Page 93 of Holding on to Chaos
She found Agnes sneering atThe Weekly Monthly Moonat the far end of the dining table. She was dressed in a ratty off-the-shoulder sweater. Her denim-clad leg was jiggling, fingers were tapping a distracting beat on the hardwood. The rest of the guests seemed to pick up on the unfriendly vibe and hovered around the opposite end of the massive table.
Eva flashed an apologetic smile at them and took the chair next to her mother.
“About damn time,” Agnes rasped without looking at her. “You bring my money?”
“Why don’t we talk about this somewhere more private?” Eva suggested.
“What? You don’t want an audience,” Agnes sneered in the direction of the guests at the other end of the table. They studiously avoided eye contact, and Eden cheerfully distracted them by launching into the day’s weather report.
Eva rolled her eyes at Agnes and rose. “You know what? I don’t have time for this today. Or ever.” She grabbed a biscuit off the platter, hefted it in her palm. “I’m going to go talk to Eden about settling your bill, and then you can hit the road.” She headed for the door.
Damn if it didn’t feel good to be the one walking away for once. She took a victorious bite of the biscuit. It was hot and flaky on her tongue.
She made it as far as the front desk.
“That’s quite a mansion Emmaline got for herself,” she said casually. “Looks like she’s done well for herself,” Agnes said casually from behind her.
Eva said nothing. Usually, a vague threat like that would have her jumping for her checkbook. But not this time.
Agnes’s eyes narrowed. “I’m thinking about hanging around here. There’s this little yoga place in town. Maybe I should drop in?” Agnes let the comment hang there.
Eva casually took a bite of biscuit. “So, you’re into yoga now? Better than prescription drugs, I guess.”
The woman that gave her life scowled at Eva. “I saw that fancy husband of Gianna’s walking the kids to school. Maybe they’d like a visit from Grandma?” Her smile was mirthless. “They look like they got money.”
Eva laughed, a short sharp bark.
The woman didn’t even know the names of her grandchildren. Had no idea how many she had. To Eva’s way of thinking, it was a good thing. Those kids didn’t need to be tainted by this woman ever calling their name on the street, laying any sort of claim on them.
“Oh really?” she asked coolly. “What exactly are you going to do? Demand their lunch money? Because I don’t think Gianna raised any pushovers.”
Agnes gave a sullen shrug. “I’m family. Families take care of each other.”
Eva saw it clearly for the first time, in the moment. Agnes knew what her buttons were. Family. Responsibility. Guilt. Well, her mother wasn’t the only one who could push.
“You know,Mom. I couldn’t agree more,” Eva smiled sweetly, even though the word stuck in her throat. “That’s why instead of enabling you with another ten grand, I decided to do something even better.”
“Where’s my money?” Agnes demanded.
“Oh, you’ll get it. But this time you’re going to earn it.” Eva smiled sweetly, almost enjoying herself. Growing a pair felt pretty damn amazing after a lifetime of guilt-ridden people pleasing.
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Agnes spat out the words.
“Well, family takes care of each other. So when I told Grandma and Grandpa that you were in trouble and needed help, well they drove straight down from Connecticut. We’ve lined up a sixty-day stay in rehab for you. Once you complete that and pass a weekly drug test for six months in a halfway house, then we’ll put you up in an apartment here in town. Maybe you can work part-time at Dad’s restaurant or with Emma? You’ll be surrounded by family, clean and sober, and enjoying your grandchildren.”
“I want my money!”
“You’ll get it as an investment in your healthy future,” Eva chirped. “We’ll cover rehab and your costs in the half-way house afterward. We’ll even help with the security deposit for your apartment. You’ll finally be part of the family again, a productive member of society.”
Agnes reached out, quick as a flash, gripping Eva’s wrist. “Just give me the money, and I’m gone. I won’t come back. Out of your life forever.”
“Oh, but Mom. We’refamily,” Eva replied. “We’re going to get you the help you need. So, let’s get in my car, and we’ll drive to Dad and Phoebe’s. She’s really looking forward to meeting you by the way. Grandma and Grandpa are waiting. Let’s go.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you! I want my money!” Agnes howled. Her nails dug into Eva’s wrist.
Eva used the woman’s grip on her to start dragging her toward the door. “Now, I know a life of sobriety sounds pretty scary,” she said conversationally. “But I think you’ll find in the end it’s so rewarding.”
Agnes released her grip and took a step backward. “I want my money, and you’re going to regret it if you don’t give it to me.”
