Page 8 of A Family Affair: The Vow
Josh crossed his arms over his chest, stared at the uneaten sub. “Yeah, I know, but it’s not that easy.”
“So, your savings plan isn’t going the way you thought it would?” For a person who didn’t pay rent or utilities and made a decent wage, Josh should have money in the bank. He’d even vowed he would because he wanted to live on his own so he could make his own rules. Yeah, what he really wanted was to live in his grandparents’ house with his girlfriend and have his mother move out andstillpay the bills. Nice plan, but probably not going to happen, and with Rae in town, the sleepovers were done, too.
“I have a little, but not as much as I’d like.” He scratched his stubbled jaw, dragged his gaze to Vic. “I told my mom I didn’t need Rae to come here, but you know how she is. Then I figured if she had to be here, at least we could hang out, order pizza and chill. She was so cool the last time she visited, but now she’s just a—”
“Hey. That’s your aunt you’re talking about.”
Big sigh. “I’m miserable. This whole situation is miserable. Hannah says she’s not coming over again until Rae leaves. She’s still ticked at how Rae disrespected her, said she expects an apology. Don’t you think she should get one?”
Josh was a good kid but he had a lot of growing up to do, starting with how he needed to take responsibility for his actions. Vic eased back in his chair, crossed his arms over his chest. “Here’s what I think. You don’t own the house so you don’t get to make the rules. Your mom and grandparents asked Rae to come back here, help out with the businessandyou.”
“I don’t need help.” Big frown and a snarl.
“Don’t you? Did you trash the house? I haven’t been there in a while but let me see if I can guess. Pizza boxes, overflowing trash, dishes stacked on the counter, in the sink, on the tables.” Pause and a curious “How am I doing?”
“Okay, so the house might have been a mess, but that doesn’t mean I need a babysitter.”
“If it’s this bad now, what’s it going to look like by the time your mom gets home in another few months? Will the dishes and pots be crusted with gunk? Maybe you’ll have to replace the stuff. And what about the laundry? How many heaps of T-shirts, socks, and underwear are in the laundry room? Or just thrown all over the house?” Vic homed in on Josh, said in a stern voice, “Don’t try to tell me you’ve cleaned the bathroom since your mom left, and I’ll bet that’s not a pleasant visual. You had days to get the place in shape before Rae got here.”
A shrug, a puny “I didn’t think it was that bad.”
He couldn’t quite meet Vic’s gaze, which told him the place was trashed. “Get it cleaned up, and don’t give your aunt a hard time. I doubt she wants to be here anymore than you want her here, but right now this isn’t about either one of you. It’s about your mother.”
No comment for several seconds and then “I know. Fine. I’ll clean it up.”
“Josh, look at me.” The boy dragged his gaze to Vic’s, his dark eyes bright. “This is about doing the right thing. You know that and your aunt shouldn’t have to remind you and neither should I.” If Leah and her parents had spent more time setting expectations for Josh instead of letting guilt seep into their lives, the boy would have a better understanding of what responsibility and doing the right thing looked like. “Understand?”
A nod, a resigned “Yeah. I’ll get started after work.”
“Let me know when you’re done.”
Another nod, before he checked the clock on the wall. “Crap, I’ve only got six minutes left before the buzzer.” He tore open the sub wrapper, clamped both hands around the Italian sub and dove into it.
“Better eat fast.” Vic pulled the container of chocolate chip cookies Miriam Desantro had made him from a drawer, set them on the edge of his desk. “Take a few for break and let’s not have this conversation again.”
* * *
How hadeverything gone so wrong so fast? It hadn’t even been twenty-four hours! Where was the control, the plan, the civility she’d once embraced? All she felt now was confusion, aggravation, and downright anger.
She was not a mother, did not want to be a mother to a twenty-two-year-old “child”, and she definitely did not want to be a babysitter, and yet here she was, thrust into that role out of necessity. In Virginia, she wasn’t responsible for anyone but herself, and she didn’t have to rely on anyone,butherself.
Well, that last one might not be quite true because she’d relied on co-workers, the cleaning lady, and Richard. He’d turned out to be the biggest disappointment of all. She’d believed she could count on him, that he’d provide solid support and assurances during stressful times. What she’d never realized was thatshewas the one providing support and assurances. Richard was selfish, needy, and incapable of considering anyone but himself. How had she gotten it so wrong? All she could do now waspretend:life was good, the job was stellar, her future secure. And the boyfriend? The best.
Except there was no employer, not anymore, and the future looked murky and uncertain. As for Richard, if someone asked about the man she’d been with for over three years? She’d have to act as if they couldn’t live without one another. Ugh, another lie, but how could she admit to a failed careeranda failed relationship, all in the span of a few weeks? Better to pretendaroundthe truth than to lay it all out and let the town formulate opinions and conclusions, maybe even offer suggestions for a replacement. No and no. Rae was here to do a job and that job was to keep the business going until Leah returned and Rae could head home—to Virginia. Magdalena wasnother home, hadn’t been in a very long time. Plus, she had to keep an eye on her nephew, which was going to be more of a challenge than learning to run Darlington Metals.
She did have another goal, though this one could prove a bit more difficult. Avoid Vic Tramont as much as possible. There was no pretending she’d never have to see him because the man worked at ND Manufacturing and she needed Nate’s help. Still, it wasn’t like she’d be required to spend time with him. Maybe they’d pass on the street or spot each other in the factory, but mostly she hoped they could avoid one another. Sure, why not? Rae bet her old paycheck he didn’t want to run into her either. If she were lucky, she might get out of town without ever having a full conversation with the man.
Unfortunately, that hope disintegrated the next afternoon when she called ND Manufacturing in search of Nate. “Nate Desantro, please.”
“I’m sorry he’s not in at the moment.” Curiosity smothered the line, spilled in the receptionist’s next question. “Is there a message?”
“Yes, this is Rachel Darlington. My sister, Leah, runs Darlington Metals and I’m in town to help out.” The rush of air on the other end of the line told her the woman knew about Leah’s accident.
“Oh, dear me. I am so very sorry to hear about your sweet sister. We just think the world of her. So talented, so kind, helpful to everyone. When you talk to her, would you please tell her Betty Rafferty asked after her and when she makes her way back here, I plan to fix her chicken paprikash—her favorite.”
Chicken paprikash was Leah’s favorite?What had happened to pepperoni pizza? “Yes, of course, but she’ll be in Florida for a while.”
“Indeed, she will. Too many injuries to fix in a few weeks. No worries. Therapy and your mother’s homestyle cooking will bring that girl around.” The woman named Betty chatted on and on about what constituted healing food. “Chicken noodle soup with dumplings, meatloaf and mashed potatoes...”
