The Terms Duet

by Rowe, Ruby

  “I think I want to be called Nana. Liam, would you like to call me Nana?”

  Say what?

  “OK, let’s give him a little space,” I say.

  “Camilla, it’s lovely to see you again,” Mother says. “You birthed a handsome, young man.”

  Lord, it’s going to be a long evening.

  “Oh, I think he was blessed with the fabulous Burke genes more than anything,” my girl replies, being gracious as always.

  “Irene’s still preparing our dinner, so let’s move to the living room.” Taking Liam’s hand, Camilla leads us down the hall.

  “Look how cute he is, James.”

  “I see, dear.”

  Once we’re inside, Liam runs over to the coffee table.

  “I helped make you snacks,” he announces, pointing to a tray.

  “You did? Well, that was very kind of you,” Mother replies before she picks up a cracker.

  “There’s cheese, too. Momma says it makes your bones stwong.”

  My father lets out a hearty laugh, and Mother grins.

  “Well, I guess I need a piece to go on my cracker then.” Sitting down on the sofa, she looks at me with glassy eyes, and I can’t recall a time she appeared prouder.

  This is why it was important to me to tell her Liam was my child, and I couldn’t be more thankful it’s the truth.

  Camilla

  Our dinner is delicious. Irene prepared seared scallops and shrimp in a creamy alfredo sauce over a bed of noodles. Liam’s having the same, but she fixed him his own side of macaroni and cheese.

  Estella informed Liam that she brought him a present and will retrieve it from the car if he eats most of his dinner. The only problem with that is he’s scarfing down his meal to make that happen faster, so naturally, he’ll end up with a bellyache.

  “Camilla, how is school going?” Estella asks.

  “Great, but I need to find a place to do an internship. Do you have any suggestions?”

  “Hmm … since you’re passionate about helping the hungry, would you be interested in working at a food pantry? I’m on the board for one here in Denver.”

  “That sounds perfect.”

  “Wonderful. We’ll get it set up right away. The staff consists of mainly volunteers, and you can work as many hours as you’d like.”

  I look at Ellis with a smile, but he meets it with a frown.

  “Oh, this is exciting,” Estella adds. “This will give me an excuse to put a press release in the paper to draw more attention to the pantry. I’ll announce your arrival and add a photo, too, and maybe that will get us some new sponsors.”

  “Oh, no, I can’t be in the newspaper. I mean, I’d rather you wait until I’ve accomplished something to earn the recognition.”

  She waves her hand my way. “Don’t be modest.”

  “Mother, she doesn’t wish to be in the paper.” Ellis’s tone and narrowing gaze challenge her, and I sense our dinner is going south.

  Irene enters just in time. “Irene, would you mind serving dessert now?” he asks her.

  “Yes, sir, right away.”

  “I really want my present,” Liam says.

  “Son, why don’t you and I go to the car to get it,” James says to Ellis with raised eyebrows.

  “Can I go?” Liam asks excitedly.

  Sensing that James wants a moment alone with Ellis, I say, “Sweetie, you stay here. They’ll be right back. Hey, why don’t we show Nana your bedroom and some of your toys while we wait for your present.”

  Estella covers her chest. “Aww, I already love being a grandmother. This is going to be so much fun.”

  A moment of discomfort flashes across Ellis’s face before he follows his father out. He’s brooding, and I’m curious as to why.

  Ellis

  “What do you wish to discuss? I know there’s something,” I say to James.

  “Your disapproval over your mother suggesting Camilla work at the food pantry was evident. I suggest you be more supportive in both of their endeavors if you’d like to keep that fabulous woman who seems accepting of your surly disposition.”

  “How I am with Camilla is none of your business, and I don’t understand your hang up with me disapproving of the endless hours my mother has given to her community, rather than to her family.”

  My father leans back against his black Cadillac. He’s in a dark grey button-up shirt that draws attention to his light grey hair. He nervously brushes the front of it back with his fingers.

  “Contrary to your belief, your mother and I are regretful for the hours we put toward our careers while you and Tony were growing up. His death forced us to see all that we missed.

  “We’re excited about having a close relationship with Liam, but we also feel it’s our opportunity to make amends with you. I hope you can set your pride aside, as well, and leave behind some of this anger.”

  I shift my jaw, grinding my teeth in the process. He’s sure not wrong about the anger I’m carrying. It’s only exacerbated since I began caring for Liam. That kid’s made my life so much richer, and unlike my parents were with me, I don’t want to miss a minute of him growing up.

  “It’s time to bury the hatchet, son. Your child and Camilla deserve a happy man in the house. I do hope you’re going to marry her soon.”

  That’s the best apology I’m going to get from my father.

  “I’ll work on the anger issue. As far as my relationship with Camilla, it’s private. Mother gossips, and I don’t want everyone knowing our business.”

  “Fair enough. I only ask that you inform us of future life-altering events in private as opposed to say a gala with five hundred people.”

  I smirk. “Sure. You’ll be the first to know and in private. Now, what did you buy your grandson?”

  James opens the back seat of his car and removes a large square package. The paper it’s wrapped in is covered with red, blue and yellow balloons, and it’s topped with a bright yellow bow. He hands it to me to carry inside, and it’s heavy.

  “It’s a train set, and you get to put it together.”

  “I’m sure Liam will help me, and he’ll be thrilled. He loves trains.”

  My father clasps my shoulder as we return to the house.

  “You’re going to be a fine father.”

  Maybe Liam will do what James is hoping and bring us all closer. I’m only worried about my mother’s interference. I won’t stand for her sucking Camilla into her world, which will take her away from Liam and me. That’s not happening.

  Camilla

  “You called it. He said he had a bellyache,” Ellis says as he shuts the door to our bedroom. “He did fall asleep after I read him a story, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he wakes up in the night.”

  “Then we should go to bed. I feel like we never get a solid night’s sleep.”

  “We need to have a discussion first.”

  “Yes. I was wondering what was wrong with you at dinner. You seemed upset when your mother suggested I intern at the food pantry, and I thought you’d be happy for me.”

  “I am happy for you. That’s not what I want to discuss.”

  “Oh, OK.”

  “You panicked when Estella mentioned putting your picture in the paper. It’s time, Camilla. I need to know about your past in order to build our future. If there’s something I can do to ensure the past stays in the past, I’ll make it happen.”

  Looking to the bed, I pick at the fabric.

  “There will always be the risk that the past will catch up with me. It’s another reason I’m grateful Liam has you. He might only have you one day.”

  Walking over, Ellis leans down and cups my face.

  “Listen to me. You’re not going anywhere, but I have to know what happened to help.”

  “All right. Have a seat, and I’ll tell you.”

  Once Ellis has changed into some pajama pants, he sits next to me and takes my hand in his.

  “The first ten years of my life were OK. Not great, b
ut tolerable. We didn’t have much, and my parents fought a lot, but I thought my home life was like any other child’s.

  “Then, my father hurt his back at work and couldn’t keep his job. He became addicted to the pain pills his doctor prescribed him. My mother hadn’t held a job in years, but she tried to work.”

  I shake my head. “Dad hated it. He was extremely jealous, and I guess ashamed that he was no longer the breadwinner, so he made her quit.

  “He started using other drugs and began dealing. He and my mom were hanging out with his supplier and other bad people. Of course, I didn’t understand all this at that age, but I pieced it together over the next few years.

  “By the time I was fifteen, both my parents were using crack. Our home life sucked. My parents seldom fed us, the house was disgusting, and they were mean. They only cared about getting their next fix.

  “Sasha wasn’t as strong as me, and their behavior was almost all she’d known, so she tolerated it, whereas I’d challenge my parents.

  “I got in a huge fight with my dad one day, and I was done with his shit. I packed a bag and moved in with a friend. I think he let me leave out of fear that I’d turn them in if he didn’t.” Picking at the comforter, I think back to that upsetting day.

  “The terrible treatment Sasha endured only became worse as my parents’ drug use increased. I’d visit her or take her out for the day, and I witnessed her decline. She wasn’t the happy girl she once was. I saw her slipping away, Ellis. She turned into this hopeless, lifeless being.”

  Pulling my head to him, he kisses my forehead. He’s here for me without judgement. I know it and trust him, but it doesn’t make this any easier.

  “I got a part-time job and swore that when I turned eighteen, I’d rent Sasha and me a place to live, but over the next few years, things only got worse, and I had no idea just how awful it truly was for my sister.

  “Once I turned eighteen, I tried to get her out of there, but my dad said no. He was determined to keep her there. I got her alone one day and found out why my father needed her so badly.”

  The overwhelming shame and pain from that day return, and the tears come with it. Swallowing, I look past him at the wall.

  “I found out my father had been allowing Sasha to leave with his supplier for a day or two at a time in exchange for my parents’ drugs.

  “Horrific things happened to her the hours she was away and by more than one man. My mother knew this and looked the other way so she could keep feeding her addiction.”

  The veins in Ellis’s neck cord, and his lips curl.

  “Camilla …”

  “Don’t, or I won’t be able to finish.” I swipe the tears from my cheeks. “Sasha told me she couldn’t take it another day and would kill herself if she had to stay there.

  “I didn’t know what else to do. She was fourteen, and this had been happening for two years. She was only a child, Ellis, when this began.

  “I feared that if I told the authorities, they’d put Sasha in a foster home and she’d take her own life. I also worried my parents’ supplier would kill us for telling, so I fled with her. I took all the money I’d saved and got us the hell out of there.

  “I didn’t think my parents would look for us, but I was wrong. They got their shit together enough to report Sasha missing, and it wasn’t long before I was wanted for kidnapping. I couldn’t believe it, so I kept moving us west, and that’s how we ended up here.”

  “Baby, you were brave. I can’t get over your strength.”

  “It was the scariest, hardest thing I’ve ever done, Ellis. I was young and naïve, thinking if I got her out of that environment she’d be fine, but it didn’t work.

  “Yes, the physical abuse stopped, but she’s harmed herself every day since by either getting high to numb her pain or by dating losers who made her believe she was worthless. It wasn’t hard since she’d been treated that way for years.

  “It’s why I’ve cut her so much slack, and maybe it was wrong of me, but it’s difficult to come down on someone who’s already beating themselves up. I was terrified I’d push her away and lose her for good.

  “It’s hard to believe Sasha’s only four years younger than me. She’s trapped in that teenage state, and I think it’s because she thinks that’s all she deserves.”

  I smile. “At least she was stuck, but maybe that’s finally changing. I’ve never seen her as happy as she was the other night. Greyson’s giving her an amazing opportunity, and I believe she’s going to blossom from it. I couldn’t thank him enough, but I do worry about her getting hurt.

  “I think she already has a crush on him, so would you talk to him for me to be sure he doesn’t give her the wrong impression, especially if he’s getting engaged?”

  “I did warn him, but I’ll talk to him again. Listen to yourself. You’re still only thinking about her. Have you ever thought about what you’ve endured?”

  “I know I’ve been through a lot. The years on the run have been rough, but it’ll never equate to what she went through or the torment she carries with her every day.

  “Being hungry more times than not is why I’m passionate about helping others in need. I don’t want anyone to feel that degree of hunger. I visited several food pantries myself over the years, and I’m grateful those days are over.”

  Ellis pulls me into a hug and kisses my head.

  “Baby, you’ll never want for anything again. You can have everything your heart desires, and if I need to build another pantry to stock full of food so you’ll feel more secure, I will. I’ll do anything for Sasha, as well.”

  “I love you.”

  “I love you, too, and you no longer need to worry about being taken away from us. I can’t tell you how, but I’m handling the situation. I promise.”

  Sasha

  Hiding out in the empty conference room on my lunch break, I pull out my phone and call Camilla. I hate to dump my shit on her again, but I can’t keep staying with Greyson. Maybe she’ll have an idea.

  “Hello,” she says.

  “Sis, hi.”

  “Hi … are you at work?”

  I roll my eyes. “Yes, don’t worry. I’m only on my lunch break.”

  “I’m so proud of you.”

  “Thank you. Other than the job being too easy, I like it here.” I would tell her that I’m finding another job soon so I’m not subjected to seeing Greyson every day, but I’ve learned to dish out the bad news in increments. It shortens the lecture I receive from her. “So, is anything exciting happening in that mansion?”

  “Ellis’s parents met Liam last night, and they won him over with a train set and loads of attention, so that was a relief. I hate that we’re apart, Sasha, but you and Greyson were right about Ellis and I needing some time alone with Liam. Things are finally calming down, and we can enjoy each other and our time with our son.”

  “Uh, that’s great, sis. You deserve to be happy, and you definitely deserve to have some weight lifted off of you.”

  “How was your NA meeting?”

  “It was difficult, but I’m attending another meeting tomorrow.”

  “I’ll go with you if you ever want me to.”

  “Thank you, but I’m good right now. A friend here at work is going with me.”

  “Did I say I’m proud of you?”

  “Yes, several times this week.”

  “OK, and you better get used to it. I hate to go, but I need to get back to studying.”

  “And I better get back to work. I love you.”

  “I love you, too, and let’s get together next week.”

  “Sounds perfect.” Shutting off my phone, I lay my head on the table. So much for that idea. I guess I’m stuck living with stud boy until I save up some money. At least I have a ginormous new television in my bedroom. I’ll sequester myself there as much as possible.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Greyson

  I’m driving home from the office, thinking about how it’s been one week
since Sasha and I spoke more than a greeting to each other.

  I get fleeting glances of her at work, and every other evening she waltzes past me from the kitchen to the bedroom while sucking on a bright-colored popsicle. What the fuck is that about?

  I missed Whitney’s deadline to put a ring on her finger. I figured she was bluffing about telling anyone Sasha’s living with me. She doesn’t want to blow our image, but it’s too late for that.

  Everyone is well aware that we fuck around on each other and don’t want this. OK, she wants to marry me, but it’s not for the right reasons. She’s fooling herself if she believes she loves me.

  It’s time, though. I have to buy an engagement ring, and dammit, I’m spending time with Sasha this weekend before I do it. It’s selfish of me, but at the same time, she deserves to have some fun, too.

  Once I’m home, I loosen my tie and stroll down the hallway. Hearing her singing, I smile. I’m instantly happier, and my heart begins to race. I pound on her door so she’ll hear me with her earbuds in.

  She swings it open, and I clear my throat to calm my nerves.

  “Hi,” I say. “Bieber again?”

  Pulling one of her headphones out, she blushes.

  “No, Selena Gomez. What do you need?”

  I grip the doorframe up high with both hands.

  “I need you to stop avoiding me. We’re friends, and friends talk and hang out. Do you have plans this weekend?”

  Turning around, she strolls over to her dresser, and I stare at her ass that’s in black yoga pants. Other than seeing her in tight jeans, this is my first opportunity to admire how phenomenal her ass looks.

  She unplugs her earbuds from her phone and sets both on the dresser, but the headphones fall to the floor. She bends over to pick them up, and I fight a hard-on from the even better view it gives me.

  Her shirt lifts, and there’s a tattoo on her lower back of a ladybug. I think that’s what it is, but I need a closer look. It’s fucking sexy. Whitney would never ink her body. She wouldn’t do anything that fun or daring.