"He can't afford counseling."
"There are free or reduced price options. I could help him find something if he's interested."
"I think he'd definitely be interested, but not until we find his brother. That's all Dean can think about right now."
"Want the last one?" Eve asks, handing me a taco. "I can't eat any more."
I take it from her.
Rick gets up. "I'll be in my office. You girls have fun. Let me know if you need anything."
"Gas money?" Eve says.
"I thought you got a job."
"I did, but I don't get paid until Friday. Brook doesn't have a car. I have to drive her home and my car is empty."
He sighs as he gets his wallet out. He hands her a couple twenties. "Be home before midnight."
"Yes, Daddy," she says, smiling at him.
"Good luck with everything," he says to me. "Let me know when you want to find a counselor. Eve can give you my info."
"Okay, thanks."
When he's gone, Eve gets up from the floor and joins me on the couch. "Want to watch a movie?"
"Sure." I finish my taco as she flips through the channels. Her dad's TV is huge. It takes up half the room. "Does your dad have a girlfriend?"
"Not that I know of. Why?"
"He's good looking. I'm surprised he isn't dating someone."
She looks at me in horror. "Did you just say you think my dad's hot?"
"Not hot, but good-looking for someone his age. He's a lot better looking than the guy my mom's dating. If it wasn't weird, I'd set her up with your dad."
"Uh, no, not happening. It's weird."
I laugh. "Okay, I won't." I smile. "But if I did, and they got married, we'd be sisters. Wouldn't that be fun?"
"No!" she says, pushing me away. "Stop talking about my dad dating. It's bad enough watching my mom date."
"I had to watch my dad getmarried, to someone not much older than me. That's way worse."
"Yeah, that would suck." She turns to me. "Did you tell your dad you're not going to Haverhill?"
"Not yet. I'll call him tomorrow. He'll be mad, but at least I have my mom on my side."
We find a movie to watch, and by ten, I'm falling asleep on the couch. It's been a long stressful week and I'm exhausted. Eve takes me home around eleven and I go straight to bed. For the first time all week, I fall asleep right away, and stay asleep all night.
When I wake up, my phone is full of texts from Dean, telling me he loves me and asking if I'll come see him today. I text back that I'll be there. I just don't know when. I have to find a ride.
"Mom?" I say, knocking on her bedroom door.
She doesn't answer. I open the door. She's not there.
When I get to the kitchen, she's not there either. I hope she didn't stay with that guy last night.
