“He screamed at me over voicemail. I sent the messages to my attorney, and she called him back.”
I speed around an old tractor. “What did she say?”
“She was very stern with him and said if he wanted trouble, she’d be happy to make trouble. She hinted that she knew some of his illegal dealings, and he started cooperating right away.”
“You’ll be able to keep the house?”
“Because of your sister and brother, my lawyer worked it out so that I can stay in the house until we determine if I can afford the mortgage or if we need to sell it.”
I let out a relieved breath. “Where are you now, Mom?”
“I’m at Richard’s, waiting for your father to pack his things. Patrick sent his huge deputy to the house to ensure he doesn’t break things on the way out.”
“Deputy Mitchell?”
“Yes. He is frighteningly large, no?”
Good. Mitchell has a reputation for being a big softie…except when people try to hurt the innocent.
“Ah, yes. Dad won’t try anything with him.”
“I hope not, but your uncle went over there just to be sure, and now he’s on his way back. Are you coming home soon?”
“I just finished my last class.” I wince. No need to tell her I’ve somehow managed to fail community college. “I’m already in the car, only fifteen minutes away.”
“Okay, my son. I have too many nerves, so I’m making dinner to keep my hands busy.”
I let out a groan. “I’ve missed your cooking so much. I’ll be home in a bit.”
“Okay, but don’t rush! I’ll keep it hot for you.”
I smile, secretly loving that she still mothers me when she can. And even though the Geo’s three-cylinder engine really only comes to life once I hit eighty, I do as she says and obey the rules of the road.
When I pull onto my block, I smile. Even though everything is a shit show, I’m a little proud of what I’ve done with my uncle’s house.
Finishing high school while living in his guest bedroom was hard, but I appreciate how difficult it was for him to go against his brother like that.
Broken bottles of my father’s favorite beer find their way to my uncle’s driveway and yard, but Richard shakes his head and picks up the debris. I’ve told him to report my father to the sheriff, but he’d rather not stir up any additional family drama with Mom and the twins still at home.
To show my gratitude for all he’s done, I surprised him over the summer with a yard upgrade. I added some native flowers and shrubs that are thriving, even in the Texas “winter.”
I’ve almost convinced him to let me take out the rest of the grass and go all out on native species, but it’s a process. He even let me put up some tasteful Christmas lights along the roofline. It only took a little bit of light nagging.
I pull into the driveway, and my brother and sister burst out of the house. They open the car door before I even have a chance to set the brake.
“Tanner!”
The twins hug me as I exit, and their nerves are palpable.
“Hey, guys,” I say, kneeling to their level. “Mayko told me what’s happening.”
“The big deputy was at the house with Uncle Richard,” Maybelle says, laying her head on my shoulder.
Rudy tries to look unaffected, but his eyes are red.
“Deputy Mitchell and Uncle Richard just want to make sure everything is safe. It’s all going to be okay, I promise.”
“But Dad is so mad,” Maybelle says, tearing up.
