Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 89674 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89674 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
“But it’s turned into a positive. Dash is goin’ to the top law school in the country on a full ride. A guy that can’t stand his father is offerin’ help,” I explained.
“So you’re moving?” she asked. “What about your job? I know you like what you do.”
“There’s a UPS hub close by, a FedEx station a little further out. We think I have an in,” I said, glancing up at Dash for confirmation. He nodded. My main goal was to be supportive, not questioning how this was going to impact me. The hell Dash had been through meant a breakdown was coming. I’d give to him what he gave to me: a quiet, stable space in the storm.
“When’s this happening?” she asked.
“In a couple of weeks. I’ll pack up the truck with what we want to take with us and head up there. Amelia’s going to move into this Dallas home to keep an eye on the place. The Chicago home we’re stayin’ at is fully furnished. It’s not like I’m takin’ a movin’ van worth of stuff with me. And then we’ll stay until Dash finds a place to land.”
“I’ll probably fly home then ride up there with him,” Dash offered, exactly like he wasn’t supposed to do. Adding to the plan or the explanation was a previously stated hard no. How did he not remember since it was only moments ago?
“I’ll ride with you,” my mom suggested. “I want to see where you’re living. Make sure it’s safe, in a safe neighborhood.” The crazy-eyed expression and tilting head I gave to Dash better have conveyed my utter irritation with him. I mouthed, stick to the facts.
“Mom, I want you to come up there, but I think Scott’s gonna help us. Maybe you can come the next week. I’ll have time to show you around while Dash is in class. It’s different than SMU. He’s gonna be really busy.”
“Not too busy to explore Chicago with you, Linda,” Dash corrected, charmingly. "Beau’s going to try and keep me away from you, so you’ll like him more than me.”
“I have two sons now. I love you both equally, but I have questions. All this money your father had, did it come from Dash’s father?” she asked. Pretty much my most immediate thought too after learning the truth.
“Probably, but we don’t know,” I answered. Honestly, I knew her too well. She’d think this through and want to give the money back. Dash and I had talked about that possibility last night. The money needed to stay with her. She had also suffered mightily under our fathers’ cruelty.
“Linda, we don’t know, but I’ll say my father owes it to you and much more. He took everything from you. We want you to keep the money,” Dash said, and I gave him props for the warm reassurance in his tone.
Silence ensued for several long moments. “This is why your father turned to alcohol. He couldn’t bear what he had done,” she said.
“That’s our guess too, and ultimately, he might not like what he’d done, but he still did it,” I said. “I’m not givin’ him any breaks. He did this along with Mr. Richmond.”
“I know, son. And I agree.”
“We have a lot to do before Dash leaves,” I said, drawing the phone closer to me. “We should probably go. I gotta call Scott.”
“Son, if he can’t ride with you, I will. You don’t need to make the trip by yourself,” she said, mimicking Dash who nodded exaggeratingly. They were ridiculous. Like either one of them could protect me or themselves if things went south. “Then I’ll plan to be there for your birthday. Twenty-one is a big one. We’ll go have a drink.”
Dash chuckled under his breath. I’d never been the one carded. My resting bitch face scared people. Dash, on the other hand, had to show his ID everywhere we went.
“Sounds good, Linda. I can’t wait to see you,” Dash said.
I cocked a brow at him while understanding she was the only parent figure we had left, and Dash was buttering her up, because that was what he did.
“Mom, I gotta go. We have a million things to do before he leaves. I’ll call you next week,” I said.
“Dash, you call me too, honey,” she said. “I’m sorry for the trouble your parents have caused you. I’ll never understand being gifted such joy with your children then doing everything possible to tear them down.”
Dash ducked his head, probably not wanting me to see his vulnerability.
“I’m sorry for the pain it caused Beau,” he finally said. His words less forceful than moments ago as a well of emotion clogged his throat. Dash let go of an unsteady sigh, and continued, “But I’ve been given a gift with you and Beau standing with me.” Well, that might be laying it on too thick. I laughed but his hand reached for mine again, gently squeezing. “You know I feel that way.”