Page 2 of Valentine Dare

His famous one-liner that his son had adopted, but Walter said it as if he was the King of Boston and his son was just the prince.

As for Summer, she clicked her fingers, for her next course. She continued to eat the bread which was on the table. She’d managed to finish a basket by herself, and now not only was she requesting more bread, but a repetition of her first and second course meal too. Did she even notice what was happening?

Kurt, on the other hand, was trying to hide. He covered his face with one hand, and the other was on the phone. Dad walked out of the door in cuffs. Kurt swiftly followed after him, as he used his phone to record the whole thing, no doubt to publish on social media. He was obsessed with humiliating everyone any chance he got. Then again, it was the society we lived in. Everyone got a kick out of others’ downfall. It was as if I couldn’t move or say a thing, wondering where mom went in such a hurry. My heart was beating out of control.

Walter snapped his fingers. “I’ve got to speak to a lawyer, and Summer just put that fork down and let’s get out of here. I need to make sure that this doesn’t affect us in some way. Seems like Roger’s been doing some dodgy dealings.”

Summer sighed, and she looked as if she was about to carry out the whole plate. This was when it dawned on me…who was going to pay the bill and, more importantly, how was I going to get home.

“Walter,” I called from across the table. He ignored me.

I began to stand, but my knees felt weak. He walked away from the table, and Summer quickly grabbed as many rolls as she could and stuffed them in her purse. She felt no shame in what she was doing, but it was the least of my problems.

I began to sweat while my heart, which was racing out of control, just took over as Walter started moving at a rapid pace. Even Summer was chasing after him. She couldn’t keep up, but then I wouldn’t expect her too.

“Walter!” I screamed out for the last time after we reached the door.

He paused and faced me. “What?”

“It’s just that everyone’s left the table and the bill…”

“Sweet girl,” he said as he put his hands on my shoulders. They were warm. He was rubbing my shoulders as if I was a pet that he’d picked up from the shelter.

“The bill is the least of your worries. You have no house. Nowhere to stay and, well, no boyfriend.”

What?

Okay, so dad had been cuffed up, but mom? Seriously, where was she?

“Jenny, you need to find family. Someone to help you out. We can’t. We don’t get involved in Kurt’s personal relationships.” Walter sighed, before Kurt said another word. Kurt was ignoring me. He’d come back to meet us, but I had a feeling it was to talk to his dad, not me.

Summer caught up, and she was standing so close to me. I didn’t understand what she was doing, because my mind was still trying to take in what Walter had just said to me.

Walter snapped at her, “Get going Summer. You’ve really made a show of yourself today. Eating as if your life depends on it. Keep eating like that woman, and you won’t even be able to fit through the door.”

Then he let go of my shoulders and headed to the parking lot, with Kurt swiftly by his side, not even looking in my direction. I glanced down about to reach for my phone in my purse. It was then I saw why Summer was so close to me. A hundred-dollar bill was sticking out. She’d stuffed into my purse. I smiled, thinking she had shown some kindness toward me, which was a lot more than anyone had done so far. I knew that I needed a lot more than that as I slumped on the stairs, not caring who saw me.

As I looked out at the parking lot, the spot dad’s car had filled was now empty. I didn’t need to go and search for mom. She must have taken it, or the FBI did. She didn’t even bother to check on me.

Walter said I needed to find family. Dad was taken by the FBI, not mom. But the rude awakening of what he meant started to dawn on me. I panicked as I took out my phone to make a call. I had an uncle and aunt I could try to see if they would help me. Then again, if my own mother had turned her back on me, why the hell should they want to help.

I had to try. They were my last hope.

---