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“Yeah? You wrote and performed the songs?”
“You would have no deal without me.”
“Maybe not.”
The admission catches him off guard. But I am not going to pretend Danny never helped us. He did. That is what made it so easy to let him keep helping long after we should have stopped him.
“Jesus Christ. Is this about the fucking girl? And the fucking song? Fine, you win. I’ll renegotiate so it’s the new version.”
“Her name is Bea. And no, I’m firing you because you leaked something we trusted you with.”
“I think you need to grow up. This is the business. Sometimes something private becomes useful. Sometimes the timing isn’t perfect. But the numbers went vertical, Apex moved the meeting, and now you have an album. You should be thanking me. I did what was best for Atlas Falling.”
“Yeah, well, you didn’t ask Atlas Falling.”
“I am your manager. It is my job to make decisions.”
“No, it was your job to advise us. You got confused. You’re done, Danny. Do not contact Apex on our behalf again. Harrison will be sending over our new manager’s details. Anything outstanding goes through her.”
“You have lost your fucking mind.”
“Goodbye, Danny.”
I end the call.
The group chat lights up when I say it’s done.
I put the phone down.
* * *
Mabel’s assessment, at least, is paid. After the hospital, she let Mom come back the next day. Then again, the day after that. By the time I got to see Mabel again, Catherine Fox had appointed herself transport coordinator and medication organizer.
Apparently, sixteen years gives two people a lot to discuss.
Mabel told Mom about the condo herself. The assessment, the Trust, the money I’d been trying to find.
Mom came to my apartment that evening.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked.
“It wasn’t mine to tell.”
“The financial burden was. She is my sister, and you’re my son. I should be looking after both of you.” Her face looked pained.
“I had it handled.”
She gave me the same look she used when I was fourteen and insisted the red around my eyes were allergies and 100% not pot.
Mom transferred the full assessment the following morning. I tried to refuse it. She told me I was twenty-three, Mabel was her sister, and protecting everybody in the family was not a job I had been appointed to perform alone. I like this change in her. She’s kinda a badass now.
Mabel called the payment an outrageous interference. Then she invited Mom over for tea.
We’re getting a new manager. Hopefully a better one, and the deal should still go through with Apex. Mabel is fine. Yet, my stomach still feels like someone carved the middle out of it.
My notebook is in the bedroom drawer.
I haven’t opened it in a week.
