Be My Babies. Kathryn Shay

came from. Wherever that—” he waved his drink at the papers “—came from.”

      “A law firm from upstate.”

      Derek slugged back his scotch and stretched out his legs. “Should I sign them?” The thought turned his stomach. He didn’t want Liliana to leave him, but he was remembering things he’d done to her, and in his sober moments—few though they were—he knew she was better off away from him and his addictions. Some of which she didn’t even know about.

      His mother studied her drink and said casually, “We could find her through the lawyer.”

      “I guess.” But what good would it do? He’d only hurt her again.

      “Do you want her back, Derek?”

      “No. For her sake.”

      “Then I have a better idea.” She stood, went to the phone and punched in a number. “Hello, Susan, this is Johanna Wakefield. My son and I would like to see Marcus today.”

      “So soon?” Derek asked as she waited.

      “That’s what retainers are for, darling.” Into the mouthpiece she said, “Yes, three would be fine. What? Oh, we’re going to need divorce papers drawn up.”

      Derek’s eyes widened and a sharp pain sliced through him. “Divorce papers?”

      “It’s for the best, Derek. We Wakefields never do anything halfway.”

      “No,” he said getting up to fix himself another drink. “I guess we don’t.”