Page 75 of Just Business

I think back to some things the therapist said in our last session. The suggestion of AA hits me, and for the first time, it doesn’t sound so ridiculous.

“I think you need to talk to Cassie. She was nearly hysterical with worry last night, Austin. She deserves to know what’s going on.”

“No.” I shake my head, fisting the bedsheet in my grip. “I can handle this. I’m not dragging her into it.”

Penny reaches over, taking my hand in hers.

“Don’t forget, I was there in Texas with you and your family. I saw with my own eyes how much they love you, and believe me…” Her voice cracks, and she stops, swallowing hard. “Take it from someone who doesn’t have a family to lean on anymore. You need to let them carry this with you.”

Penny’s words tumble around in my head. I’ve spent a long time keeping this from my family. The thought of telling them, seeing the looks on their faces when they realize what’s been going on, can I handle that?

"All right," I say, my words heavy. “I’ll tell them.”

* * *

Since I crashed in her space last night, Cassie ended up sleeping at Penny's and that's most likely where she still is. I send her a quick text asking if she can come up to the apartment. A few minutes later, I hear the knob turn and Cassie steps inside. She settles onto the sofa, her eyes flitting back and forth between Penny and me, a worried look on her face.

She shifts on the sofa uncomfortably. "What’s going on? You two are making me nervous."

I exhale, forcing myself to meet her gaze. “It’s our father.”

Her eyes narrow in confusion.

I swallow hard. “He calls me—always when he’s drinking. I can hear it in his voice every time.”

Realization hits as my words sink in. Her hand flies to her mouth, eyes searching mine with new understanding. "Is that why your drinking got so out of control?"

"Partly, yeah…" I pause, taking a deep breath. "I can't blame him for everything, as badly as I want to. Some of it’s my own damn fault. Life on the road eventually caught up to me. I couldn’t handle the pressure. But yeah, a lot of it was definitely him.”

"I think he should change his number," Penny interjects. She briefly glances my way before she turns back to my sister. “He has to break the line of communication.”

Cassie nods, her expression serious. "Why haven't you?" she asks.

I give her a pointed look.

“Mom has plenty of our numbers if something happens. You can't keep sacrificing your own mental health on these ‘just in case’ intrusive thoughts."

"That's basically what I told him," Penny agrees.

"Anyway, I’ve decided to tell Aunt Ashley, Uncle Brad, and Tyler." I pause, glancing between them. “It’ll be easier if you’re both here with me.”

I shoot a quick text to the family group chat, and within minutes, both Aunt Ashley and Tyler reply that they’re available to talk. Penny runs to grab her laptop to give us a larger screen and I start the call with Cassie and Penny on either side of me on the sofa.

Once everyone’s on the call, I don’t waste any time. I jump right into it, telling them everything that’s been going on. After my story has a moment to sink in, Uncle Brad—who is normally calm and composed—slams a fist down on the kitchen table and stands quickly. His chair topples backward, and Aunt Ashley turns, pinning him with a stare.

"Brad, it won’t do anybody any good if you go over there," she snaps when he reaches for his keys on the familiar key hook by the door. Her voice is tight. It appears they have some sort of stand-off, but finally my uncle hangs the keys back on the hook, sets the chair upright, and takes a seat again.

My aunt glances back at the screen. "Austin, love…" Her tone softens. "I really wish you hadn’t been dealing with this alone. This explains a lot, but my heart is broken that it’s happened in the first place. I will say, it sounds like you’ve already been given the best advice. I agree with the girls—change your number. But I think it’s time I talk to you and Cassie about some changes that are happening.” She looks over at Uncle Brad and back at the screen. “We have a new police chief. Your dad’s buddy retired.”

My uncle speaks up. “Your dad doesn’t have any sway with this new chief. He’s young and he’s nobody’s fool.”

I sit, blinking at the screen as the meaning behind their words sinks in. “Are you guys saying she might get out?” My voice is rough, barely above a whisper.

“Things are looking up. I’ve been talking to your mom. Not as often as I’d like, but sometimes when he’s gone to work she’ll text me and I’ll go over to visit her.” My aunt looks back and forth between my sister and me. “I bought her a second phone to start documenting everything so we can build a case against him, but both of you need to know how scared she is. This isn’t easy for her to do. But she’s doing it.”

I’m floored by what I’m hearing. For the first time in my life, a spark of hope flickers. I’ve always known deep down my mother doesn’t want to live like this, but I never thought I’d see the day that she’d get out of that nightmare.

I guess since we’re laying it all out there, I might as well tell them about therapy. Up until now, only Penny knows I’ve talked to a therapist. I’m not ashamed I’m going, but it feels very private.

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