Chapter Nineteen
HARPER DROVE UP her street, slowing as she saw a moving truck backed into her driveway. All her senses went on alert. Was this one of those scams she’d seen on the news? Was she being robbed?
She hit the gas and skidded to a stop in front of her house, only to see her mother directing the three men loading the truck. What on earth?
“Mom? What’s going on?”
Harper hurried around the side of the house in time to see her mother’s dresser being carried down the stairs.
Bunny sniffed and folded her arms across her chest. “Isn’t it obvious? I’m leaving.”
“I don’t understand.”
“What isn’t clear? I refuse to stay where I’m not wanted. An apartment opened up at the old folks’ home, so I’m going to live there and wait to die. With my heart broken, it shouldn’t take long.”
“You’re leaving because Stacey didn’t tell you about the baby?”
“That’s really the least of it,” her mother told her. “What about you not telling me?”
“It wasn’t my secret to tell.” Harper did her best to say calm.
“I’m your mother! You always take her side and now you’re doing it again. Well, fine. It can just be the two of you, the way you’ve always wanted it. I won’t be in the way anymore.”
“Mom, please don’t ask me to pick sides. I know you’re upset and I totally get why.” She offered what she hoped was a sympathetic smile. “You’re hurt and you feel cut off from what was happening.”
“Don’t try to placate me. Cut off doesn’t begin to describe what I’m feeling. You think you know everything, but you’re wrong. All you care about is your business, as if making money is the most important thing in the world. Well, it’s not! Family matters more, but you can’t seem to remember that. You and your sister. You’re exactly alike. Selfish and thoughtless, and I’m too old to have to deal with you right now.”
With that, she turned and went back up the stairs, into her apartment. Harper walked into her house and texted her sister. Stacey called right away.
“I’m sorry,” her sister said over the phone. “This is my fault.”
“It’s not. She’s being dramatic. I just feel bad.”
“Me, too, and you have to deal with it.”
Harper watched the movers load more furniture. “Not for long. At the rate they’re hustling, they’ll be done within the hour.”
“Want me to come over?”
“No. I’ll handle it. I just wanted you to know.”
When they’d hung up, Harper tried to figure out what she felt. Concern, sadness, irritation and more than a little fear at the loss of the thousand dollars a month her mother had been paying her for the apartment.
Her mother walked into the house a couple of hours later. “I wrote down my new address. I doubt you or your sister care, but my granddaughter might want to come see me.”
“Mom—” Harper started, only to have Bunny hold up her hand.
“No. We’ve said all there is to say. I’m leaving. I put you down as my emergency contact. I’m sure one of the staff will call you when I die.”
Harper took the card and stared at it. The upscale retirement community was less than three miles from the house. “Mom, I honestly don’t know what to say to you. I’m sorry you’re mad at me. I’m sorry I disappoint you every single day and I hope you’ll be happy in your new apartment.”
Her mother glared at her before handing over the apartment keys. “How dare you.” Then she walked to her car and drove away.
Harper set the card on the counter. She had no idea what to do or say or think about any of it. She threw herself on the sofa. Thor and Jazz jumped up and sat on either side of her. She put her arms around both of them and tried to figure out exactly when her life had gone to shit.
She didn’t know how long she sat there. Dean was working from home and Becca was still at school. She was well and truly by herself. The dogs were oddly comforting. Maybe she should close her eyes and take a nap or something. But before she could decide, there was a knock at the front door, followed by a familiar voice calling, “Harper?”
Thor jumped off the sofa and raced down the hall.
“In the family room.” She waited until Lucas and Thor walked in to say, “It’s the middle of the day. What are you doing here?”
“I was in court and we just wrapped up early. Bunny texted to tell me there was a crisis. What’s wrong?”
“My mother has your number?”
“I gave it to her in case there was an emergency.”
“My mother?”
“What’s going on?”
Talk about the question of the hour, she thought, deciding she probably shouldn’t start laughing. If she did, she might never stop and that would freak him out. Was it too early to drink? Lucas had brought over a bunch of wine the other day. If she started now, she could probably get through at least two bottles by dinnertime. No doubt it would make her sick, but that might not be such a bad thing. Throwing up would be a distraction.
He sat in one of the club chairs and rested his ankle on his opposite knee. Thor lay down next to him.
“I have all day,” Lucas told her.
“You haven’t put your gun away.”
“I might need it.”
That made her smile. “I think the only person worthy of being shot is me, so I’d prefer you didn’t.”
He didn’t respond. Instead he watched her as if trying to illustrate his “I have all day” point.
“Fine,” she grumbled. “My mother has moved out. She’s gone to the old folks’ home, as she calls it, where she plans to wait to die. I feel guilty for hurting her and I’m worried about making up the income the apartment brought in, which makes me a bad person.” She sighed. “There’s my ex’s wedding, my daughter.” She paused. “Dean’s working out, so that’s good.”
She had more to say, but suddenly couldn’t speak as the bitch that was reality slapped her. “I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but I think I miss my mom.”
Lucas shook his head. “There’s no reason to and your problems are all easily fixed.”
Seriously? “Enlighten me.”
“Was that sarcasm I heard in your voice?”
“Yes. How is any of this easily fixed?”
“How much did your mom pay in rent?”
“A thousand dollars.”
He swore. “Harper, the apartment has a perfect ocean view.”
“I know. We always joked about the fact that there’s no view from the house but the garage apartment has...” She felt her mouth drop open. “It has an ocean view. And a private entrance and parking. Oh my God! I could get double what she paid.”
“Or triple.”
Triple? Three thousand dollars a month? That would cover her mortgage, utilities and insurance.
“I’m not that lucky,” she said, “but it’s nice to dream.”
“I’ll check out anyone you’re considering renting to.” He lowered his foot to the floor. “Next, your mother.” One shoulder rose up and down. “Give her some time. She needs to get over what happened with Stacey. If it helps with the guilt, I’ll bet she was feeling a little lonely. Maybe a change of scene will give her the chance to meddle in other people’s lives.”
“I wish it were that easy. I still feel guilty.”
“That I can’t help with. Now, Becca.”
“You’re not going to be able to pretend to fix that one, at all. I have to think about what she said. I have been busy with work but I never thought...” She cleared her throat. “I’ll figure that one out.”
For a second she thought he was going to say something, but he only nodded.
“The wedding.”
She grinned. “Please don’t tell me you know someone who could take out the bride. I might not be happy about the way Terence has acted, but I don’t want to do her harm.”
“Fair enough. What if I take you to the wedding instead? I’d be a buffer between you and the ex, and you wouldn’t have to sit by yourself while Becca’s off doing her thing.”
Harper thought about Dean’s suggestion and wondered if the two men had spoken. No, she told herself. Dean wouldn’t do that. But why on earth would Lucas volunteer for that kind of duty?
“You can’t be serious. You don’t want to go to a wedding with me. I mean it’s sweet of you to offer and I’d have to run it by Terence...”
Telling her ex that she was Becca’s plus one but wanted to bring a plus one of her own would be kind of thrilling, but no. She couldn’t.
She smiled at him. “Thank you for offering, but it’s not practical. We’re friends and I don’t want to make things awkward. I mean, what if people thought I was your date? You couldn’t handle that.”
“Why not?”
“I’m forty-two.”
“I know.”
“That’s nearly double Pomegranate’s age.”
“Persimmon, and I told you, we’re not dating anymore.”
“You were never dating. You were sleeping with her. Lucas, you’re being so nice to me and I appreciate it, but I’m not sure you could handle being in the presence of an age-appropriate woman for that long. I’m afraid you’d shrivel up and blow away.”
“I’m over here all the time.”
“Yes, and no one knows.”
“You’re making fun of me.”
“You’re kind of an easy target.” She laughed. “Okay, I’ll stop because you’re being so nice to me.”
He didn’t smile back. “I’m taking you to the wedding.”
“As if.”
“I mean it.” He looked plenty serious.
She thought about what it would be like to sit alone while Becca was in the ceremony. Later she would have to deal with mutual friends and the bride’s family. She doubted ducking out early was going to be an option. Which meant she would have a hideous evening. Going with someone would help and it wasn’t as if Lucas was someone she had to worry about. He was funny and confident and she would bet he looked really good in a suit. Plus, she would get to dump on Terence about not telling her about the wedding himself and the fact that she was bringing a date. No need for him to know it was all for show.
“You’re sure?” she asked.
“More than sure.”
“Then I’m going to say yes, and thank you.”
* * *
“Anything else about oil pressure?” Lucas asked.
Becca was torn between pride and wanting to roll her eyes. “Sometimes people experience low oil pressure at different times of the year. Less of an issue here because we have relatively consistent temperatures, but in other places, like Minnesota, it could be a real problem.”
“And?”
“And if that happens you need to pay attention to the type of oil you’re using. A high viscosity oil works in the summer because it’s really thick and the heat kind of dilutes it. In super cold temperatures, it’s too thick and causes problems with the engine. It works in reverse, too. A low viscosity oil in hot weather isn’t going to work because it’s too loose.”
“You’re looking smug,” he told her. “Do you know what any of that means?”
“Of course. If you live where it’s really cold, change your oil with the seasons. Even a place like Phoenix, where it doesn’t get really cold, it gets really hot, so you might need a special oil there.”
He grinned. “Well done.”
She opened the driver’s door of her car and slid inside. “I was kind of mad at you,” she admitted as she checked her seat position and mirrors. Every now and then Lucas broke into her car before their lessons and changed everything. The man took his teaching job seriously.
“About?”
“Making me learn all about my car. Other kids don’t have to. But now that I know everything, it’s kind of interesting. Plus, if there’s a problem, I can talk to the mechanic.” She glanced at him. “I’m thinking of taking auto shop for my elective next fall.”
“Does your mom know?”
She laughed. “No, and you can’t tell her. I want to see if it works in my schedule.”
“It’s good to know a few things.” He pointed down the street. “Head to Pacific Coast Highway. From PCH, take Torrance to Hawthorne. Go south on the 405 to the Long Beach freeway, then PCH back.”
Her stomach tightened. She’d been on the freeway before, but not for that long and she’d never gone from one freeway to another. She generally got on at one exit and off two exits later.
“You can do it,” he told her.
She nodded, checked her mirrors again, then pulled into the street.
“Did you hear about Grandma leaving?” she asked, more to distract herself from her nerves than because she wanted to talk about her family. “She was really mad about Aunt Stacey not telling her about the baby. I don’t get it. Why didn’t she say something before? Grandma would be happy to have another grandchild.”
“It’s complicated for Stacey.”
“Because she cares about her career more than making sure the napkins match the tablecloth. I think Aunt Stacey is great. She’s helping people with MS. That’s more important than remembering it’s national ice cream day.”
She turned onto Torrance Boulevard and got over as quickly as she could. She would be turning left onto Hawthorne, but with a green arrow, so that was okay. She still didn’t like turning left in front of oncoming traffic. She was never sure how much space she should leave and usually left so much that the car behind her started honking. Sometimes it was easier to just make three right turns instead.
“Are you dissing your mom?” Lucas asked, his tone sharp. “She takes really good care of you, Becca. She cares about you. You have no idea what it’s like to live with an indifferent parent.”
“You’re wrong,” she told him, careful to keep her attention on the road. “She doesn’t care about me. She’s too busy with work.”
“Huh. I wonder why that’s so important to her. Could it be that you like eating?”
She really wanted to glare at him, but didn’t. Instead she sighed heavily before saying, “It’s not my fault my parents got divorced and it’s not my fault she kept the house. Do you think I like knowing I’m the reason my mom is struggling? I’m going to be gone in a couple of years and then what? Why couldn’t she have sold the house, and then everything would be fine.”
“How do you figure?”
“Because my dad pays her alimony and child support.”
“You know the child support goes right into your college fund, don’t you?”
Um, no. She didn’t. Becca felt herself flush. “How do you know?”
“She told me. She’d probably tell you, if you asked.”
“But there’s alimony.”
“Right. You know your dad. Do you think he’s paying her very much? And it’s going to run out in a couple of years, but sure, she should wait to try to support herself and you because you need attention.”
“That’s mean.”
“That’s honest. I’m not saying your mom isn’t busy. I’m sure she is. She could probably listen more, but you know what? You could ask her to make time. You could tell her you have something important going on.”
“Why does it always have to be me?” she yelled. “Why do I have to be the one to do the right thing?”
She turned onto Hawthorne, got in the right lane, then risked a glance. Lucas’s expression was incredulous.
“What?” she demanded.
“Seriously? You’re going to pull that crap on me? Like you give in even half the time? Like you’re some saint who never pouts or screws up or lies or doesn’t do what you’re supposed to. Sure. It’s all your mom.”
“I’m not saying it’s all her. Just that it doesn’t always have to be me. She’s the mom.”
“Yeah, she is. One quick question. When is it you?”
“What do you mean?”
“You said you didn’t want it always to be you. So I’m asking, when do you take care of stuff for her? When do you get up early to make breakfast or do her laundry, or clean the house, or take her shopping or make sure she’s okay? Have you ever once walked in and said, ‘Mom, I know you’ve been working really hard. How can I help?’ Just one example, Becca.”
She pulled into a strip mall parking lot and drove into a spot, then turned off her car.
“Why are you doing this? Why are you being mean and taking her side?”
His expression was unreadable. “I’m saying that when you diss your mom for no reason, it’s not fair and it doesn’t speak well of you. You’re a good kid, Becca, but you’re also selfish and entitled. You expect to be taken care of but you don’t offer very much in return.” He waved his hand, pointing at her dashboard. “Like this. What do I get out of helping you get in your driving hours? You’re not doing anything for me in return. I’m not a relative. You and I don’t hang out. So why would I bother?”
He leaned toward her. “I don’t expect an answer. My point is, you don’t even ask the question. We should all live to serve you.”
“It’s not like that. I’m not that person.”
“Really? When was the last time you cleaned up after Jazz in the yard?”
“I... There’s a service.”
“Uh-huh. And what else do you do for that dog? You feed her but do you ever stop to think she needs more than just sitting around waiting for you to get home? What about your grandmother? Have you been to see her since she left? Are you keeping up your grades? That was part of our deal—or do you have an excuse?”
“Stop it!” She got out of the car and tried to catch her breath. “I’m not horrible. Stop saying I am.”
“Then don’t trash your mother.”
They glared at each other. Lucas looked way more calm than she felt. She wanted to scream at him to go away, but she couldn’t. Not only were they several miles from the house, she thought maybe he was right. Not about everything, but about the driving, for sure. Why was he helping her? He didn’t have to. Her own dad couldn’t be bothered and Becca had never had the heart to ask her mom. Even she could see how her mom was struggling to hold it all together.
He got out of the car and stared at her across the roof. “Get your shit together, Becca. Figure it out because no one is going to do it for you. I see a lot of potential in you, but potential is meaningless until you do something worthwhile. The world is filled with sad people who had potential. Now either get in and finish the route or head back home. It doesn’t much matter to me which.”
She met his gaze and saw the truth there. He hadn’t said anything, but she had a feeling that if she took him home, that would be the end of her lessons with him.
“You really like her, huh?” she asked.
“I respect her, Becca, and so should you.”
She waited for a second, then got in the car and started the engine. When she pulled out of the parking lot, she turned right and headed for the freeway.