Old Snow, Young Bones

Synopsis

The seventh time Ava Butler chose Leo Spencer's dog over our daughter and me, we finally learned our lesson. When she stopped coming home at night, I stopped asking where she'd been. When she tore apart Lacey Butler's treasured model airplane to make a bed for the dog, my daughter didn't cry or protest. Only after Lacey was admitted to the ER with a broken arm did Ava come rushing in, still dusty from the road. "Josh, why didn't you call me? I'm Lacey's mother too! How is she?" I answered evenly. "It's not serious. She fractured her arm, but it's been set already. "I know you're busy. Lacey will understand." Ava stopped short. "Your daughter breaks her arm and you call that 'not serious'? What kind of father says that?" She reached for me, only to be halted by the murmurs around us. "Mrs. Butler belongs with Mr. Spencer. If he hadn't gone overseas back then, how would someone like Josh ever have stood a chance?" "Exactly. He's hopelessly out of his depth. He can't even keep an eye on his own child." A crease formed between Ava's brows. "Leo and I are not involved. I swear I've only ever treated him like a younger brother." I nodded. "I believe you. Lacey was only hurt because Snowball frightened her. "I know that dog is precious to Mr. Spencer. He treasures it dearly. I didn't want to tell you and put either of you in an awkward position." For the first time, guilt flickered across Ava's face. "Leo was abandoned by his family as a child. He suffers from depression, and apart from me, that dog is all he's had. "That dog means the world to him. Please don't take it personally. I'll get Lacey the best doctors available. She'll be fine." I nodded again. "Thank you, Mrs. Butler." She blinked. "What did you call me?" "The last time I called you my wife, Mr. Spencer's depression flared up. I was worried about his condition, so I thought it best to change how I address you. "And don't worry. From now on, I'll have Lacey call you Mrs. Butler as well." Now she was genuinely rattled. "If you're angry, then be angry. Stop putting on this act and dragging our daughter into it. "I only see him as a younger brother. Don't accuse me of something so ugly." I kept my voice level. "Understood." I wasn't going to fight anymore. The tickets to Horamndol had already been booked. Three days from now, Ava would no longer be part of our lives.