“That’s good because you’re gonna have to keep dancin’,” Dad said.
The air in the room felt suffocating as I stared at Dad in utter disbelief. My eyes slid to the side, and I could practically see the anger rolling off Punc.
“Savannah, I’m losin’ patience,” he said through clenched teeth.
I put my hands on my hips and shifted my focus to Dad. “I can’t believe you’re okay with one of your daughters dancing, but the worst part is that if don’t I pay up then Frank’s gonna send people here -to the house. He expected some of his clients would especially like my virgin sister.”
“How about you calm down and take a breath, Savannah,” Dad suggested.
“I don’t need to take a breath, Dad. I need answers. Why did Mom take out this loan? Did you have anything to do with it? My gut tells me you’re at the center of this. Especially after we found those boxes in the garage. Mom doesn’t strike me as a collector of dolls, backpacks, or water tumblers.”
“Listen, sweetheart, just give Frank the insurance money and it’ll all be over.”
“No,” Punc said, sidling up to Dad.
Dad glanced up at him. “I don’t know who you are, but this doesn’t concern you.”
“That’s Ted, Alanis’s older brother.”
Dad turned his gaze back to me. “Whatever, it still doesn’t concern him.”
“I’m her man, so itismy concern, Doug. Frank isn’t getting another dime out of her. Now answer her questions.”
Dad tilted his head and looked back to Punc. “She has to pay. Beth should have been good for the money. She told me she was.”
“Which means the money was for you,” I guessed.
“I was gonna be able to triple her money. And she told me there was money set aside,” Dad said.
I nodded. “Most of that money went toward her hospital bills and funeral costs, Dad.”
“Why the hell did you pay the hospital?” Dad asked.
“Why did you get Mom to take out this loan?” I demanded.
Dad put his hand to the base of his neck and turned his head to the side and down, staring at the floor. “You’re gonna have to sell the house.”
I barked out a laugh. “She’s got a second mortgage, Dad. I’d end up owing the bank money assuming we get top dollar, whichisn’ta given.”
“Where’s the insurance money?” Dad asked.
“Get out,” Punc said.
Dad’s head reared back. “You can’t throw me out.”
“Answer her fuckin’ questions or get out. Why did your ex-wife take out a loan with Frank?”
For a moment, Dad glowered at Punc, then hung his head and wouldn’t look me in the eye. “I needed the money.”
The house went still as we waited for Dad to say something else.
“That’s obvious. What did you need the moneyfor, Doug?” Punc asked.
Dad looked to him. “This guy came to me. Had a helluva good opportunity, but it required capital.”
“Oh boy,” I muttered under my breath.
Not only had I heard that before, but so had Mom.
