one who could talk some sense into you was Brady,” Jessa sheepishly says.

“She texted you?” I ask Brady and he nods his head in confirmation.

“Thank you, Jessa,” I graciously say.

A young waiter comes into the room with a busboy who fills our water glasses.

“Hello, my name is Jimmy and I will be your waiter this afternoon. Can I get you anything to drink?” he asks. He explains the daily specials and then retreats from the room, leaving an uncomfortable silence behind him.

Jimmy returns a few minutes later with our drinks and bread. We give him our orders and after he leaves, I figure this is the time to find out why my mother and grandmother are here.

“So Mom, why did you and grandma make the trip here?” I ask and Brady moves his arm around the back of my chair, almost as though he is preparing to comfort me.

She looks at Jessa and then back at me. “Jessa knows everything, you can talk in front of her,” I say and my mom nods her head.

“I’m leaving your father,” she reveals and I almost spit my water out.

“Why? Mom, if this is about me, it’s okay. I’m okay.”

“Oh sweetie, that didn’t help but it has been in the works for a while now.” She takes my hand in hers. “If I’m being honest, we haven’t been happy for some time.”

“Just tell her Maggie. She’s an adult, she can handle it,” my grandma chimes in.

“Ida,” my mom sighs, staring over at her.

“I love your father. He’s my only son, but he’s been cheating on your mom for years. And as much as he is my son, I equally consider your mom to be my daughter.” Grandma places her hand on top of ours.

“Oh Mom, I’m so sorry.”

“Aren’t guys just a bunch of jackasses?” Jessa speaks up and we giggle. I stare at her, suddenly wondering why she was home this morning and not with Rob.

“I’m moving in with your grandma until I can figure something out,” my mom says before I have any more time to consider that thought. “That’s not the only reason your grandma and I are here though.”

“Why then?” I ask curiously.

“Your father might have cut you off but I didn’t,” she admits. Then, looking at Brady she says, “I think you are a wonderful man and my Sadie is lucky to have found you. On behalf of my husband, I apologize.”

“No need, Maggie,” Brady responds.

“I don’t need your money, Mom. I already have my plan,” I tell her. I know first-hand what my dad will do when she leaves. He will fight her for everything, leaving her with nothing. His vengeance will never let up.

“My dad was a smart businessman. He might have left your dad his company, but he left me other things. I’ll be just fine.”

“Like what, Mom?” I ask.

“He left me a trust that only I can access. It’s money I had originally planned to leave you and Theo after I died. Your father signed papers when my dad gave him the company, stating that the money was mine and it was my choice what happens to it.”

I remember overhearing my mom in my dad’s office that morning, telling a man to put a trust in my name only.

“Still, Mom. You will need that to live off of now. I know Dad won’t give you anything,” I admit.

“Believe me, Sadie, it’s more than enough for me to live off of and still leave you plenty when I die,” she says and I sigh, not wanting to think about that. “I want to give you some now. We might not be able to live like we did with your father, but I can pay for your last semester, get you a car, and pay for your dorm.”

Brady squeezes my shoulder and draws me into him, kissing my head. “Mom,” I sigh.

“It’s the end of the discussion, Sadie. I have already paid the university for your tuition,” she admits and I stand up, giving her a huge hug.

“Thank you, Mom…thank you so much,” I say with tears flowing from my eyes.

“I’m your mother, Sadie. This is what we do.” She squeezes me hard, crying as well.

I eventually go back to my seat and cuddle up to Brady. After such a horrible night, I’m ecstatic to have the worry of paying tuition off my plate. But I think I’m still in shock over my mom leaving my dad and his extracurricular activities. I never thought my dad was cheating on my mom. She had been changing ever since Theo died, but I thought it was just because she had lost a child, causing her to cling closer to her last living one. Looking at her now, she does seem more carefree, smiling and laughing more than I have seen her in awhile.

Tony comes in, insisting to Brady he is covering the bill. We thank him and make our way out of the restaurant, but when we get to the curb, I notice my mom isn’t with us. Turning around, I see her in the doorway talking with Tony. He raises her hand, kissing it before she graciously thanks him again.

Brady drives us over to his house and we sit in the living room having coffee while we talk. Jessa disappears up to Rob’s room and I don’t see her for the rest of the night. When everyone grows tired, my mom and grandma go back to their hotel and Brady and I make our way up to his room. He makes me promise again that when he wakes up, I will be there. I agree without hesitation. I change into his t-shirt, snuggling into his arms. For once in my life, everything seems to be on track. I might not have my dad, but if I’m honest with myself, he has never been a major part of life. I have Brady, my mom, my grandma, and Jessa.

Chapter 27

I don’t know why I haven’t agreed to move in with Brady since I practically live here. I am rarely at the dorms, which means I haven’t run into Vince lately. Brady and I went to visit him after my mom left that Sunday, but since then, Brady has gone by himself. He also took me to his sister’s for dinner, which was nice and relaxing. Her husband and children were welcoming and friendly, just like her. Brady and Maura are very similar in their joking, carefree personalities.

My mom called last night from my grandma’s. My dad has already hired his lawyer to fight my mom for everything they have. She tries to keep it from me, but my grandma fills me in. My dad hasn’t tried to contact me since the night I left the house and I prefer it that way.

I worry because Brady has had to go out a couple nights to pick Vince up from the police station. The situation seems to be getting worse, which is making Brady more reserved and quiet. Vince is fortunate that he was such a distinguished professor at the university, where they do everything they can to help Brady and Maura handle the situation. Brady usually picks Vince up, and then takes him to a friend’s house to sleep it off. Vince is adamant that he won’t come back to the house. I see the toll it is taking on Brady and he is starting to pull away. His body slumps every time his phone rings, fearing the worst. He has started having nightmares and talking in his sleep. Usually they are just mumbles that I don’t understand, but last night he called out ‘Dad’ in a panic. I quickly woke him up and he instantly wrapped his arms around me tight, burying his head in the crook of my neck. He didn’t say anything, just held me close until he fell back asleep.

Brady and Maura talk a couple times a day to discuss the situation and what they should do. I often find Brady in the studio, strumming his guitar and singing quietly. Tonight is one of those nights. It’s three in the morning and I woke up without Brady, which has been the norm recently. When I open the door to the basement, I see the lights on so I venture downstairs.