“Are you okay?” I asked, as soon as I picked up. I glanced up and saw Ben had moved closer to me. He looked worried.
My sister sounded desperate. “It’s Dad. He’s here. He’s drunk and he’s causing a scene. The landlord said they’re going to call the cops and kick us all out if he doesn’t leave.”
A scene. That was a euphemism. I knew what “a scene” was. There would be yelling, swearing, throwing of things, maybe even some hitting. “I’m coming there now.” I hung up and ran to the bedroom to change into my clothes.
Ben followed behind me and started changing too.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“I’m coming with you.”
“No, you’re not.”
“Why not?” he seemed genuinely confused.
“Um . . . because this ismyfamily. It has nothing to do with you.”
“We’re in a relationship now, Sera.” He tried to move closer to me and I instinctively took a step back.
“So?”
“So?” He sounded angry. “Couples help each other. We’re a team. Team Ben and Sera.” He ended that with a small smile.
I imagined his words splashed across the front of another Hallmark card, but I was still unmoved. It was one thing telling him about my family, but it was another thing altogether for him to witness their chaos and destruction first hand. But Ben persisted.
“Besides,” he said firmly, “I’m not letting you go driving around in the middle of the night alone. It’s not safe.”
He had a point. “Fine,” I said. “But you’re waiting in the car.”
64. Trust Me
By the time we got there, the situation was already explosive. I couldn’t see them at first, but I could hear them screaming at each other. We parked the car and I immediately saw Ben’s hand reach for the door handle.
“Stay in the car, Ben. Please.” I couldn’t hide the desperation in my voice.
Ben simply nodded, reached over and took my hand. “You know where I am if you need me.” I nodded at him and climbed out the car.
My sister ran up to me immediately. “Dad rocked up about an hour ago,” she said. “He’s begging Mom for money. She doesn’t have any, so he’s screaming at her and the landlord—”
At the mention of his name, the angry landlord walked up to us, fuming. “If you don’t get that man off this property in five minutes, I’m calling the cops.” I glanced over at his house, which was only a few meters away from the cottage my mom and sister stayed in, and saw his wife and kids peering through the windows. They looked frightened. I didn’t blame them. My dad wasn’t the kind of guy you wanted coming onto your property at three in the morning. Especially when he was drunk and wanting money.
“I’m so sorry. I promise I’ll sort it out.”
“This is the fourth time this has happened!” His face was now red with rage.
“I know. It won’t happen again, I swear. I’ll get rid of him.”
The landlord shook his head and looked down at me with something resembling pity. “I like you and your sister,” he said, “and you always pay the rent on time, but I’m sorry. I can’t have you living on the property anymore. I have a family. Kids.” He looked over at his window. “They don’t need to see this.”
I nodded. I didn’t blame him for feeling this way. “I understand. Again, I’m sorry.”
Katie looked at me with sheer panic and, as always, I was overcome with a desperate need to make her feel better. “It’s okay,” I said. “I’ll make a plan. Start packing your things and I’ll deal with Mom and Dad.”
We walked towards the cottage, and as I got closer I could see two figures silhouetted against the curtains. They were swinging their arms around wildly, and I heard words pouring out of their mouths that no two people should ever say to each other.
The second I got inside, my dad pounced. “Sera. Sera.” He reeked of alcohol. His shirt was creased and stained with coffee, and he was barefoot and bleeding, as if he’d walked through a thorn bush.
“I’ve figured it out. I know how to beat the system. It’s all in this formula I’ve worked out. I swear. It’s a sure thing. We’ll be rich. I swear.” His voice quivered, high pitched and desperate.
