Chapter Seventeen
I haven’t had a good jog in a while. My mind has been preoccupied with a beautiful brunette. Now that it’s over with her, my mind runs free. Not free as in clear, but all over the place with no clear path and wild as hell.
I slip into my running shoes and walk into the morning air.
It feels refreshing. The girls are still asleep.
Maisie’s in my bed again. This is the second night in a row.
She had a tummyache the night before. Not only did she have two desserts and ice cream, but after we got home, we watched a movie, had popcorn, chips, and soda.
I let her have what she wanted because fuck it, it was her mom’s birthday, and Annie wasn’t here.
I wanted to have her comfort food. Now I can admit that it wasn’t the best idea.
After cleaning up vomit in the middle of the night and treating a sick kid, I’ve learned my lesson.
With the door locked behind me, I put some music on through my earbuds and start the workout time on my watch. My pace is slow at first, then I pick up speed as I get in the groove.
The sun barely breaks the edge of the sky. I love this time of day. It’s quiet, beautiful, and it belongs to me. Well, me and the few other runners brave enough to chase the dawn on a Monday morning.
I haven’t been sleeping well. The thought of Sam and Ginger hanging out after dinner bothered me. Every time I closed my eyes, Sam was there, slipping into my dreams the way she used to. It used to feel like a gift to see her like that. But not anymore. Not when she’s kissing my ex.
To make matters worse, on the car ride home, Maisie asked me why Sam was with that other woman instead of me.
She wanted to know if she still liked me, if she was mad at me, and a few other questions that I couldn’t answer.
I mean, the girls saw us at the carnival, and they both know I like women.
Annie and I have always been honest with them.
I just never expected the girls to notice, to be honest. I’ve never brought a woman around them before.
Not for any reason other than I didn’t feel a connection with anyone enough to do so.
Everything just felt natural with Sam. I thought we were on the same page. Little did I know.
My lungs tighten as I increase my pace. As I remember the way Sam turned to look at Ginger as they entered the restaurant, I push harder. That same smile she gave me recently. The one that made me feel like it was meant for only me. How wrong was I?
I pick up more speed midway through my run as images of Sam and Ginger being intimate dance through my mind.
Now I’m pissed off. That feels way better than letting her hurt me.
Anger is easier. How dare she toss me aside like a piece of trash?
She kissed me first. She approached me for sex.
This isn’t what I deserve for letting my guard down and trusting her.
“Left!” I breathe out sharply as I approach other runners in my way.
My heart pounds, each beat jolting through my chest. My legs are heavy with exhaustion.
I don’t think they hear me because I have to cut into the grass to get around them.
When I get closer to the house, I see that damn red car again.
It’s parked in front. I take off running as fast as my tired legs carry me.
Then I see him. The same damn kid from Kara’s school that she’s been talking to. He’s coming from the side of the house where Kara’s room is. I push harder to get to him when I notice his eyes catch mine. I make it to his car about the time he jumps in the driver’s seat.
“Hey!” I slap the driver’s window hard. “Get the fuck out of the car!” I don’t care about my language at the moment. He wants to act like an adult and sneak around with my niece then he can take my choice of words.
He looks at me, terrified. Clearly he didn’t expect to get caught. He frantically scrambles to put the car in gear. His eyes are wide with fear as he screeches off out of sight. That’s the last straw. I’m fed up with the bullshit from Kara. I’m putting up cameras so I can find out what she’s up to.
The house has natural light now with the sun coming up.
I walk straight up the stairs to Kara’s room and twist the knob.
Of course it’s locked. “Open the damn door, Kara.” I bang on it, knowing good and well she’s up.
“Now!” This game she’s playing with me is over.
I gave her time. I’ve let her basically run over me with her sarcastic remarks and disrespectful facial expressions.
But she isn’t going to throw her life down the drain under my watch.
Kara jerks the door open. “Yeah?” Her sarcastic reply pisses me off even more. Oh look, how convenient that she’s changed back into her sleep clothes.
I push past her and walk to the window. It’s closed. I start looking around the room. “Where’s the fire-escape ladder?”
“What?” Kara squeaks out, giving me a little hint that I’ve surprised her.
I whip around, angry about her lies and flat-out meanness toward me.
We’re both hurting, so there’s no excuse anymore.
“Don’t you dare play games with me.” I point at her on my way to the closet to search through it.
Nothing in there either. Then, I notice a red part of the ladder peeking out from under the bed.
“What, my ass!” I pull it out and hold it up. “I met your little boyfriend earlier. Either you tell him to stay away, or the police can do it for me. You choose.”
Kara crosses her arms over her chest. She stares me down, her face a stone of defiance. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Don’t blame me for your delusions.”
I drag the ladder to the door. “I’m getting tired of your lies.”
“Great!” Kara cries out. “Take the ladder. Maybe I’ll die too if there’s a fire!”
I stop in the doorway, taking a moment before turning to look at her.
Fury fuels me, but common sense guides me.
She knew those words would cut like a knife.
“Manipulation won’t work here. Not in this moment.
If your boyfriend grows wings, then tell him to fly on up.
I’d be happy to clip them for him. That’s the only way he’ll ever come into this house again.
Also, you’re grounded until I feel like I can trust you again.
So, let’s bank on forever at the moment.
Get ready for school.” I don’t close the door when I leave, but Kara slams it, nonetheless.
This isn’t the girl I’ve known her whole life. She’s rebelling out of heartache. Letting her have space to adjust and heal hasn’t worked out. Now it’s time for a new approach. She’ll be on a short leash until she proves I can trust her again.
Maisie’s sound asleep and stretched across my bed diagonally.
I softly make my way to the bathroom, closing the door gently so that I can shower.
I’ll let her sleep until I’m ready. I don’t mind if she sleeps with me from time to time.
If she needs the comfort, then that’s what she’ll get.
The girls are my whole world. Even if Kara despises me for the rest of her life.
After showering, I get Maisie dressed and fed all while collecting evil stares and eye rolls from Kara. She doesn’t say anything to me. The silent treatment is in full force. And I actually don’t care right now. I’m tired. I welcome the silence over the lies.
My phone beeps. It’s Sam. Can we meet to talk?
I close the phone and lay it on the counter.
I hate that seeing her message gave me that feeling in my stomach.
I miss her. But I also have nothing to say to her.
She doesn’t deserve a response until I’m ready to send it.
If she wants attention, then let her get it from Ginger.
* * *
The day drags—it feels like I didn’t accomplish anything.
More issues on the Pearson Street house, just when we thought we were in the clear.
The HVAC system went down, but luckily it was only the compressor that needed replacing.
Sometimes with houses like this, you win, and sometimes you come out just a little over even.
I’m hoping we don’t lose on this one. If there aren’t any more setbacks, we can make a decent profit.
It’s not great, but it’s better than just breaking even or taking a loss.
After picking both girls up from school, there’s a heavy silence in the car.
I looked around for that disrespectful little turd and his red Honda, but he was nowhere to be seen.
Probably a good thing because I’m not in the mood to deal with drama and I can’t promise that I wouldn’t have confronted him.
Then Kara would hate me forever and I’d have regretted it.
Thank you for the small mercies. No one speaks as we head over to the A-frame house.
“So, girls,” I say, a little apprehensive. “We’re headed to this new house, and we’re all going to do some hands-on remodeling. You get to help in the actual change of a house before it’s sold.” I hope I sound convincing enough to motivate them.
“Cool!” Maisie claps. “Can I get a tool belt for work?”
“No, Maisie.” Kara’s sarcasm oozes throughout the car. “You wouldn’t know how to use anything anyway.”
“Would too!” Maisie turns and sticks her tongue out at Kara.
“Enough!” I intervene just as Kara starts her retort. “You’ll be given jobs, and after you finish, I will pay you for your work.”
“How much are we going to make?” Kara asks, her interest piqued.
I look at her through the rearview mirror. “To be determined.”
“Figures,” Kara says under her breath, just enough for me to hear.
Instead of replying, I turn up the radio and ignore it. She’s looking for a reaction, and I don’t feel like arguing with her. Maisie begins singing, making up the words as she goes. It’s exactly what I need. I even find myself humming along.
Steven’s already at the house when we pull up.
I gave him a list of items to get from Home Depot earlier today, knowing I’d have to get the girls from school.
So, when we get to the house, the work can begin.
I brought the girls some extra clothes though I’m sure Kara will have some sharp remarks about it.
It’s not the right shirt or bottoms. Why’d I pick those yoga pants?
The tennis shoes are the wrong color. But she’ll get over it.
They’ll start learning what it’s like to do something meaningful and not be given everything their little hearts desire without earning it.
This is mostly for Kara because I love her enough to want a better future for her than what she thinks she wants for herself.
“Here we go, girls,” I say, handing them their bags. “Let’s change inside, then we can get started on making this woman a lady.” Maisie giggles. Kara acts like she’s about to enter day one of boot camp. “Find a room to change wherever. Kara, please look after your sister.”
“Always,” Kara scoffs. I expect nothing less from her anymore.
“Hey, my beautiful angels.” Steven emerges from the house. Kara walks past Steven without any recognition as Maisie jumps in his arms. “Well, okay then,” he says in Kara’s direction before turning back to give me a wide-eyed look.
“She’s in a constant mood.” I shrug as I grab my phone and backpack.
Tomorrow, I’ll go home first before coming here, but right now they’re installing cameras at the house.
I don’t want Kara to know about them yet.
I want to catch her in the act and find out what she’s up to.
I hope since she’s been caught, it stops. But I don’t have high hopes.
“It’s rough, Uncle Steven.” Maisie shakes her head in disbelief as she walks inside. Steven looks at me after she’s out of sight and we both burst out laughing.
“She’s not wrong,” I admit.
He drapes an arm across my shoulders as we follow Maisie. “I love that kid,” he says.
“Me, too.”
There are no blinds to the enormous windows, so there’s plenty of natural light to work with. I’m actually excited to get started. I haven’t done this in a while. I wore blue jeans, a black T-shirt, and tennis shoes.
“What are you having the girls do first?” Steven starts unpacking the things he bought.
“I was thinking they could start by cleaning up the place a bit before giving them small tasks here and there.”
“Perfect!” Steven hands me two brooms. “Voila!”
“Kara’s going to love me so much for this.” I shake my head, picturing the wrath of a teenager having to clean.
“So much,” he agrees. A sneaky smile spreads across his face as he pictures my demise.