“We are legally married,” Hank informed her coldly as he put his hand over mine.

She looked at me. “I always knew you were a homo!” Then she turned toward Hank. “I had no idea you liked little boys! So have you been fuckin’ my son for all this time?!”

“No!” Hank thundered. “It wasn’t like that!”

“Even if it was, it isn’t any of your business!” I yelled. “You lost any say that you had over me when you left me and Hank for that gross trucker!”

“I’ll always be your momma!” Angie insisted.

“I might not be able to change genetics, but Hank is all the family I need now!”

“So,” Angie began, turning toward Hank. “You done turned my own flesh and blood against me!”

I glowered at her. “I think ya did a pretty damn good job of doing that yourself!”

“Everyone calm the fuck down!” Hank blasted, slamming his fist down on the table. “I am the man of this house and I am the head of this family!” He paused, inhaling a deep breath through his flared nostrils. “Angie, what is it that ya want from us?”

“I done told ya,” she began. “I is here ta reclaim my husband and my son!”

“That ain’t happening!” I shot back defiantly.

“Austin!” Hank growled. “Be quiet, boy!” He paused. “Now, here is the way of things, Angie,” he began sternly. “You and I are divorced! I’m married to Austin now and that ain’t ever gonna change no matter who shows up to darken our door.”

Angie scowled.

“You may have given birth to Austin, but he doesn’t want anything to do with you!” Hank turned toward me. “That’s right, ain’t it?”

“Yes!” I exclaimed.

“This ain’t your house!” my husband began again. “You have no legal claim to it, and you ain’t welcome here! And that’s the end of this discussion!”

Her face fell, her expression saddened, and her lips began to quiver. “I ain’t got no place ta go,” Angie whimpered. “I’m homeless.” Tears began to fall from her hazel eyes.

I wasn’t buying her phony tears for one second. I had seen her whip up tears to manipulate men for as long as I could remember. I had seen the same facial tics and hopeless expressions too many times. I swear that my mother could make Meryl Streep look like an amateur.

Hank looked over at me and I could see the compassion in his eyes. I shook my head and mouthed the word no at him.

“Well, maybe I can put ya up at the Red Roof Inn for a couple of nights,” Hank offered.

Immediately, Angie’s tears disappeared and her smile returned. “Oh, really, that is so kind of ya!”

“Just for a couple of nights!” I added.

She shot me a sharp look.

“That’s right… just a couple of nights,” Hank reiterated calmly. “Then, maybe me and Austin will help ya find one of them women’s shelters that’ll take ya in.”