by Dorie Graham
“Alex,” she said. “It’s so good to see you. Come give me a hug.”
Tears stung Alex’s eyes as she slipped onto the bench and her mother enfolded her in her embrace. “Mom, I’m so happy to see you.”
Her mother held her close and rubbed her back. “I can’t believe how you’ve grown, honey.”
She pulled back and tucked Alex’s hair behind her ears. “I like the shorter length, though what does Chase have to say about it?”
“Chase? He really hasn’t said anything.”
“He is taking you to prom, right?” Light danced in her mom’s blue eyes. “We’ll have to find you a dress and I’m sure we can find a way to put your hair up that will look nice.”
Prom? Disappointment flickered through Alex, but she shook it off. At least she wasn’t some stranger today. She dredged up a smile. “I’m sure we can figure something out.”
“He’s such a nice boy. I’m so glad he finally came to his senses and noticed what was right there under his nose all these years.” She laughed lightly. “Of course you were too young for him to date most of that time, but anyone with eyes knew it was inevitable.”
Alex gripped her mother’s hands. Should she ask her about the affair? Should she ruin what might be the last semi lucid visit they shared? “Mom, do you remember Chase’s aunt Rena?”
She again laughed. “I think I remember my best friend.”
“I know you two spend a lot of time together.” She cocked her head. “Where’s your favorite place to go with her? Who do you hang out with, besides Rena?”
“Did you know we went to school together? Rena and I go way back.” She shook her head and her smile faded. “We like to go dancing. Your father doesn’t care to dance, but I decided that wouldn’t stop me from kicking up my heels.”
Shifting on the bench, she faced Alex more fully. “Listen, honey, I want to talk to you about Chase.”
“Mom, Chase and I...”
“Relationships are hard and they require a lot of work. I know you’re frustrated with his go-with-the-flow attitude, but I do think Chase will make something of himself one of these days. True, he lacks direction, but he’s come such a long way. He’s doing great considering all the drama he has at home.” She patted Alex’s hand. “Cut him some slack, okay? I think he’ll surprise you. When you find someone who cares about you the way Chase does you should hold on tight to that.”
“I’m not sure if I can do that, though. It’s not that easy.”
Her mother folded her hands into her lap. “I just want you to be happy, Alex.”
“Are you happy, Mom?”
Sadness flickered through her mother’s eyes, but then she smiled. “I have my beautiful children, a faithful husband who adores me. Everyone’s healthy and happy. What more could I hope for?”
Alex’s throat tightened. Tears pricked her eyes and she pressed her lips together, lest the terrible truth spill from her.
“I really like Chase,” her mother said. “He’s more like his aunt than his mother. And he’s good for Robert. He keeps him from being too serious all the time. Promise me,” she said.
“Promise you what?”
Her eyebrows furrowed. “Promise me you’ll give Chase a chance, a real chance.”
Alex nodded. “Okay, Mom.”
* * *
“WHERE ARE YOU going?” Kara asked as Chase headed for the door.
He paused with his hand on the doorknob. He was leaving for his trip with Alex on Sunday and thanks to traveling for work and Kara’s shenanigans, he hadn’t been by to see his father in over a week.
“I’m going to see my dad,” he said.
“Can I come?” She grabbed her book bag and hurried toward him.
“Are you sure you want to?”
She stopped, staring at him with her eyes narrowed. “He was kind of my dad, too, at one time.”
“But that was ages ago. You were a little kid. Do you remember him at all, except for the yelling and screaming and cursing and breaking of things?”
“I do, actually. He read to me,” she said.
“He read to you?” Chase shook his head. “When did that happen? I thought you two didn’t get along.”
“Okay, maybe it was just the one time, but he did read to me. He read me The Cat in the Hat.”
“Are you sure this is a memory? You didn’t dream it? I honestly can’t imagine him doing that. The man never once read to me.”
“I’m sorry, Chase. I guess I’m special.” She gestured toward the door. “So, let’s go. I want to see him.”
“But why? He’s not even nice to you. Not that he’s overly nice to anyone else.”
Her gaze dropped. “Well, maybe I want to change that,” she said quietly. “It’s not like I have a real family. At least not one I know of. You and your dad are the closest thing I have. I want to try again with him.”
“Kara, we are family, but I don’t think it’s a good idea. He still blames you for your mom running off. I know it’s wrong and he’s an idiot and I’ve told him it was his drinking that sent her and everyone else he’s ever cared about packing, but you know he’s never going to be able to admit it was his fault. He’s not well. As your guardian I’m not sure I even want you around him. He’s unpredictable when he drinks and, yes, he’s been back at it again.”
“Except for you,” she said. “He’s sent everyone packing except for you.”
Frustration had him shaking his head. “I get that you want to try to fix him. So did I, for years. I tried to help him by making sure he kept a job and paid his bills. But I was spending all my time making sure he was okay and he wasn’t and all I was actually doing was enabling him. I even dragged him to counseling and AA meetings, but he’s got to want to change. We can’t make him.”
“So we’ll both be there for him when he hits rock bottom and makes that choice to change.”
“Do you know how many times I’ve thought he hit rock bottom?” he asked. “Honestly, I don’t know how much longer I can take him. Sometimes I feel like I’m beating my head against a wall.”
“So it will be easier if I help you with him.” She gestured with her hands. “You’ve given me so much, Chase. Not just taking me in this time, which is damn awesome, but in how you’ve always been there for me, no matter how bad it got. I would have been on the streets years ago if not for you. Please, let me go with you. Let me help you with your dad. Let me do something in return for all you’ve done and continue to do for me, even though sometimes I inadvertently get into trouble.”
He touched her cheek. “You’re still grounded, you know. Indefinitely.”
“Yes, I know, though I can’t believe you’re punishing me for something I had no control over.”
He held her gaze. “You have total control over who you choose for your friends, Kara. You need to look at all those times you’ve gotten into trouble and ask yourself if it was because of the company you were keeping.”
She rolled her eyes. “Fine. I’ll keep better company. Can we go?”
He opened the door and stepped onto the porch. “Don’t get your hopes up. This could be unpleasant if he’s been drinking.”
“Or he might be sober and I’ll be able to win him over,” she said as she followed him out the door.
His spirits lightened at the thought of his father having to deal with the girl’s optimism. Fifteen minutes later they walked through his father’s open garage door and pushed through his kitchen door, which was unlocked, as usual. The smell of decaying food emanated from a pile of dirty dishes in the sink.
“Gag me,” Kara said as she dropped her book bag in one of the kitchen chairs. She headed straight for the sink, obviously determined to make short work of the dishes.
“Don’t you want to say hello first?” Chase asked.
“I can’t be in this house with this smell. It probably reeks all the way upstairs. How does he live like this?”
Chase chuckled softly. “Years of conditioning.”
<
br /> Her eyes rounded as she scraped the contents of a plate into the trash. “Well, we’re just going to have to recondition the man.”
She shooed him on with a flick of her wrist. “Go on and say hello. I’ll come find you guys when I’m finished here.”
Grinning, Chase went in search of his old man. He made his rounds of the entire house to no avail. As he stood in the back bedroom, a banging sounded from the shed in the backyard.
Curious, he made his way through the tall grass and weeds to the structure. His father had built it from a kit when Chase had been about ten. He’d helped and his mother had brought them iced tea and cookies on a break. It was one of his fondest memories from back in the days before everything had fallen apart.
The paint was peeling and the boards showed the weathering of all those years, but the building appeared sound. He peered through the open door. His father stood with his back to him, squatting over an inverted lawn mower.
“Does that thing actually work?” Chase asked. At least his dad was being productive. That was a good sign.
His father turned, his eyebrows arched. “It did, until I hit that rock.” He flipped the mower upright. “I just put a new blade on. It should be okay. Of course, it needs a tune-up, but I think I can get it going another time or two.”
“Do you need help?” Chase asked. “I can sweep through and look for more rocks.”
“That would be good.” His father stepped into the tall grass with him. “There are probably some big limbs, as well, from those storms.” He gestured along one side. “I’ll take this area, if you want to take over there.”
“Sure.” Chase grabbed a rake to search through the grass. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
His father scanned the area in front of him. “Since I last cleaned up the yard? Obviously. Since I last saw you? Not too bad this go-round. Since I last attended a meeting?” He paused as he stooped to pick up a large limb, the bark crumbling from the surface. “I’ve been every day for the past nine days, ever since I last saw you.”
“That’s great, Dad. I’m glad to hear it.”
“I know I’ve said this a million times and you don’t believe it anymore, but I’m going to stick with it this time.”
Chase didn’t respond. How many times had they had this conversation? He found it harder and harder to maintain any optimism on that front. Maybe it was a good thing Kara had tagged along.
“I brought you a present,” he said, glancing at his father.
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“Actually, I did. She didn’t give me much of a choice.”
His father frowned. “She?”
Setting aside the rake, Chase motioned for his father to follow him. “It’s Kara. She insisted on coming. Why don’t you come say hello?”
His father shook his head, frowning. “She’s a troublemaker. Why did you bring her?”
“I won’t deny she tends to stir up trouble, though she doesn’t do it on purpose. She wanted to come with me. She wants to see you.”
“Why?”
“You can ask her. She’s cleaning up your kitchen.” Chase turned and headed toward the house.
“Shit. I don’t like this,” his father said, but he followed.
The scent of bleach drifted on the air as they entered the kitchen. Kara turned to them, drying her hands on a dish towel. She smiled. “I was just coming to find you.”
“I saved you the trouble,” Chase said. “He couldn’t wait to see you.”
His father scowled at him, then addressed Kara. “What are you doing, miss?”
“Getting rid of the stink around here, but you don’t have to thank me, Roy. This is what family does for each other.” Her eyes shone and an angelic smile curved her lips. “How are you doing? It’s been a long time.”
“Family.” His father stood stiffly in front of the girl. “You were...” He held his hand to indicate her height the last time he’d seen her. “You were a little thing.”
“I was.” She glanced at Chase. “Hey, Roy, didn’t you read to me once? Chase doesn’t believe me, but I remember it.”
His forehead furrowed. “I’m not sure. My memory isn’t so good.” He brightened. “Wait, was it one of those rhyming books?”
“Yes! It was The Cat in the Hat.” She grinned at Chase. “See? I told you.”
“Thanks, Dad. You never read to me.”
His father pointed at Kara. “You never hounded me like that one. Even as a little person she was always insisting on having her way.”
“Things haven’t changed in that department,” Chase said and winked at Kara.
“Well, they’ve changed in other ways. Look at you, miss. You’re all grown up.” His father’s voice grew rough. He straightened. “I can clean my own kitchen.”
“Of course you can, but I wanted to pitch in. Besides, it reeked. And I’m not finished. I was going to mop the floor.” She opened the refrigerator and frowned. “We need to grocery shop. I can make dinner.”
“You don’t need to,” his father said as he closed the refrigerator. “I’m capable of taking care of myself.”
“Of course you are,” she said. “But we’re family. And family helps each other.”
He turned to Chase. “Why does she keep saying that?” He faced her again. “We have no blood between us.”
“Family isn’t always blood.” She walked to Chase and hooked her arm through his. “This man is my family. He is all I have.” She stood before Chase’s father. “And you’re his family, so you’re my family by default.”
“That’s nuts,” he said. “I’m going to mow the lawn.”
Kara frowned as he left. Chase squeezed her shoulder. “Don’t let him get to you. He’s been cranky most of his life. He’ll come around.”
“Yes.” She smiled. “I’m not giving up until he does.”
The lawn mower roared to life in the yard. “He got it going,” Chase said. “I should go help him.”
“I’ll finish cleaning in here. The entire house needs a good scouring, actually. I won’t be able to finish it all today.” She cocked her head. “Is my airline ticket refundable?”
“It is, but we caught a good deal. Why?”
“How about if I come over here on Sunday and stay while you and Alex go find your aunt?”
He nodded slowly. “Maybe, but what if he falls off the wagon again?”
She turned him toward the door. “Then I’ll deal with it. If I have trouble I’ll call you. Besides, you can’t think about that. It’s counterproductive.”
“We could get the number of his AA sponsor, in case you needed someone immediately.”
“Perfect,” she said.
“But Dad might not want you to come over.”
“Well, then I’ll just have to make myself indispensable.”
With a shake of his head, he headed after his father. If Kara was truly determined to make herself indispensable, it might actually be a good thing for all of them. The sun warmed him as he turned his face up to its rays. For the first time in a long time he had hope they might salvage something out of this family.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
ADRENALINE PUMPED THROUGH Chase as he climbed the steps to the Petersons’ side door early Sunday morning. He was going to spend the day with Alex and hopefully they’d find Robert’s father. He raised his hand to knock.
How many times had he walked through that door without knocking, feeling completely welcome? This place had been a second home to him. If he were truthful with himself, he had to admit it was actually the only real home he’d ever had.
But that was before.
He rapped lightly on the door. A few moments later the door opened and Robert narrowed his eyes on him. The circles under his eyes looked darker. “You’re here for Alex.”
“Yes,” Chase said. “We’re spending the day together.”
“I see.” Robert stood aside for him to enter, saying, “Good morning.”
“Good mo
rning,” Chase said as he stepped inside. He shook Robert’s hand. “What’s up?”
“Just having breakfast. Want some?” He gestured toward the stove and then coughed into the crook of his arm. “We’ve got scrambled tofu this morning. There’s plenty to go around.”
“No, I’m good, thanks.”
“I hear Kara is giving you a run for your money. Any second thoughts on taking her in?” Robert asked.
“No, though I can’t leave her alone. She almost brought the house down the last time I did that.”
“She had a little party while you were out of town?”
“Little doesn’t begin to describe it.”
Robert chuckled softly. “I thought you might be biting off more than you could chew with that one.”
Chase shook his head. “She didn’t mean for it to happen. Things got out of control. You remember how it is. High school.”
“Honestly,” Robert said, “I think it’s a good thing you’re doing with your sister. I wish you luck.”
“Thanks,” Chase said. “Where’s Alex? Is she ready?”
Robert’s eyebrows arched. He coughed again, before he could answer. “She heard your car and ran upstairs. Said to tell you she’d be down in a little bit. I’m sure she’s primping for you.”
“Really?” Chase smiled. “That’s nice to know.”
“I knew you were still into her.”
Chase shrugged. “I wasn’t the one who left.”
Robert gripped his shoulder. “I don’t know what to tell you. She holds on to stuff.”
“But she’s here. You and your dad needed her and she came.”
“That doesn’t mean she’s forgiven and forgotten. Even in light of the blood typing results, she’s still here more because of a sense of obligation than anything else.” He gestured wide with his hands. “She’s taking this day with you, so she can clear her head. That’s code for get away from the rest of us. There’s still a bit of friction around here.”
“I don’t think that’s entirely true that she’s only here because she feels obligated, Robert,” Chase said. “She cares about you.”
He shrugged. “Maybe, but we’re not best buds or anything. She’s still sore at Dad and sore at me for standing by him.” He gestured to Chase. “And you’re in that same boat.”