The McCain Marriage Contract

"Go, Daddy," I squealed in excitement. He was gradually beginning to use his legs again with the help of a walking aid. This development gladdened my heart because it meant that he would be going home soon, which was just as well because I no longer had the McCain money to benefit from. After Raymond said those words I went back to his mansion and moved out my stuff without saying a word to anyone. I left the Chevrolet there, and if not that I needed the money to settle Dad's bills, I would have left the check there, too. I wanted nothing more to do with them.

The special treatment I received at the facility, however, did not change. That meant that the press still thought I was still a McCain. Legally, I was but the second Dad got discharged I would file for an official divorce. It was about time. Dad took slow steps, mostly shifting one foot in front of the other rather than lift them, but I had all the time in the world. With the physiotherapist by his side whispering encouraging words and with me walking close behind cheering him on, he moved forward still, pushing through the unfamiliarity of the use of his legs all over again.

As I lagged behind I allowed myself to get lost in thought. The past two months had the most profound effect on my life, much more than the previous years did. It was within this time I had dealings with the McCains again and even though I had many regrets, it was not a totally bad experience. I rubbed my abdomen absentmindedly and allowed my thoughts to stray to Mavis. She was an angel. After I left Raymond's I called her and begged to move in with her. I told her every single thing, from the past to the present. Surprisingly she didn't judge me. Instead, she hugged me and said I was welcome to stay with her for as long as I needed. I had plans of moving out soon, though. I needed to get a new place for my dad and I.

I noticed that Dad stopped walking suddenly. I rushed toward him, scared that perhaps we had pushed him too far. He was looking straight ahead and when I followed his gaze, I saw Tony McCain. Immediately I signaled for the physiotherapist to give us some privacy. He seemed reluctant to do so because he was already beaming at the sight of a billionaire in the flesh, but he left.

"I suggest you turn back and walk away while you still have legs, Tony," Dad said.

Tony chuckled. "You're one to be making jokes about legs J. J." Then he looked at me. "Valerie, how come you never told me your dad was sick? I just found out from Raymond some days back."

Dad sneered. "It's touching how much you care about me, Tony, as evidenced by how well you treated my family in the past."

Tony looked downcast suddenly and the bags under his eyes were prominent. "Can we go somewhere to talk? I know I don't deserve any minute of your time but I need this, please."

"And I need you to get the hell out of this place at once," Dad said. He was trying his hardest to control his voice so as not to attract attention to us, which was futile because Tony's very presence turned many heads in our direction. I decided to step in then. "Come on, Dad. Let's just spare a few minutes to hear what he has to say."

Tony gave me a look of gratitude but I couldn't care less. "It is not a family reunion or anything, Sir." It was impressive how quickly my brain adapted to change and made necessary adjustments. Back in Jacksonville, he was "Uncle T." to me. When I first met him in his office at Potrero Hill he immediately became "Mr. T." and now he was "Sir," all of this without prior rehearsal. Each title conferred a new level of distance between us and I hoped never to see him again. "Just say your bit and let us be." I pointed at one of the curved benches that were arranged in a line in the hallway and helped my dad sit. I sat too, and Tony followed suit.

"I know 'sorry' does not even begin to cut it but that's all I have. J. J., you deserved better and I'm sorry I wasn't a better friend. Whatever reasons I may have had for acting the way I did are no longer valid or important. I'm sorry that I messed with our family the way I did." Then he looked at me. "Valerie, you will always have a big place in my heart. I'm so sorry that I tried to blackmail you into that marriage. It was just a desperate move from an old man trying to find love for his only son. I'm very sorry for the role I played in splitting you up in the first place. The marriage was never tied to the money." Then he retrieved a paper from the inner pocket of his suit. "Take this, dear. It's a check for the remaining $600,000 like I promised. Use it to start over. It doesn't fix anything but I'd like for you to have it."

Tony was simply unbelievable. Was it even possible for me to start over? Where exactly would I start from? I had been made a complete fool of by people I once regarded as my family. I would never have a regular, private life any longer; whether I liked it or not I had veered into the circle of the famous and my life hereafter would attract attention. This was not healthy considering the little one that was growing inside of me.

As a person that very recently marked her sexual debut, I was not used to fussing about my period and safe sex days. Of course, I was aware that unprotected intercourse led to pregnancies, and Raymond and I went raw a few times, but it simply did not occur to me to get started on the pill. I felt stupid when I first noticed the symptoms, and even more so when I peed on a stick that confirmed my status. It was still early, so I could easily get an abortion with no risk to my health. The fetus was a reminder of what I had with Raymond, so it had to go.

When Tony was done talking I told him, "Thank you, but we won't be needing your money. All we want is to be left alone. Please do that for us."

Tony gave a sad smile and stood to leave. He had aged at least ten years since the last time I saw him. It was pointless to harbor any hatred or resentment for him; karma was already dealing with him in its own way. He had his demons to fight.