Page 34 of The Summer Request
She turned to face the sea, seagulls squawking overhead. “Hello?”
“Hey, Mom. It’s me.”
“Hi Sierra! How are you?”
“I’m good. How’s your trip?”
“It’s wonderful.” Lisa let out a long breath. The view really was incredible here. That was probably what Justine liked most. “I need to send you a picture of the beach I’m on now. Did you get my pictures from this morning?”
“Yeah, it looks fancy. You should start an Instagram account for your travels.”
“Yeah right, just what I need. How’d your review go?”
Sierra let out a sigh. “My boss pushed it back until next week. Which is fine, because now I’ll have more time to build my case for a promotion.”
“Well that’s a good attitude.” Lisa smiled to herself. Her daughter was much more of a go-getter than she ever was.
Lisa had no idea where she’d gotten it. Sierra just came out that way. She was bold, confident, andsostubborn, even from a young age. It served her well now, though it had caused years of battles between them in her teenage years.
“Yeah. Um…is everything okay with Dad?”
Lisa’s stomach tightened. She always kept the kids out of their father’s troubles. “Of course. Why?”
“He called me and was acting strange.”
Ugh. “Oh? Strange how?”
“For starters, he made it sound like your credit card got canceled and you wouldn’t be able to get back from LA unless I sent money over.”
Lisa shut her eyes, forcing her voice to sound carefree and light. “What? Oh, he’s such a panicker. Just regular credit card stuff. You know how it is when you travel. I’m fine. We don’t need your money, sweetie! Don’t take him seriously.”
“I never do,” Sierra said with a laugh. “Okay, well, I’m glad you’re having fun. I’ve got to go. Talk to you later!”
“Love you!”
“Love you too!”
She’d lost sight of Val and Michelle. Lisa cast one last look at the water before catching up to them.
“Everything okay?” Michelle asked.
“Oh, yeah, that was Sierra. I actually need to call Neil, if you don’t mind waiting?”
Val nodded. “We’ll be in the car. I need some alone time with Michelle to convince her anyway.”
“Ah, yes, good.” Lisa nodded. “I’ll be right there.”
Once they were out of earshot, Lisa called Neil once, then a second time.
The first time it rang for a while before going to voicemail. The second time, it went straight to voicemail.
He was ignoring her. Typical.
What was he thinking, trying to get money from his own child? That was a new low.
Neil had a history of lows, though. His gambling addiction had cost them a lot over the years – apartments, the only new car they’d ever laid their hands on, even Lisa’s engagement ring. Most recently, Neil’s addiction had cost Lisa her job.
What a mess that had been. She couldn’t even think about it, it was so embarrassing. She’d been an accountant at the firm for nineteen years. They loved her, and she loved them. They trusted her with everything, all of the accounts, even giving her control over the slush fund.
