Page 157 of Terms Of Un-Endearment
“How was the coffee this morning? Sorry I had to run,” Britta says, wrapping Piper in a hug that Piper returns as if they’ve known each other for a lifetime.
Another wave of jealousy washes over me at how comfortable they are with each other. Pretty sure I’ve never hugged Piper in my life. Strange part is, I sort of want to now.
“The coffee was the best I’ve had, thank you so much.”
“You bet,” Britta says, then looks at me with an accusing look. “It’s the least I could do. Good coffee makes everything better.”
Piper laughs. “Facts.”
Britta introduces Stella to Piper, and she gets to hug Piper too, which seems even more unfair.
“Isn’t Frothed amazing? Did you love the vibe?” Stella asks.
“Loved it. I noticed a sign on my way out about helping to end homelessness…what’s that about?”
My attention is divided between the game and the conversation happening around me as Britta and Dex both explain how Frothed employs and trains people experiencing housing insecurity. Stella joins in to tell Piper about the agencies that Frothed partners with to get people resources they need to stay off the streets.
Piper has lots of questions about how Britta got involved with the homeless community. I’m familiar with the story, butI’m more interested in Piper’s thoughts than the thirty-two men fighting over a football. Probably because my team is losing.
“Oy, mates!” Rhys yells over his shoulder toward us—the three women talking and me lurking on the other side of the island. “Take a seat and watch the match or go somewhere else to yap.” He slides over to create more room on the couch.
“We’ve talked about this behavior, Rhys,” Stella calls back. “Remember your manners. You’re not the most important person here.”
The room breaks out into laughter. All but Rhys, whose glare only makes us laugh harder. It’s not a teasing glare, and I’m reminded how he and Stella have never quite got on. She’s as unimpressed with his celebrity as most people are impressed by it, and she doesn’t hesitate to remind him.
“You want the seat next to the beast, Piper?” Stella teases, gesturing toward the empty place next to Rhys.
Without thinking, I step between Piper and the couch, blocking her way even though she’s made no move to sit next to Rhys. “Let me make you a plate of food. You’ll love this sushi. What’s your favorite? I reckon I ordered every roll.”
Even my muddled brain picks up on the surprise on Piper’s face. But, like an idiot, I grab a plate and begin loading it.
“I said I don’t like sushi. Remember?” she asks slowly.
“Oh, yeah.” I set down the plate.
Britta sends me a questioning look while Stella smirks, as if she knows what’s going on in my head. Which is bonkers, really, ’cause all I’m thinking is it’d be nice to chat with Piper too—if Britta and Stella would give her a second to breathe.
We didn’t really get to finish our conversation this morning, and a lot has happened since then. If Dad cut her off like she said he did, she’ll understand my predicament. She’s the only person here who’s been through the same thing. She’s got the experience to talk me through it.
I insert myself between Piper and Britta and tug Piper away from Britta. “Can we chat for a second?”
She ticks her head to the side with a question and studies me before nodding once. I lead her down the hallway toward the gym. We’re almost there when she asks, “Is this about the deed?”
“Not entirely.” I shake my head as we walk into the room, and I shut the door behind us. “I’ve been wondering about what you said this morning…about Dad. He didn’t pay for any of your college?”
Her brows knit together. With a sigh, she sits on a nearby weight bench. “I gotnofinancial support. And because he monitored Mom’s spending, she wasn’t able to help me out, either.”
I rub at a knot on my neck. Now that I’ve got her alone, I’m not sure how to talk to her in a way that won’t prompt her to suit up for battle. “He told me you and Cynthia cost him tens of thousands of dollars every month.”
Piper responds with a long stare.
“I’m not saying I don’t believe you.” I put my hands up in surrender, so she knows I don’t want to fight. “I’m just trying to put all the pieces together, including why you’re so against my idea for your mum to get a cash settlement instead of this house.”
Piper grips the weight bench and takes a deep breath. “I don’t know what Malcolm spent for Mom’s expenses, only that he paid bills and invoices, and didn’t give her money to use on her own. As for me, I worked to pay my living expenses and took out student loans to pay for school.” She points in the direction of the garage. “The kind of money I owe could buy two of your Mercedes Sprinters.”
She pauses to let that sink in, then looks me square in the eye. “Malcolm didn’t give me anything, and I don’t want anythingfrom him ever again. But Idon’twant Mom left with nothing. Without this house, she will be.”
I open my mouth to defend Dad, then remember how he treated me on the phone this afternoon. He barely let me talk. He didn’t listen.
