Page 19 of A Boy is a Gun: Part I
We go to Gary Danko and are immediately served in a private room. I purposely chose a private room because I didn’t trust my reaction to Jamie’s attitude, and I didn’t want to make a scene. I’m generally a private person, but this is an exceptional circumstance. I feel Jamie is about to lay a hammer on me, and I won’t be prepared for it.
After our five-course dinner, we played nice with each other, and it was just us with a half-eaten dessert. The tension is crackling, and I’m already bored with the anticipation. Jamie purposely didn’t tell me why we had to meet in person and like this, but she’s about to real soon.
“So, what’s up?” I lean back in my seat. “You avoided me for a whole year, and now you have all the time in the world for your big bro?”
Jamie takes another bite of the crème brulee trio and sets the spoon down. “I already talked to Mom and Dad about this, but I haven’t said anything to you and Bobby.” Jamie pushes a lock of hair behind her ear. “I’m moving back to Buckhead, and I’m moving soon, like this week.”
My eyebrows raise in surprise. Jamie barely visits, and I always thought it was because of the obvious. Now, she’ll be moving back in the middle of a tense mid-election year, and I wonder what in the blue hell?
“There are only two reasons why a person moves back home – either family or love,” I look over the wine glass, “no one moves back home because the job market is better.” I meet her eyes and see the guilt forming within them. “So, that either means you and the parentals kissed and made up, or there’s someone you’re serious about.”
Jamie takes another sip of wine and sighs. “I met someone, and it’s serious,” she tells me with a hint of reluctance. I get the feeling she didn’t want to reveal it, but she had no choice – I was going to find out one way or another.
Now, I’m not that overprotective brother who has to know whom my sister is sleeping with. That’s gross, and it’s truly none of my business. Jamie’s hesitation is different, however. This isn’t a simple ‘I fell in love and fuck what you think’ type of discussion.
This is someone I feel no one in the family will care for. “Oh?” I ask.
“You know him. You and everyone in Atlanta know him.” It’s like pulling teeth out of this woman. “It’s Ethan Underwood.”
I could only chuckle at this point. The interaction between my father and Ethan the other day makes more sense. Dad knew Ethan was dating Jamie and politely told him that if he was joining the family, he better start turning a blind eye to many things.
Jamie intentionally dating my opposition neither shocks nor disgusts me. Que showed me intel that Jamie and Ethan may have been involved with being caught in 4K photographs. Jamie has made a lot of visits to Buckhead over the year, and she’s always stayed at Ethan’s home.
She’s not wearing a ring, but I know it’s coming. A prominent Southern wedding is on the menu despite how much Jamie wouldn’t want it. The guest list will be comprised of both Congress and Atlanta P.D. with a little bit of the social media influencers.
I know better. I have nothing against my sister being in love, and I’m happy she’s found someone. It would also be asinine of me to think either her or Ethan’s intentions with their relationship are pure.
Jamie is telling me all this doesn’t mean shit; she’s helping Ethan take down our family one by one. Is she making amends with our parents? Maybe. Is she doing this as the most giantfuck youof all time? Definitely.
“Well?” She asks as I remain silent. “Aren’t you going to say anything?”
“Congrats,” my voice is flat. Not sure what she thought I was going to say. It took a lot for me to say that much.
She’s silent for a long while before she speaks again. “Wow,” she sips her wine and shakes her head, “I thought you would be happier than that. Shame on me.”
“I’m happy you found someone. There, I said it.” I swallow. “I’m not sure what else you want me to say. You know what happened on the day of Mia’s birth, but that didn’t stop you from being with him.” I shrug. “So, congrats to you both.”
“Oh, screw you, Cameron,” Jamie shakes her head at me. “You have a lot of nerve to act like I’m the reason you were arrested on your daughter’s birth.”
“I’m not blaming you for the arrest,” I counter, “I’m blaming you for choosing him over family. That’s what I’m blaming you for.”
“Fuck you, Cameron.” She leans over, and I see the anger in her eyes. “Let’s not forget what you did!”
“And what did I do?” I challenge her.
“Oh, we’re playing this game?” She removes her napkin and slams it on the table.
“Yes, we are.” I talk over her.
“Fine, I’ll bite.” She stares me down. “Let’s talk about how you brought home Dad’s mistress as your new girlfriend to dinner, Cam. Do you want to talk about that? How that woman kept making comments all night, and Mom just had to take it?
“Do you know what that did to Mom when you pulled that stunt, Cam?” Her voice is cracking, and Jamie’s on the verge of angry tears. “Mom cried forhours,Cam! You might think it was funny that you’re bringing home the same woman Dad banged in his office, but for Mom, it was much more than that. Jacqueline did something to Mom that night. She destroyed her.‘I fucked your husband and now your son, too, bitch.’” Jamie pauses and looks away. She takes a few deep breaths as she collects her thoughts. She turns back to me with fire in her eyes. “Jacquelinewantedto be Mom. She wanted her position, her power, hereverything. When Dad ended the affair, you thought Jacqueline took it quietly? No, she went for the next best thing! You!”
“You think I have no idea about any of this?” I’m trying in vain to restrain the anger, and I’m not sure I’m doing an excellent job. “I know what Jackie did. I also know how she was trying to screw measshe was screwing me. She stole money from me, and she was trying to steal property from me as well. If I didn’t stop her, she would wreak havoc until she got what she wanted. She wanted to destroy our family, Jamie. I know it’s not something you want to hear, but me sleeping with her stopped all that.”
“It didn’t stop a damn thing,” Jamie screeches and slams a fist down on the table, “all it did was give her more perceived power. She went to the same women’s group as Mom did. The same brunches. The same teas. Mom had to see her every chance Jacqueline got foryears, Cam! She threw it in Mom’s face, and there was nothing she could do about it! Sure, she told her friends, and they could only do so much before Jacqueline started fuckingtheirhusbands, and they had no choice but to allow her in.”
“Is your anger really towards me?” I ask her with a slight cock of my head. “Because it sounds like Daddy issues.”
