18. Duck Sitter #2
“Tal,” I unbuckle my seat belt and turn in my seat to look at my sister once I turn off the engine.
“It’s been an unfortunate series of events.
None of this is your fault. Our parents didn’t tell us that they were getting an additional mortgage to help pay for your school.
And if Dad hadn’t gotten hurt at work, they wouldn’t be in this position. ”
My sister loses her battle with her tears. “I know that. But they should have told us. I would have never asked them to pay for such an expensive college if I had known they were re-mortgaging the house. When I got accepted, they said they could pay the tuition if I took care of room and board.”
Talia is partially right. “True. But it isn’t just your tuition. Hockey is expensive, and even with Dad working, they were stretched really thin. This isn’t just on you.”
I’m not just saying that to make her feel better.
Our parents knew it would be hard to repay two mortgages but didn’t want to deny any of their kids the opportunity they felt they deserved.
Dad’s work injury came at a time when interest rates went up.
“They should have gotten a fixed rate loan. Their financial advisor lured them into a flexible rate at a time when interest rates were low, and now they’re sky high.
That’s made things one hundred percent worse.
They decided on a second mortgage because Dad wanted to open his own shop and we all know how hard it was when the shop went out of business.
Even if you were going to community college, they would have been in trouble. ”
Talia wipes her tears with the back of her hand. “I know, but—”
“If anything,” I insist. “It’s my fault. If there hadn’t been that mixup with my grades, I would have graduated and my signing bonus would have covered what they owed.”
Talia takes my hand in hers and squeezes it in a comforting gesture. There are only eighteen months between us, and she’s always felt almost like a twin, more than a regular sibling. I don’t have one single memory that doesn’t include my sister.
I flip our hands and hold hers in my palm.
Talia has always kept up with me head on.
She’s a force to be reckoned with, just in a much smaller package compared to me.
My hand dwarfs hers, and yet her touch makes me feel better for the first time since we set foot in what’s soon-to-be our former home.
“You say I shouldn’t feel guilty, Tuck.” Her voice is no longer trembling.
“If that’s true, then the same thing applies to you.
It’s not your responsibility to save the house.
And it’s not your fault if the college fucked up your grades.
Like your coach told you, that actually gives you a chance to improve even more and start off with your NHL team next year, rather than being pawned off to the farm team. ”
“Yeah,” I snicker. “But that fucking bonus would have been a godsend right now.”
Talia sighs. “It would have been. But Mom and Dad understand that the circumstances are out of your control.”
It’s true. My parents would have probably fought me tooth and nail anyway to accept my money. “I wish there were a way we could help.”
“Me too, Tuck.” She says softly, “But you heard them. They owe so much money that even if we both had the full payout from the reality show, it wouldn’t make much difference.”
My teeth grind so hard that I’m surprised they don’t shatter. “That money might not have fixed the situation, but it could have bought us a little more time with the bank. Maybe we can ask again if there’s any way we could get it before the end of summer training.”
Talia has always been the realistic one between us.
“It isn’t up to Carole and Coach Harrison,” my sister reminds me.
“And it’s not guaranteed that at this point the bank would give us any more time.
Besides, even if we got that money, we’d have to pay taxes on it.
So it’s even less than the hundred grand we’d get between the two of us. ”
She’s right. I know she is. Our family home is nice but still modest compared to some of the mansions in the most affluent neighborhoods of Star Cove.
Despite that, real estate is expensive in this part of the country, and our parents owe more than half a million dollars if they want to keep our home.
“If there’s a silver lining in this situation is that at least we got the five grand each from the dolls.” I sigh.
Talia nods. “Yeah. That will cover the moving costs and the deposit, and fees for the apartment they’re going to move into.”
Our parents didn’t even want to accept that money, but we wore them down.
As it is, with Dad still out of work and his medical bills, they’re going to have to be very careful with money if they want to make rent.
“I’ll see how much the two classes I have to make up for will cost me.
Mom and Dad can have the rest of the reality show money. ”
“I can help too.” Talia offers. “Mom and Dad used the last of the money they had from the loan to pay for this year’s tuition before Dad got hurt.
I’m going to live in the Zeta house, so the costs will be low.
Dancing with the Shooting Stars, if I make the team, will pay better than working at Joe’s.
So they can have the reality show money. ”
I pull Talia into a hug. “You’re the best, Tal.
I’ll give them everything I have left after paying whatever tuition I owe.
Like you, I’ll live in the frat house. And these money struggles are only temporary.
Next year, the second my bonus lands in my account, I’ll re-buy our family home.
Or even better. I’ll buy Mom and Dad an even nicer house. ”
“I love you, Tucker.” She hides her face in the crook of my neck, and I stroke her blonde hair like I used to do when we were kids and she was scared of something.
“I love you too, sis.” I check my phone before jumping out of my truck.
“Let’s hurry back. I have no messages from Taryn.
Hopefully, that means that Baety was a good little duckling and we aren’t coming back to a pile of smoking rubble where our apartment building used to be.
When she was smaller, I used to lock her in my bathroom and fill the sink with water for her, and she’d be ok alone for a few hours.
But now that she’s growing, I feel bad leaving her alone in my bathroom.
She loves human contact, and she gets restless when she’s alone.
Taryn was a lifesaver since the guys are stuck in a meeting with the rest of the team watching game tape.
I had to promise Coach I’ll watch it all before Friday’s game to be exempt so that we could go see our parents. ”
Talia shakes her head, but she’s smiling.
“I know you fell in love with that duck, but have you thought about the future? You can’t hide her forever.
And what are you going to do during the season when you have an away game?
You can’t take her with you. Besides, I doubt the Gamma house allows pets. You don’t want to get kicked out.”
I’ve thought about it. Hiding Baety is becoming increasingly difficult, but I have a plan. “The Gamma house has a pool, and Baety will love it. And you’re right, pets wouldn’t be allowed except for a mascot.”
“Gamma Delta Tau doesn’t have a mascot.” Talia objects.
“Exactly.” I chuckle. “The fraternity doesn’t have an official mascot, but each chapter is allowed to choose its own. Guess who’s going to be the new mascot of the Star Cove chapter?”
Talia rolls her eyes. “Really? And what about once you graduate and you move out? Are you going to leave Baety behind?”
“Are you crazy? I’ll buy them a new duck if they want.”
“Whatever,” Talia mutters. “I’m beat. I’m gonna go to bed. I’m sure you and Taryn will want to hang out.”
I nod. “Of course. You’re welcome to hang with us if you want.”
“And be the very obvious third wheel?” She chuckles. “Thanks, but no thanks. Tell Taryn I’ll see her tomorrow morning and don’t do anything stupid that’ll get her caught. I like Taryn, and I hope we both make the team.”
As Talia walks to the elevator in the lobby, I walk down the hallway to my apartment. “Honey, I’m home.” I call out as I step into the living room.