Page 4 of Rebel

“Oh we don’t need you to help take care of him. We do okay when it’s just the two of us. I unplugged the stove so he can’t cook for himself anymore. When a problem pops up, I always find a solution for it. Anyhow, I can still take him places, go on walks with him if he decides he has to walk, and I can distract him when he gets anxious. For now, we’re okay together.”

That all sounded dodgy as hell to me considering she just said he almost burned the house down, but I asked, “What do you need? Just tell me and I’ll be all over it in a heartbeat.” My voice was firm and decisive, because I truly would do anything for my parents. I loved them and they’d always been there for me, so now was my chance to return the favor.

“The problem is financial, Lacey. We spent our entire savings paying off the house and cars right before your father was diagnosed. The rest went towards his care before his disability was approved. The office should be earning enough to cover our expenses, but it isn’t.”

“Why not? Livingstone Electrical is the only licensed electrical company in Griffinsford. Business has always been good. Who did you put in charge of the office?”

She hesitated long enough for me to suspect that my father’s favorite technician was put in charge. She finally confirmed my fears, “Your father decided putting Mark Shepard in charge was the right move when he had to retire.”

I reminded her angrily, “Mark couldn’t manage one big box install on his own. The store’s grand opening had to be pushed back by a week. Dad was none too happy with him over that cockup.”

“Oh I remember all about that. I tried to talk your father out of it, but he insisted Mark was the best and the brightest of his employees. Mark had also been there the longest. Your father said loyalty should be rewarded.”

“So what do you need me to do?” I asked.

“Having you back working for the company would be a great help,” my mom said.

I thought things over for a few moments before I responded, “If I come back, I want full authority to do what needs to be done to get the company operating again. I’m telling you right now, Mark Shepard has got to go. Do you think Dad will fight me on that issue?”

She got tearful again before admitting, “Some days he doesn’t even remember he had an office. One day he asked me whatever happened to his students, like he thought he’d been a teacher at some point.”

Shock rolled through my mind all over again. I just couldn’t imagine my father that far gone. “Jesus, Mom! You should have told me what was happening.”

“I know. Looking back, I feel so foolish for thinking we could do this on our own.”

“Okay, I’m coming home right now. Don’t you worry, I’ll do whatever it takes to get the company back in the black.”

“What do you mean by right now? You can’t just walk out of your job.”

“Wanna bet? If my boss is left in the lurch, maybe he can start treating his wife right so she can come back to work for him.”

“What about your apartment?”

“I’m paid through to the end of the month. I’ll pack whatever my car can hold and come back for the rest later this month.”

“I hate to ask, but how soon can you come?”

“Today is Friday. I’ll work the rest of today and turn in my resignation at the end of the day then I’ll head straight to you. I’ll have to spend the better part of the weekend in the office, trying to figure out exactly what went wrong.”

“Oh, Lacey. Are you sure this is what you want to do? I’m not pressuring you, am I?”

“Of course not. I was thinking about coming home as one of my options. Running Dad’s office just gives me a good reason. To be honest, even if by some quirk of fate, Mark was managing the office perfectly, I’d come home just to spend time with Dad. He needs his family around him right now. That means both of us. You should never have had to shoulder this burden alone.”

My mom was sobbing as she spoke. “I really appreciate you giving up your dream of living in the big city to help us, Lacey. You’re a good daughter, much better than I deserve.”

That was a bizarre, fucked-up thing to say, but I didn’t get into that because now was not the time. Instead I told her, “I’m going to pack my car right after work and leave. That will haveme arriving in Griffinsford around eleven tonight. Is that going to be okay? I don’t want to upset Dad’s routine.”

“That’s sweet of you to be concerned about your father, Lacey. I think if you use your key and slip in quietly, he’ll probably sleep right through it. I’ll help you unload your car in the morning.”

“Alright, that sounds like a plan. I love you, Mom. Just hang in there a few more hours and I’ll be there to lend a hand.”

Before she could respond there was a loud knock at my window. When I glanced up, Edward pointed to his watch. The angry expression on his face made me grateful that I was leaving today. Something about this man triggered my Spidey senses in the worst way.

“Sorry Mom, I have to go. My lunch break is over. I’ll call you when I’m on my way, okay?”

“Yes. Drive safely, ladybug.”

I smiled that she used my nickname from when I was little.

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