A Study in Family Dynamics

Even though Haley knew it was a trick – that it could only be another scam – her hands still shook and her mouth went dry as she stared at her phone. She turned back to her computer. She didn’t owe him anything, especially after what he’d pulled at Christmas. The phone buzzed again and Haley gave it a sour look. Of course, her brother wanted to talk right now. She swiped huffily at the screen.

“Haley, so glad I caught you.” She tapped at her keyboard, fingernails clacking noisily. She’d chip one at this rate.

“Hey Eric. I’ve got a deadline on Friday, so I can’t talk long.”

“No, of course, you’re right. I’m on my way home from work myself. I just wanted to see if you’d checked your email today.”

Haley narrowed her eyes. “Really?” She said, her voice light. “Is there something in my inbox I should worry about?”

Eric chuckled. “Not worry per say, but open urgently.”

Haley scoffed under her breath. “If you’re talking about the message from Dad…”

“Look, he reached out to me. And, no,” he stressed, “I have no idea what he said this time, but it was probably the same thing as last time and the time before that.”

After a moment of dead air, Eric continued. “Look, I already met him for lunch and we got everything squared away. The transfer went through and I’m sure –”

“Sure that he hasn’t changed? Or that he’s still trying to bribe us instead of taking responsibility for once? If you think for one second I would ever talk to that creep let alone eat lunch, you’ve got–”

“Haley!” Eric interrupted. “You know I’d never take his side over yours, but could you try not to sabotage this for me? Just go have lunch with him, so the rest of us can get paid. Can you do that?” Haley stared at her phone. She’d been tricked before and needed to talk this out. Steven was great at that and she could use a more sympathetic audience.

“No promises, but I’ll try.”

Eric sighed. “That’s something. Just…hear him out, ok?”

Haley said her goodbyes and hung up. She stared at her computer before shutting it down. She’d never focus if she didn’t get this off of her chest. Haley made her way to the bedroom and shook her husband awake.

“Hey, dear,” he yawned. “What’s up?” Steven squinted at the clock then looked at her, brow slightly furrowed. “You never get me up this early. Did I forget something?” He started pulling back the covers.

Haley shook her head. “No, nothing like that.” Her hands fluttered at her sides. “I got a couple phone calls. About the court case.” Steven searched her face, lips pressed into a firm line. Haley knew what he was looking for.

Haley cleared her throat, still meeting his gaze. “Yes, well. He must’ve gotten a new number and called me from that. He wants to have lunch.” Steven grimaced and patted the space next to him. Haley shook her head, not wanting the comfort. Not yet.

Steven leaned forward. “Do you want me to file a report?”

“No, it’s fine. I won’t block him yet. He told me that I’d be getting twenty thousand dollars from all of this.” She thumped down on edge of the bed.

Steven hummed, skepticism written in every line of his face. “Do you think that’s likely? And love,” he gripped her hand, “I know he’s your father, but he’s done this before. There’s never any money and he always reneges sooner or later.”

“The money is real enough. I got an email from the bank and Eric already deposited his share. I only have to get the password.”

Steven seemed to wilt. “Oh love, you know things are different with your brothers, Eric especially. Adrian hasn’t been back in nearly 10 years and refuses all contact. He didn’t even show up for the funeral. You know he’s washed his hands of the whole thing. You should, too.”

“It’s only lunch.”

Steven snorted, “There’s no ‘only’ with you father.”

“I just need to get the password and that’ll be that.”

Steven’s eyebrows shot up, even as he frowned. “You don’t have to talk to him, not after what he did to you. It doesn’t matter if the money is real or not, he’ll expect something in return. He’s probably already asked.” Haley pressed closer.

Haley shrugged. “He promised it’d be different. That he was sorry and he’d make it up to me if I gave him another chance.” She closed her eyes, tired of thinking about it all. “I know he’s said that before. It wouldn’t have to mean anything.”

Steven scoffed and got out of bed. “I won’t tell you how to handle him, but you swore last time was the final straw and you were done giving him second chances. He kicked you out during the holidays and then had the gall to accuse you of stealing.”

“I know, but those bloodsuckers are finally paying. And say what you will about my da- father and everything he did to us and my mom and is still doing now, but those leeches dragged this out for twenty years. I’m owed something for everything they took from me even if it comes from him!”

She slumped back, exhausted. Her chest ached and burned like she’d run for miles. “We could be set. No need to worry about paying back loans or finding money for rent.” She chewed her lip absentmindedly, barely noticing the sting of her teeth cutting into the sensitive flesh.

Steven pulled her in close, kissing the side of her head. Haley felt exhausted as she slumped into the embrace. The searing coal in her throat had become a knife and it was slicing past her defences. She trembled and clasped her hands over her face. She could feel his voice like distant thunder in his chest.

He sighed. “Love, you don’t need to make excuses, not with me. Do you want to give him another chance?”

Haley squeezed her eyes shut. “Would that be so bad?”

“Darling, I love you, but every time that man even attempts to contact you…it’s like you never left that house. You get all twisted up with the little girl who had to save herself.” He pressed his forehead against hers.

Haley rolled over and tucked her arms into her chest. She was sure she’d be sick if she had to say another word.

“Darling, it’s ok. If that’s your decision, I’ll stand by you. I’ll go to that lunch and you won’t have to say a word if you don’t want to.” Haley nodded, her body a tense line under the bedding. She felt hot, cold and dizzy all at once.

Steven rubbed her upper arm and then leaned over to kiss her forehead. “When’s this lunch?”

“Wednesday. He said he’d let me know when and where.” Haley felt Steven nod behind her. “Alright. Write out what you want to say to him. This is your chance to get it all off your chest and then walk away.”

By Wednesday, Haley was exhausted. She tried to be patient, but by noon, she was all but vibrating out of her chair, leg thumping against the floor, lip chewed to pieces. At two, Steven knocked on the door.

“Let’s go for a walk.”

Haley shook her head. “I’ve got work.”

Steven cocked an eyebrow. “Have you managed to get anything done today?”

“No, but – “

“Then let’s go. The fresh air will help.”

Haley glanced at her phone, checking it once more and then got up, stuffing it in her back pocket. Steven herded her out the front door and grabbed her hand, swinging it between them like a little boy. Haley stared at him, lips twitching.

“What’s got into you?”

Steven beamed at her. “Wouldn’t any man be happy to be out and about with a pretty, young thing on his arm? The sun is,” he squinted, “not quite shining, but there’s nothing like a brisk day to make you feel alive.”

Haley wasn’t so sure it was, but after thirty minutes around the block, she felt much more settled. Then they rounded the final corner and she recognized the blue car in front of their house.

“What’s he doing here?” She thought she’d be sick. “How’d he find us here?” Steven rubbed her arms.

“I don’t know. Here,” he handed over his keys. “Go around back and I’ll tell him off.” Haley stumbled after him.

“W-what? No, I’m not afraid of him.”

“All the same, no one treats you the way he has and gets away with it.”

“Ah, my lovely daughter! Come give Dad a hug.” Haley looked over to see her dad walking over to them, face stretched comically around his too-big smile.

She felt her face sneering before she quickly smoothed her expression.

“What are you doing here, Dad? I thought I was meeting you for lunch.” She crossed her arms then shoved her hands in her pockets. Steven was glaring.

“I wanted to surprise you.” He tried to step around Steven who squared up with him. He father didn’t seem to notice, his arms still outstretched.

“We’re both very…surprised. How’d you get this address?”

Her father laughed boisterously. “I called your job and they were happy to pass it along. That secretary is such a kind lady.” He wagged his finger in her face, the cologne she remembered curling the hairs of her nose. “I hope you thank that woman every day.” He turned to Steven. “I raised my children to be respectful.”

Steven was stone-faced. “It’s time to leave, sir.”

Her father flapped his hand. “Nonsense! We haven’t had lunch.”

Haley picked at her nailbeds. “There’s nothing ready for company.”

He jangled his keys and winked. “Let your father take you out to lunch.”

Haley ducked her head and tried to squeeze past him to the house. He swung an arm around her shoulders and held her fast. It hurt as much as it always did. Steven started prying her free.

“Let her go right now.”

Haley nearly fell as she was abruptly released.

“Look, today’s not a good day,” she said faintly, backing up. “Let’s try again tomorrow.” Her father shook his head and insisted. Steven and Haley traded looks.

“Give us the address and we’ll meet you there.” Haley thought her dad seemed annoyed, but he rattled off the address and drove off. The drive over was silent and tense. Before long, they’d pulled up and met him inside. He was still smiling.

He loudly introduced them to the waiter, his new best friend, and extolled Haley’s accomplishments. She didn’t know how he’d even found out about all of them.

Her father slid a small, black notebook across the table. It was doggy-eared and clearly several years old.

“What’s this? It can’t be the password.” Her father popped some mints in his mouth.

“No, no. Your mother left that for you. I leant it to some friends and I thought you’d like it now.”

Haley nodded and placed it into her bag. Lunch took too long and her father made the usual promises. She nodded along like she believed him. The money didn’t matter. She finally had something of her mother’s, something left just for her. Everyone knew what had happened even if the coroner said it was natural causes. It was just like him to keep this from her, to pass around her inheritance like a party favor and return it like a gift. She didn’t say any of the things she’d written down. She didn’t need to.