Chapter 53 - Newt vs Leroy - Part 2 of 2

Newt nudged Ben inside the tiny apartment daring Kaitlin and Leroy to say anything with his eyes while he directed his words to Ben. "It's okay Ben, she's not mad," he said encouraging his son to go to his mother.

Newt took in his surroundings as Kaitlin ran to Ben and pulled him into a hug. Ben just stood there and didn’t reciprocate and she pretended not to notice. “Ben I was so worried! Please, don’t ever do that again!” she said.

When she released Ben, he looked at her with disdain, “I want to live with Daddy. You don’t care about anyone but him and the babies,” he said motioning towards Leroy.

“Benjamin! You know that’s not true! I love you very much! So does Leroy,” said Kaitlin sweetly while Leroy glared up at Newt like he figured he put the words in Ben's mouth.

“Uncle Reid and Daddy don't think I'm just a little kid,” said Ben.

It was obvious to Newt that Ben needed some attention. He didn’t know all of the details of how they survived but according to Ben, the apartment had only two bedrooms and housed not just Kaitlin and their 3 children but 4 additional ones. Two were Reese’s kids, his grandchildren. What the hell was up with that? He assumed one of the toddlers in the playpen was his grandson and the other must be Leroy and Kaitlin's kid. Damn. Leroy also had his own 5 year old kid that he moved in with her who was likely the little girl sitting on the couch watching TV when he came in. She had since got up to come see what was going on, but stayed back when she sensed the tension. How did all of them survive in a two bedroom, one bath apartment. No wonder Ben was feeling left out.

Ben had told Newt that Reese was moving out after graduation when he married his girlfriend - the mother of his youngest child. That would leave Ben as the oldest boy with three little girls. He was definitely going to push for joint custody of Ben since he was almost old enough to voice an opinion, which he had just done. Well, he ran away, it shouldn't have been a surprise.

Newt spoke up, “ Ben! That’s not a respectful way to talk to your mother. She loves you and was worried sick about you. I’m sure she doesn’t think you are just a little kid. Right Kaitlin?”


“No...I…don’t,” she said looking back and forth between Ben and his father.

Newt looked around the tiny apartment then asked, “Where can we talk in private?”

Kaitlin sighed then looked at Ben and asked, “Ben, would you please take Dakota outside and play ball with her while your father, Leroy and I discuss some things please?”


“Please Ben. We won’t be long,” said Newt trying to support Kaitlin’s direction. Then he added, "I will come find you before I leave, okay? We just need to work out some things about, well the divorce."

“Okay Dad. Come on Dakota,” he said and the two of them went outside.

As soon as the door closed, even though both men knew who the other was, Newt extended his hand, “Newt Murdock,” he said as an introduction. Leroy looked at him for a second and finally extended his  hand. “Leroy Chapman,” he growled out.

The unlikely trio sat down at the kitchen table to talk and, as if on queue, Maddy started to cry.  “I will get her Kate,” said Leroy.

Newt grinned when Leroy went to fetch Maddy. “Do all of your boyfriends have a nickname for you? Katie and Kate? Or did you give them different names to hide from me?” he asked his grin turning to a frown.


“It’s none of your business,” she said defensively. Newt felt instantly terrible and was getting ready to apologize as Leroy walked in carrying the most precious little girl he had ever seen.

He immediately stood up, the apology dying on his lips. “Madison?” he asked staring at the little girl in Leroy’s arms. She was so big. The last time he saw her she couldn’t even walk yet. Newt’s heart sank thinking about how much of her life he had missed due to his own self righteous behavior. “She’s beautiful Kaitlin," he said then he smiled and spoke to his little girl. “Hi Maddy.”  He had no idea what else to say to an almost 3-year old child.

Maddy hid her face in Leroy’s chest when Newt spoke to her. Leroy smirked at Newt and comforted the little girl in his arms. “It’s okay Maddy baby,” he cooed.

Kaitlin, however, looked like she might cry so Newt sat back down with her. “Look Kaitlin," he said, "I know I messed up, no I fucked up, big time. I have been in therapy for more than a year trying to deal with it so I could move on and not repeat the same mistakes. I think we both need to come to an agreement on the terms of a divorce so we can each move forward with our lives.

Honestly, I was going to file for divorce on the grounds of spousal abandonment, but now that I found my family, I want to try and reconcile with Ben and Maddy, to have a relationship with them. Ben desperately wants it. Obviously Maddy doesn’t know me at all and that’s my fault. But maybe, with time, she will. I know they need you too. Let's just agree to share custody.”

Leroy, still holding Maddy spoke up, “What gives you the right to walk in here and demand a relationship with the very family that you abused? I am more of a father to Maddy and Ben than you have ever been!”

Maddy started to whimper. “Daddy Woy, I don’t feel gwod,” she mumbled so Leroy stood up again to try and rock her, whispering to her.

Newt was pissed now. He was trying and this Leroy just wouldn’t let it go. “Maybe to Madison," he shot out, "but not to Ben. He wants to have a relationship with me,” he gestured around the apartment as he continued, “Look at this place. No wonder Ben is running away. You have seven kids in this 2 bedroom apartment! Of course he feels ignored! He needs a father that treats him like the intelligent young man that he is!”

This time Kaitlin spoke up, “How do you know what he needs! Even when he lived with you, you didn’t have time for him!”

“Okay,” reasoned Newt, “You are right Kaitlin, I wasn't there. But this is now! And just like any child his age, he wants his parents to be together. We both know that’s not going to happen. I told him you left because we didn’t get along and that it was my fault, not his and not yours. I also told him we are getting a divorce. And he still said he wanted to live with me. I told him we would work out time for him to spend with me. Kaitlin, you can’t stop it.”

Newt glanced at Leroy cuddling his own daughter before going on, “I didn’t tell him the sordid details. Look, I lost my opportunity with Reese. Maybe one day Reese will forgive me but if he doesn’t, I will have to live with that. I just want a chance with these two.”

“So you will give her a divorce? Uncontested?” asked Leroy.

“I want joint custody of Ben and Maddy and I will - at least Ben,” said Newt.

“NO!” shouted Kaitlin and Maddy began to cry. Leroy had no choice but to try and soothe the sick toddler in the other room removing himself from the discussion.

After Leroy walked out, Newt continued to negotiate. “I understand how you must feel Kaitlin. But we need to work this out for Ben, not just for me. He's miserable. Just know that Cassie will push too.”

Kaitlin softened at the mention of Cassie, “How is your mom?” she asked.


“She misses her grandchildren. But Kaitlin, she doesn’t know everything...she’s the one that made me go into therapy because of my depression and she knows it helped me. That’s all she knows. Please don’t make me tell her that her only child was abusing his wife. Maybe she already knew, but as long as it remains unsaid, she doesn’t have to deal with it. Please.”

“I won’t make any promises Newt. Before I can agree to any type of custody arrangements for Ben and Maddy, I need to talk to Janet. I assume she will be part of their lives,” said Kaitlin nervously wringing her hands and glancing back to where Leroy had disappeared.

Newt was getting fed up with this conversation and was ready to put an end to it. What does Janet have to do with anything? he thought then took a deep breath before replying. “I told you already, she knows. Why do you want to bring her into this?” he asked.

“I need to know my children will be safe," she said breathing erratically.


Safe? I have been working to be safe for 18 fucking months! he thought knowing he was getting out of control but powerless to stop the words from rushing out his voice rising as he spoke. “And you think they are safe like they are? Fuck Kaitlin, I could take them all away in a heartbeat. You ran away from me. Then you had an affair with my brother at the same time you were screwing Leroy and had his bastard child, Reese has TWO babies and he’s still in high school and Ben not only got in trouble for stealing a video game, he ran away from home because he is miserable and you have 8 people - sometimes 9 with your boyfriend -  living in a goddamned two bedroom crackerbox!” Maybe now you will reconsider, he thought.

Kaitlin jumped up and was beginning to cower when Leroy walked back in after settling Maddy. Leroy looked at Kaitlin then looked at Newt with a crazed look on his face,  “It’s time for you to leave! NOW asshole!” he shouted.

Newt stood up and held up his hands. “I’m sorry man. Kaitlin! Tell him. I didn’t do anything to you!”

Kaitlin was panting, looking like she might pass out. Leroy tried to put his arm around her and she screamed at his touch so he quickly let her go. “Get. Out!!” he commanded.

Newt had no idea what was happening with her. “What’s wrong with her?” he asked worried.

“YOU! Now leave!” barked Leroy.

Kaitlin was crying now and kept saying, “I’m sorry, Newt, please, no,” over and over.

When she said that it clicked. She thought he was going to come at her. He wanted to go to her and comfort her and tell he wouldn’t but he knew Leroy wouldn’t let him near her, “Kaitlin, I told you I wouldn’t. I didn’t!” He said in desperation. But she didn’t acknowledge anything he said and kept backing away mumbling.


Leroy just glared at him and put himself between him and Kaitlin. He looked like he was torn between taking care of whatever was wrong with her or beating the shit out of him for apparently causing it. “Okay, I’m leaving. I will call later and check on her,” said Newt.

“Don’t bother!” snapped Leroy.

 Newt opened the door to let himself out. He heard Leroy talking to Kaitlin telling her he was gone and quietly coaxing her to take deep breaths. He stood outside the door in the hallway trying to get himself under control as well. He didn’t mean to upset her. He knew he shouldn’t have said what he did about taking the kids from her. He wouldn’t ever do that - he was just trying to get her to settle for joint custody. It was his fault she was living like she was anyway and Ben did say she was building a house.

Seeing Ben and Maddy had been a game changer for him. Maddy called Leroy Daddy. He needed to make things right with his kids and seeing how they were living made him sick. He decided he would get a lawyer and do his best to get joint custody of Ben and Maddy. He didn’t want to have to make it messy, but Kaitlin had made it clear, she wasn’t willing to do that without talking to Janet and he couldn’t put Janet through that. He couldn't risk losing the one good thing he had in his life right now. If she wanted to fight him, he would have to hire an attorney - a good one.

Newt took another deep breath and calmed himself as much as possible. He pushed the button for the ground floor. He needed to find Ben and say goodbye. Let him know that he wasn't leaving forever. Just until the divorce was worked out.


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