“And I’m also free to go to the judge and say you’re exposing our daughter to people who are drug addicts.”

I took a deep breath before responding as calmly as I could.

“How would you know who I am exposing Hayley to?”

“Because your daughter isn’t stupid and her hearing is perfect. She told me a little bit of what was said and it was quite easy to figure out that your … friend is from rehab.”

“And so that’s a crime, consorting with people from rehab?”

“It’s not a crime, Michael. I just don’t think it is best for Hayley to be exposed to a parade of addicts when she stays with you.”

“Now it’s a parade. I guess the one addict you’re most concerned with is me.”

“Well, if the shoe fits…”

I almost lost it but once again calmed myself by gulping down some of the fresh sea air. When I spoke I was calm. I knew that showing anger would only hurt me in the long run when it came time to re-address the custody arrangement.

“Maggie, this is our daughter we’re talking about here. Don’t hurt her by trying to hurt me. She needs her father and I need my daughter.”

“And that’s my point. You are doing well. Hooking up with an addict is not a good idea.”

I was squeezing my phone so hard I thought it might break. I could feel the scarlet burn of embarrassment on my cheeks and neck.

“I have to go.”

My words came out strangled by my own failures.

“And so do I. I’ll tell Hayley you’ll be there by seven thirty.”

She always did that, ended the call with inferences that I would disappoint my daughter if I was late or couldn’t make a scheduled pickup. She hung up before I could respond.

The living room downstairs was empty but then I saw Patrick and Nina out on the lower deck. I stepped out and over to the railing where Patrick stood staring at the waves. I tried to put the upset from the conversation with my ex-wife out of my head.

“Patrick, you said you tried surfing here but the rip was too strong?”

“That’s right.”

“Are you talking about a riptide?”

“Yeah, it’s tough out here. The shape of the cove creates it. The energy of the waves coming in on the north side is redirected under the surface and sort of ricochets south. It follows the contour of the cove and carries it all the way down and then out. I got caught in that pipeline a couple times, man. It took me all the way out past those rocks at the south end.”