Page 183 of Terms Of Un-Endearment
I let what they’ve said sink in. My sister and my friends are here to help. Usually, I’m the one rushing to their rescue when I think they’re in trouble. Being on the receiving end of help is new for me. I’m uncomfortable, but as I’ve spent most of the day in that space, I take a seat next to Frankie, ready to listen.
“Where are you going, Piper?” Frankie asks.
I look around Dex and Britta who are still standing, surprised to see Piper walking toward the stairs.
“I didn’t think it was my place to be here,” she says hesitantly.
“Of course, it’s your place. We need you!” Stella scoots over and pats the space next to her on the couch.
Piper smiles and walks back, taking the spot Stella has created for her. Which happens to be right next to me. So close our shoulders touch, and I’m not sure how I can solve any problems when I’m transfixed by the smell of her lemon verbena scent floating around her.
“Okay, so everyone is up to speed, our father…” Frankie points to herself then me. “Has threatened to cut off Archie’s allowance if he doesn’t return to Brisbane. Unstated, but strongly implied in his threat, is that he’ll also make it impossible for Archie to access the trust fund with all of his ‘Surf City’ earnings.”
Stella leans forward to look at Frankie and me. “No offense, but your dad sounds like kind of a jerk.”
“That’s putting it mildly,” Frankie answers at the same time I say, “He hasn’t always been.”
Piper nods, but I’m not sure which of us she agrees with.
“So, what are your options, Arch?” Britta asks.
“Option one,” Frankie answers for me. “Fight our dad for this house, win, then sell the house and start Bombora.”
Piper tenses.
“Option two,” I pop in. “Go back to Aus and work for Dad.” I scratch the back of my neck. Honestly, though I know it feels spineless, that one makes the most sense. “I play out his plan until I come into the trust, then make Bombora happen.”
“Don’t make that an option, Archie,” Frankie pleads. “You won’t be happy.”
“With my trust fund, I can support both of us, Frankie. You won’t have to keep living in the middle of nowhere, working at a crap diner, and I’ll still get to pursue my own dream. I’ll just put it off for a few years.”
“I like working at a crap diner in the middle of nowhere.”
I shake my head. “For now. You won’t forever.”
Frankie shifts away from me. “I don’t need you playing Dad, Arch, telling me what I want.”
I pause long enough to take in what she’s said. “Right. Sorry. I reckon I don’t want you cheated out of what’s rightfully yours, even if it means sharing what’s mine.” I squeeze her hand to keep her from arguing further.
“And you gain control of your trust when you’re thirty?” Dex asks.
I nod.
He considers this, then quietly says, “It’s only two years. Once you have your own money, you come back here and do what you want with your life.”
I tip my head, Dex seeing the possibility makes it that much more real. Two years isn’t that long. But it's also forever.
“What are you doing, Dex?” Frankie throws up her hands. “We’re trying to keep Archie here; not find ways for him to do what Dad wants.”
Dex fidgets in his seat and looks at me. “I don’t want you to go, mate, but I get how important your relationship with your dad is. That’s on the line right now, but you’ll always have the people in this room by your side, no matter where you are. Like I said before, we want whatever it is you want.” He looks at Frankie. “It’s your life to choose, Archie.”
I scan the room. Everyone nods. Even Piper.
Frankie, though, shakes her head. “Dad won’t let you leave. You go back, you’ll be stuck there, working for him.”
I open my mouth to disagree, even though I reckon she’s more right than wrong, but Piper speaks first.
“Frankie’s right,” she says, softly. “You won’t be able to come back. You’ll have lost your chance to do what you really want.”
