Page 85 of The Secret
He’s wiping his hands on a rag, the mower sitting on the grass outside. “Alicia. To what do we owe this pleasure?” He raises an eyebrow.
I’ve told him before to his face that I avoid coming when he’s here, so he’s no doubt guessed something’s up.
“We need to have a conversation about Lauren and David.”
My mom exhales sharply behind me.
My dad shakes his head. “It’s nothing to do with you.”
“She’s my sister. He’ll be my brother-in-law. You know, my family.”
He narrows his eyes. “I seem to remember you opted out of this family.”
It’s not the first time he’s said crap like this, and mostly I ignore it.Mostly.“You do realize I have all my own relationships with my brother and sister, and we meet up and everything? Mom too.”
His gaze flickers over my mom, and he purses his lips. “Well then, I’ll have to put more effort into stopping that happening, won’t I?” he says softly.
My mother moves behind me, and when I swing to look at her, her hand is pressed to her chest.
He glances at her and harrumphs, waving his hand out. “David’s weak. Always has been. Always will be. Backs down from an argument. She’s not marrying him.”
I stare at him. How is he going to stop it from happening? How’s he going to prevent me from seeing or talking to my siblings? This is why we’ve always done things behind his back—because he’s an asshole. An asshole who likes to threaten people.
“Exactly how are you planning to stop her from getting married?”
“I’ll cut her off. She might have got some money from me, but not if this goes ahead. She’s always been easy to break, too ready to keep the peace. I keep telling you, Alicia, you’ve got to find people’s weak spots and exploit them.”
It’s like a line from an action movie. What a strange man he is. And exploiting people? He’s talking about his family, the idiot. My sister doesn’t care about some inheritance she might receive from our dad. And he’s way underestimated how much she loves David.
“Like you tried to cut me off when I didn’t do what you wanted. What a stunning success that was. You realize we’re not living in the nineteenth century, don’t you? Cutting your children off these days makes no difference to their lives, and they’ll be quite glad to get rid of you. I know I am. The relief of not having to hear your bullshit has improved my life immeasurably.”
Who cares if I sound childish?
His hands ball into fists. “I think you underestimate the pull of money. And I don’t care to be insulted in my own home. Get out and don’t come back.”
I laugh. “What are you going to do, old man? Throw me out? Do you know how strong I am? You just have to sit and listen and do as I say.”
It was a phrase he threw at me all through childhood, but I’m enjoying this too damn much. He takes a step toward me, and I crook my fingers to beckon him forward. “There would be no greater pleasure than to take you down.”
“If it wasn’t for your mother, you wouldn’t be allowed in this house.”
I turn and look at my mom who’s moved to the window and is staring out at the grass.
“It’s fine, Mom, we may all end up not talking to him, but we’ll always talk to you.”
My father puffs up his chest and opens his mouth as if to say something. I glance at my mom, but she’s still looking out into the yard.
“I’m not missing my daughter’s wedding,” she says suddenly, swinging around to look at my father. And oh, she’s never said anything like that in my presence before!
A flush is building on his throat, and suddenly I realize he’s going to be a sad, lonely old man. Despite my siblings placating him, they hate him too. They just won’t verbalize it.
My dad studies her. “We’ll talk about this later.”
“No, we won’t,” my mom says firmly. “I’m not missing David and Lauren’s wedding. I’m not missing going and choosing dresses with her and helping her decide on flowers. I’m not missing one darn thing about it.”
Holy shit. I think that’s the longest speech my mom’s ever given.
My dad’s lip curls.
