Chapter 5
Caleb
My afternoon kayak tour is a family of six, the youngest child age seven. They are calm and quiet, which enables me to give them the best damn experience around. When all is said and done I get a twenty dollar tip and pat on the back from the dad. At least someone appreciates my skills.
Koby gives me a lift back to the apartment. Once inside, I plop down on the couch for a nap, knowing damn well my brother will wake me when he gets home. Except, it’s not his charming voice that greets me. Instead I hear arguing and sit up to find Bristol and my father having words. She’s carrying two large bags. Before I'm able to wipe my eyes, I'm being pointed at. "Your sister thinks she can move out and support herself, and I'm tired of arguing about it. She's not coming home until I get a sincere apology."
Bristol rolls her eyes while keeping her arms crossed over her chest. She's so damn difficult. "Whatever! I'm not coming back."
"You can't stay here. We don't have the room. Go stay with Brant."
"He won't let her. They don't want her coming and going in the middle of the night. West either. Dane has his hands full with the baby."
"Well that's not my problem."
"It is now. You and Coop are free to stay at the house. You're there every day as it is. Let this little know-it-all learn a lesson."
I stand, stretching, before walking my dad outside to the porch. "This is a joke, right?"
His stern face tells me otherwise. "No. I've had it. She refuses to follow the simple house rules and she doesn't want to pitch in. She won't cook or clean. She doesn't pay rent. Hell, she barely wants to show up for her shift at the diner. I'm losing my mind, and it's not fair to Alice."
"Again, how is this my problem?"
"Son, I need your help. Just let her stay with you for a couple weeks. Make her pay rent. Show her how much better off she is admitting she's wrong. She needs to learn a lesson."
"You do know this could blow up in your face, right?"
"If it does, I'll help her move to another place. I have a good feeling that she'll be home after a couple days. Especially staying with you and Coop."
I shouldn't be offended. "What's that mean?"
“It means you guys live like a bunch of pigs. You eat, sleep and shit here. When is the last time you picked up after yourselves?”
I shrug. “It’s not that bad. We do our laundry.”
“At my house,” he counters. “Listen, I’m not asking you to take care of her. Just keep an eye on her. Be her brother.”
Running my hands over my stressed face, I hate that I’m about to agree with him. “Fine. She can crash here for a while, but it’s not permanent. She’s a pain in my ass too.”
“I bet your mother is turning over in her grave right now. She’d know what to do about her. Should’ve known she’d be the hardest one of you five kids.”
“She’s a spoiled brat, Dad. What did you expect?”
“Maybe. I just tried to do right by all of you.”
“You’re a good dad. She’s just an asshole right now. I guess we all were at some point.”
He places his hand on my shoulder. “Watch your little sister for me. Don’t enable her. Make sure she has a curfew while she’s with you boys, and don’t you dare let her drink. If I find out you’ve let her get drunk with your friends I’ll beat both of your asses.”
I laugh. It’s comical to think about my dad picking me up and putting me over his knee. I’m as big as he is. “You could try.”
He shoves me and laughs at himself. “Just behave.”
“She’ll be fine, Dad. I’ll make sure she never wants to leave home. I’ll make her scared to go outside.”
He’s shaking his head and rolling his eyes as he sticks his head in the door and gives my sister the news. “Your brothers are in charge. Listen to them and abide by their rules. If I have to come and get your ass, you’ll never hear the end of it.”
“Whatever, Dad.”
I remain on the porch until Dad gets in his truck and pulls away. Then go into the house to find my sister making herself comfortable on the couch. I push her over and take the remote from her hand, turning on a zombie horror flick I know she can’t stand. “My house, my rules, sis.” Slipping my feet up on the coffee table, I turn to face her. “What’re you making for dinner?”
“What? I’m not doing shit for you.”
“Oh really?” I point for the exit. “There’s the door. You don’t want to pitch in, get the fuck out.”
She shoves me, but doesn’t leave the couch. “I’m not going to be your slave. Dad wouldn’t leave me alone. I’ll barely be here.”
“Don’t think you can use me for a place to keep your shit while you run around town.”
“Caleb, I’m going to do whatever I want. I’m almost twenty. Dad needs to chill.”
“You need to chill. He’s worried about you.”
“Well he’s overbearing and I’m sick of it. If I want to party, I’m going to. End. Of. Story.”
“You’re ridiculous.” I take a second to think about Bristol staying with us, and how it will ruin my chances of bringing anyone home. I’m just glad it’s Spring instead of Summer, because her ass would be looking somewhere else for a couch.
“Don’t worry, Caleb. I won’t cock block you or Coop. I know that’s what you’re thinking.”
“Is not,” I lie.
“Whatever. It’s all you care about.”
We’re going to have to cut the conversation short. I’ve had a long day and the bar is calling my name.