WHO: Rhett and Xo WHEN: Wednesday, September 5. WHERE: Phone log. SUMMARY: Xo is willing to give Rhett a blood test to determine if Olly is his, but she has a few stipulations. WARNINGS: None.
A breath. A pause. Thumb hovering over the button. It was pressed and the phone began to ring.
Two rings.
“Xo. Hello?”
“Hi. Yes. Me. Xo.”
“This is a pleasant surprise. How are you?”
“Is it? I mean. The surprise part. And. I’m fine. Just fine. You?”
“Yes. It's good to hear from you. I was not sure when I would hear from you next. Is there anything that I can do for you to make your Fine a Well?”
“No. I mean. I’ve given some thought to our last conversation. I have some stipulations.”
“I see. Alright. What are your stipulations?”
“I. Okay. If it’s A match or whatever. I don’t want your money. I don’t want it or need it. Olly and I don’t need it. And I want full custody.”
“I have always assumed you would want to retain full custody. And if anything were to happen and you changed your mind about the money, I would always be willing to help, but I would not force my money on you. I agree to your stipulations.”
“In writing?”
“My lawyer is here. I can have her write something up right now.”
“Right. I don’t have a lawyer on retainer or whatever. But I can call the studio, we have one there they can look over it for my end.”
“I'd say that's a good thing. That sounds perfect. I'll have her send it to you as soon as she's done.”
“Right. Okay. So. We’ll do that. And then get a blood test.”
“Yes. [...] Thank you, Xiomara.”
“Please don’t call me Xiomara.”
“Can I ask why?”
“Because that's not the name I asked to be called. I'll talk to you later, Rhett. To figure all... This out.”