Chapter 4 - Izzy

Just. Be. Professional. I’m at work. This is my job, and I need it desperately. And you know what, I like it! Arthur is smart and wise and I enjoy our talks. I’m enjoying my job for the first time in years. I can’t lose this job and I don’t want to lose this job!

But oh my goodness… When Dave walks through the door holding Arthur by the elbow and guides him to his chair I pretty much melt into a puddle on the floor. Why does he have to be so damn sexy! He’s muscular and tall, and his tousled brown hair makes it look like he’s a surfer who’s permanently just walked out of the ocean towards me. Or maybe it looks like he’s running into the water towards me to save me, and the water is splashing around him, glistening on his skin as his muscles shine in the sun. He’s reaching towards me and our bodies touch in the water and -

I clear my throat and turn towards the counter where I laid out Arthur’s medication. Get a grip, Izzy!

“Now Arthur, I’m going to leave this here. Make sure you have it after you’ve eaten.” I glance at Dave to make sure he understands. He gives me a subtle nod and his icy blue eyes drill into me, sending a thrill straight down my spine.

“That’s no problem, Isabelle. You take the evening off now, Davey will take care of me for the next few hours.”

“Alright Arthur. I’ve left my number on this paper here in case you need anything.”

“Go, enjoy yourself! I’ll be fine.”

I smile and nod at the two men before making my exit.

Once I leave the room I can finally breathe easier. I grab my bag and head out the front door. Dave’s car is in the driveway - a shiny new Mercedes. I walk past the sleek black car and down the driveway towards the shed. I park my car next to Neville and Maria’s - my fifteen year old Honda just looks out of place next to the big house, and I’m extra grateful that I have it parked out of sight today.

I climb into the driver’s seat and put my purse down next to me when my phone rings. I look at the screen and sigh.

“Hi, Dad.”

“Izzy, kid! I’ve been trying to reach you for days!”

“That’s funny, I didn’t have any missed calls from you.” I’m glad he can’t see my eyes rolling.

“Oh, strange. The calls must have failed.”

“Right. What did you want to talk to me about?”

“Oh, I just wanted to see how you were doing! How’s work?”

“Work is fine.” I’m definitely not telling him I’m working for the Langleys now, and that I just saw Dave Langley for the first time since the accident happened. Somehow I have a feeling that wouldn’t go over well.

“Good, good. Listen, I need you to take care of your sister for a little bit longer. We’re all tied up here and I won’t be able to get out for a couple more weeks.”

“You’ve been in the Bahamas for almost a year, dad.” I sigh. I’m barely keeping my head above water and he’s off sunning himself with his newest lover. Or I mean working on a new ‘business opportunity’. “Her school fees will be due soon, and her after-school gymnastics and daycare are starting to get expensive. Any chance you can send some money through?”

“Ah, Izzy, I’m sorry. I just don’t have anything to spare right now, it’s all tied up. Isn’t she old enough to look after herself? Why does she need daycare? Just pull her out of gymnastics if it costs too much!”

My whole body stiffens when he says that. Jess’s whole world changed when she discovered gymnastics! It would crush her to give it up, and watching her would crush me too. He would know that if he’d bothered to be here to help raise her.

“She’s eleven, Dad. That would be fine if it was just for an hour or so but I don’t get home until after eight. She can’t be at home all evening on her own!”

“Well, see if you can get your hours changed. I’m sorry, kid, I just don’t have any extra cash right now.” Of course you don’t.

“Alright, well I’ll see you in two weeks then.”

“Yeah, two weeks. It might be a little bit longer, I’ll let you know.”

“Yeah, sure.”

I hang up the phone and close my eyes, sighing and leaning back into my car’s worn seats. Our family has fallen apart. After mom left, he’s been off attaching himself to one rich woman after another under the guise of chasing ‘business opportunities’. More like chasing an easy life and running away from his family. What’s left of his family, anyways.

In the end, it’s Jess and I that are left holding the pieces. The tears prickle at the corners of my eyes as I think of my little sister. At least she’s better off with me than she is with our mother, if you can even call her that. I wouldn’t wish my childhood on anyone. I push that pain down a little bit further and think of Jess’s smiling face.

She’s better off with me than she is with either of them, but she’s only eleven and she should have real parents. She doesn’t deserve this! I wish I could provide for her and give her a better life. She’s so smart, she should be going to the best college to set her up for the future but I can barely keep a roof over our heads, let alone start a college fund for her. Rent is due next week and I don’t have to look at my bank account to know I’ll have to choose between rent and food this week.

A single tear rolls down my cheek as I think of Jess’s little chubby cheeks and the way she sticks her tongue out at me when she’s trying to make me laugh. I love that girl with all my heart.

I take a deep breath and feel my resolve strengthening. I don’t need my deadbeat dad to help us out if he doesn’t want to. I won’t degrade myself by begging him for a few bucks. I’m going to make her life better than mine if it’s the last thing I do. All I need to do is keep my head down and stay in this job. There’s real opportunities for nurses in this city, I just need a little more experience and a little more time. Then I’ll be able to help Jess out and make sure she can choose what she wants to do.

She won’t live under the shadow of the accident like the rest of us do.

I turn on the car and head out the driveway. I’ve left notes for the night shift nurse, and Jess is sleeping over at a friend’s house. For the first time in weeks I have a few hours to myself. I turn the car in the direction of my favourite pub. After a day like today, I need a glass of wine to calm my nerves and think about how I’m going to get Jess and I through these next few months.