Page 16 of Takedown

“Jason, stop,” I say to him. “I’m not going back downstairs as long as our mother is there. That would not be healthy for me, and I’m all about my mental health. You of all people should understand that.”

He holds both hands up in surrender and says, “I get that. You know I support that, but I don’t want you to feel like I’m putting you out of your home. I meant it when I asked you to come and live with me.”

Adam stands to the side, listening to every word, but thankfully doesn’t comment. I grab Jason’s hands and we both sit at the table

“I know, Jason. You don’t ever have to explain. You let me live with you and your wife, for goodness sakes. I know you meant it, okay. But I cannot share the same space as her. Listen, it’s time I move out anyway, but just not before Alex has the baby. I can afford it, and I won’t go far. I might even be able to afford a small house before this neighborhood gentrifies completely. I’ve saved a bunch of money in the past two years since I’ve lived here.”

He nods, but there’s no joy on his face. My brother is usually playful and always extremely loud. I’m not used to the somber person sitting in front of me right now.

“I have some things to tell you.” He lets out a deep breath and runs a hand over his face. Suddenly, he looks tired.

“What is it?” I ask, panicked. “Are Alex and the baby okay?’

For the first time since he got here, he smiles, and I slump in relief. “They’re fine. The news isn’t about them. It’s about Mom.”

“What about her?” I ask, waving a hand in dismissal.

Jason looks around the room and finds Adam leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. “Can we have some privacy, Flynn?”

“My apartment and my wife,” Adam says.

I flare my nostrils and look at him. Our eyes lock, and I tilt my head to the side, signaling for him to leave, but he maintains his position against the wall.

“It’s fine, Jason. Just say it,” I say, not wanting another confrontation between my brother and Adam right now.

Jason takes a resigned breath. “So, you know how she asked to stay?” I nod. “Well, it’s more of a need than a want.” I raise my eyebrows, totally confused. “She’s broke, Mellie. She needs help.”

Taken aback by his words, I stand up and look down at him. I can feel my brows furrowing as I try to make sense of what he just said.

“What do you mean she’s broke? She has a pension.” Our mother worked as a librarian for the Paramus New Jersey public schools for over thirty years until she was forced to retire due to budget cuts. “And Dad let her have the house in the divorce. She’ll be fine again when she sells it.”

“That’s the thing. The pension is all she has to live on. I don’t have all the details yet, but she lost the house. It’s gone. She has nowhere to go,” Jason says.

I shake my head at him, his words not making any sense. Our mother. The most judgmental human being ever when it comes to me has screwed up her life and is here now asking her son for a handout. I can’t help the chuckle that escapes, but I stop at just one. I’d wish her all the financial success if it meant she’d pack her bags and go back to New Jersey or where the fuck ever.

“Wow. So, she’s totally fucked. The irony isn’t lost on me here,” I say to Jason. “She can always get herself a job. She’s only fifty-eight.”

“She is. I’m going to help her. Jake’s mother knows a lot of people and serves on a lot of boards.” Jake is my brother’s best friend from college. He and his wife spend a lot of time with Jason and Alex.

“I guess that means she’s moving here for good.” I’m not blind to how selfish that sounds. I know she’s in trouble, but I still remember her reaction when I was in trouble three years ago. She made it a point to bring it up every time I saw her until I had enough and told her to shut up. Jason and my father are the ones who were there for me. I don’t believe my mother wanted anything bad to happen to me, but when the events took place, her words and reaction still hurt. Now she’s here desperate for her son’s help. I chuckle again.

Jason doesn’t answer. The exhausted look in his eyes say everything. I nod and say, “I’ll come and get the rest of my stuff tomorrow. In the meantime, I don’t want her sleeping in my room.”

He nods, and to show him I have no hard feelings, I lean in and hug him. He hugs me back, and I can feel his relief when he sags against me.

“I would never, ever put you out. I’m giving her a unit in my new building. It’s close by and it’s being renovated.”

“Yeah, but it won’t be ready until spring, possibly summer.” He sighs sadly again. “Don’t worry about me. I’m a big girl. She’s the one who needs you now.”

A sudden knock brings me to my feet. I stare at the door, and back at Adam. He nods at me and answers it.

“She went to bed early. Don’t worry about her coming up here tonight,” Jason says. “But I brought you food.” He points to the Tupperware. “Alex packed some for you too, Flynn. Told her not to bother, but she did it anyway.” Jason doesn’t look at Adam when he makes that dig.

“Yeah, thanks,” Adam says after taking a bag of food from the deliveryman. “I got it from here.” He holds the door open and gestures for Jason to get out. Jason walks over, but not through the door. He stands in front of Adam, sizing him up. Adam doesn’t flinch. In fact, I think he takes pleasure in looking down at my brother.

“I own this fucking house, Flynn, and I can’t wait to kick you out when your lease is up. Step out of line once and you’re gone.”

“Too bad I have another ten months on my lease. If you will excuse us, Dupree. I want to be alone with mywife.”

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