Page 72 of Takedown

“I don’t force myself on people who have made it clear they don’t want to be bothered with me. Have you ever considered that it’s not always about you? Hell, it’s not even about me. There are other people involved. People who have gotten hurt too much by your asshole father. Leave us alone.”

For the first time since he barged in here, the smug arrogance slides off his face. I don’t see contrition, but it does humanize him a little bit. He takes a step closer and pulls a card out of his pocket. He writes something on it and puts it on the coffee table.

“Believe it or not, I didn’t come here to cause trouble. We really want to know our brother. That’s it. I’m here until Sunday.” He picks up the card and points to it. “The address is there. I really hope to see you.” He puts on his coat, but he doesn’t walk to the door. He stands in front of me, and I study his face. It’s unsettling how we can look so much like our father. He stands the same way I do. He even has the same black mole beneath his left eye like me. Unable to look anymore, I avert my gaze.

“We’re a small family. I have my sister, son, and a cousin on the west coast we have no relationship with. That’s basically all our blood relatives. Whether you like it or not, whether you accept it or not, we’re your family.” He has the nerve to tap me on the shoulder on his way out the front door.

39

It takes longer than usual for Alex to open the door. As soon as she does, I walk past her and go straight to her kitchen. The only alcohol in their fridge is that fancy German beer they like to drink and a bottle of champagne. Since I can’t stand the taste of beer, I reach for the champagne. I don’t ask if they’re saving it for a special occasion before I pop it open and drink straight from the bottle.

“Where’s your mother-in-law?” I ask, lowering my voice so no one else can hear.

“She’s in her room.”

“Where’s Addy”

“She’s in the bedroom watching cartoons with Jason. What’s wrong?” She signals for me to follow. I walk behind her until she reaches the laundry room. She pulls a bunch of tiny pink clothes out of the dryer and fills a laundry basket with them. I grab the basket from her, and we return to the living room.

“Adam is a big, fat liar,” I hiss. “Turns out, I know absolutely nothing about the man I stupidly married. I bet I can get an annulment now. He’s a fraud.”

Alex holds a pink onesie in the air, seemingly frozen.

“Adam? Your Adam? What the hell are you talking about?” She raises her eyebrows to the middle of her forehead. And for a split second, I debate telling her. Her hair’s a mess and it looks like she has spitup on her shoulder. She’s in gray sweats that have clearly seen better days. There are also bags under her eyes. “Don’t stop now. What do you mean he’s a fraud?” she probes.

“He’s been keeping an entire part of his life from me. Honestly, Alex, I don’t’ know how I can ever believe a word he says. You’ll never guess what—”

My words die in my throat when the door opens and shuts. From the heavy footsteps, I know it can only be one person. They continue until they reach the kitchen. His eyes find me immediately, and even though I don’t look up and busy myself with folding tiny baby clothes, I can feel his eyes on me.

“Hey, Alex,” he says, as if this is just any other visit. “How’s little Mel?”

“Other than having her days and nights mixed up, she’s great.”

“Let’s go home, bigMel. You promised me dinner, and I’m hungry.” Before I can tell him to get lost, I hear a door open. I keep my mouth shut but breathe a sigh of relief when Jason, and not my mother, shows up.

“Hey, guys. You staying for dinner? I ordered Chinese and there’s going to be plenty.” He goes to the fridge and takes out a beer. He offers one to Adam, who surprises me by accepting it.

“Mel’s cooking,” Adam says.

“Don’t speak for me.” I don’t miss the look exchanged between Jason and Alex at my sharp retort.

“We need to talk, love, and I’d rather not do it here.” There’s an edge to his voice, one I’ve only ever heard today, and I don’t like it.

“I no longer believe a word that comes out your mouth,” I say back, my tone just as harsh.

“Mel, we’re not going to do this here in front of your brother and Alex. Stop running to Jason every damn time there’s something wrong. Your place is upstairs with me.”

Jason looks at me, takes a seat at the table, and drains his beer. He looks tired, which isn’t surprising since he was at work last night, and I know little Mel hasn’t been an easy baby so far.

“What the hell is going on now?” Jason asks. “Can’t we go five damn minutes without any drama in this family?”

“It’s between me and my wife, Dupree. Stay out of it for once,” Adam says. I can see the muscle in his cheek tic.

“I live here. If you want me to stay out of it, don’t bring it to my house,” Jason says.

“You’re absolutely right. Let’s go, big Mel.”

“Since when do I take orders from you, Adam? Never. I don’t know why you’re putting on this caveman act now, but then again, maybe that’s who you are. It’s not like I ever really knew you anyway.”

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