“Here, let me help you.” Tossing the towel into the sink, he draped an arm around my waist and lifted me off the counter, setting me on the floor.
“Thanks.” I glanced at the television. “There’s only five minutes left in the game. The guys will be home soon.” I grabbed my clothes from the floor and sauntered toward the hallway bathroom. “Be right back.”
“Okay.” Eli slipped his briefs up his legs and dove under the sink, coming back up with a spray bottle of cleaner.
With a snicker, I ducked into the bathroom.
The next morning,I sat at my dinette eating oatmeal, mulling over my phone call with Dad. It was time my mother knew what an ass he’d been to me. If she knew the truth, maybe she could give me guidance about dealing with him. I glanced toward the bedrooms. Grace wasn’t up yet, and we didn’t have practice until this afternoon. I held my phone up and called Mom.
The phone rang once. “Wren? Is everything okay? It’s early.”
“Oh, sorry.” Shit, maybe I should have waited. But I’d be too busy later. I pushed oatmeal around in my bowl with my spoon. “It’s okay, I just had news about Dad.”
“You do?” she asked.
“Yes.” I heaved a sigh. How would she take this? “Did you know Dad tried to buy more property and Aunt Nadine blocked it?”
“No, I didn’t.” She breathed in deeply. “How do you know that? Did you call your aunt?”
“No, Dad phoned me last night. He was pretty pissed about it. He’s blaming meandyou.” Shit, I should tell her about thetherapy. “I had lunch with him a few weeks ago, and it was unpleasant.” My stomach tensed. “Mom, I started therapy.”
“You did? Oh no, why didn’t you tell me sooner about the lunch? Was it that bad?”
“It…he’s accusing me of wanting his money.” My gut tied in a knot. “All I wanted was to ask about the trust and find out if he would change it with the new baby.” I glared at my oatmeal. I wasn’t hungry anymore. “He accused you of putting me up to it.” Shit, I hated telling her this, but I had to.
“Of course he did. The man is so incensed that I’d have anything after our divorce.” She harrumphed. “I hope you told him I don’t care about his damn money.”
“I tried. The message failed, judging by the phone call last night.” Pushing my bowl away, I propped my elbow on the table and my cheek in my hand. “I’m baffled by him.”
“What does your therapist say?” she asked.
“She’s given me ways of coping with his behavior and taught me to demand he treat me with respect. But it’s still early. I’ve seen her only maybe four times.” I’d have to take whatever information Mom gave me to the therapist.
“Well, I’m glad you’re seeing someone. He’s a tough man to deal with.” She sighed. “I’m sorry, honey. I wish I could have given you an emotionally available father. He wasn’t like this when I met him, I swear.”
“Mom, it’s not your fault.” I drew a deep inhale. “Just…should I call him and try to reason with him?”
“You can try, but I’d give it some time. He used to come to his senses after a few days and apologize when he’d been an ass.”
“Yeah.” I doubted he was still that way. The only reason he’d called after our tense lunch was to chew me out. I skimmed a finger along the table in a circle. “Should I apologize?”
“For what? You did nothing wrong. He’s the one keeping secrets and trying to funnel money to his new wife without addressing his sister.”
“Yes, but with him so close, it’s…it’s harder.” I squeezed my eyes shut for a beat and swallowed hard. “When he lived far away, it was easier to forget about him.” Now, if I had to drive into Scottsdale, he’d be all I’d think about.
“Discuss it with your therapist. But let her know I suspect he’s a bit of a narcissist. I don’t know if anyone diagnosed him, but he certainly seems like that to me.”
“Really?” Fuck, that was bad, wasn’t it? I’d have to talk to Eli about it later.
“When is your next therapy appointment?” she asked.
“Not until after Thanksgiving. She was booked.” I freed a soft chuckle. “I guess a lot of students need therapy before they go home for the holidays.”
A sharp laugh erupted from her. “Yeah? That’s not much of a surprise.”
“Right?” A grin crept across my mouth. I wasn’t sure I would get any more information from her. “Mom, I need to head to class now.”
“Okay, enjoy your day and try not to dwell too much on your father. He’s not worth it,” she said.
