Familiar Ground

by Michelle Lynn

  “Yes, it’s very nice meeting you as well. Thank you for taking care of my granddaughters.” She hugs him. When she releases him, he walks over to me.

  That ocean scent overwhelming my senses now that’s he’s near. Leaning on the armchair, he wraps his arm around the back. “In that case, the pleasure’s been all mine,” he remarks, bending down to kiss me.

  Although I want so much more from him, we both know now is not the time. “Geez, that’s some kiss,” she comments, and the room laughs.

  “They always kiss,” Dani playfully rolls her eyes.

  “That’s what people do when they love each other,” my grandma says, and Dani looks over at Shane.

  “Like you and Mommy,” she reminds him, and he nods, but closes his eyes briefly.

  “That’s right.” He bends down and picks her up.

  “Do you still love her?” she asks, and Adam’s arm stiffens around me along with everyone else in the room tensing up, as though we’re statues in an art museum, except all our eyes are fixed on Shane.

  “Always. I’ll always love your mom.” He squeezes Dani tightly in his embrace before placing her back down. “I’ll be right back. Jan, may I use your bathroom?” His feet move before he gets the answer.

  I inch my body off the couch, but Adam places his hand on my arm. “I got it,” he tells me then stands up and follows Shane. “Let me show you where to go.”

  The three women and Clark stare at one another until Dani breaks through the tension as always. “Look what Aunt Leah taught me?” She twirls in a circle, and the two Grandmas oh and ah over her act.

  “Hey, Shane, hold up,” I call out to him, and he stops once he enters the family room, staring down at a picture of Cassi on her high school graduation. She was already on her way out at that point, but her innocence was evident.

  Picking up the framed photo in his hands, he studies it for a moment. “She looks different here, but the same somehow,” he remarks.

  “This was right before she left home,” I explain, and he places it back down.

  “All the pictures, it’s hard,” he says, and I pat his shoulder.

  “I know. Are you—okay?” I hate to ask, but if this is about to throw him off his axis, I’ll take all the pictures and pack them up in a box until he leaves.

  “I will be. It’s just other than the ones on my phone, I haven’t seen her so much. All the memories, good and bad, rush in, flooding my mind.”

  “I’m sorry,” I sympathize with him, and he shrugs.

  “I did love her, but sometimes I wonder—.” His voice abruptly stops when my dad walks into the room.

  “Hello, Shane. Glad you could be here,” my dad greets him and holds his hand out to Shane.

  “Thank you for having me in your home. It’s good to be here.” he says, and my dad smiles and shakes his hand.

  “You’re welcome anytime, Shane.” The two men shake hands, and my dad reaches over and picks up the photo of Cassi. “Thank you for allowing us to get to know Dani. She’s a wonderful girl.” His fingers brush across the silver frame, and he places it back down on the table.

  “She seems to really enjoy it here.”

  “She’ll enjoy it more when you’re able to come back to her for good.” I’m astonished by my dad’s remark. He hasn’t even been in the same room as the two of them, and that’s when you see how much that little girl loves her dad. Dani lights up when Shane walks in the room, her unwavering love clear for him.

  “I hope to soon. In the meantime, thank you,” Shane replies, and the two nod their heads in a silent understanding.

  “Now, I need to see you both in the den,” he instructs, and Shane and I look at one another like the principal just called us into his office. We both follow my dad, and once we enter, Shane takes a seat on the couch while my dad leans on the edge of his desk.

  “Shut the door, Adam,” he demands, and, man, has my dad’s demeanor changed in the fifteen steps it took us to reach his office.

  After I shut the door, my dad signals for me to take a seat next to Shane. Again the two of us look at each other. Shane appears as though he might need a trash can anytime. My dad can be pretty intimidating when he wants to.

  “Tell me what the hell is going on? I’ve waited a week for someone to come to me and inform me why Leah got beat up, why her apartment was trashed. Adam, I’ve seen you come and go from this house at all hours. The disappointed faces of Leah and Dani left in your rushed departure as you claim overtime. I’ve talked with Mick. There’s been no overtime.” His eyes narrow at me, and I bite my lip. He can’t be involved, he doesn’t understand. Even if I allowed my parents to pay this debt, I’m not sure it would go away so easily.

  “Dad—,” I begin, but Shane cuts me off.

  “A debt was left,” he stumbles out.

  “Who’s?” my dad asks.

  “Mine, Sir,” Shane tries to lie, but I can’t let him sit here and take the fall for this. I hunch over in my seat and stare up at my dad. The one thing about having a good relationship with my dad is we can pretty much talk non-verbally in serious situations.

  “It’s Cassi’s, Dad.” My dad’s eyes close, and his chest rises and falls before opening them back open.

  “How much boys?”

  “Fifteen thousand,” I inform him, and his hand rubs across his five o’clock shadow. Then he pushes his body off the desk edge and walks around the back. Pulling out his checkbook, he motions to grab a pen.

  “I’ve got it covered, Dad,” I say, standing up. Shane following my motions.

  “I don’t know what that means, but it all ends now.” His eyes dart to Shane and then me.

  “The arrangements have been made. You know if I show up there with cash, he’ll just ask for more. Say it’s more than he originally said.” Shane’s head nods in agreement, knowing too well how the scam works on family members paying back the debt. Especially this close of a relationship. Jimmy will know someone paid the debt, whether he thinks it’s Leah or my parents, he’ll only request more, and soon we’ll never be rid of him.

  My dad’s hands stop reaching for the pen, and he leans back in his chair, clasping his fingers together. “What arrangements, Adam?” he asks. Fidgeting must be in the Thomas family genes because Shane’s body won’t stand still.

  “I agreed to work it off. One month, and then I’m done. We’ll all be free.” I cross my own arms across my chest.

  Dad releases a huge breath that seems to last forever. When his eyes reach mine, all the trepidation he feels to allow me to handle this on my own lingers in them.

  “Trust me, Dad. I can do this, but I don’t want Leah to know. I want her as far from this as possible,” I beg him to not only allow me to do it but to cohort with me.

  “I hate this, Adam. Jimmy is unstable. He may say yes now and then in a week, things will change.” He slowly shakes his head, contemplating his decision.

  “I offered to do it, Sir,” Shane chimes in.

  My dad’s shoulders fall, and he concentrates on Shane. “We need you to focus on one thing. Getting back in that little girl’s life.” Then he turns my way. “Adam, be careful and keep me informed. I don’t like it, though.” He sits up straighter. “Now you both can leave. I have a phone call to make.” He inches up in his chair to retrieve his phone from his pocket, and we both file out of his office without another word.

  Once I open the door, Leah is standing outside. She crosses the hallway when we emerge. “What was that about?” she asks when I swing my arm around her shoulders.

  “You know, just my dad talking to Shane.” Technically I don’t lie, but the deceit and omission is hard for me to swallow.

  “He’s a nice guy,” Shane remarks sincerely, and Leah smiles, nodding her head.

  We all sit down for dinner with Dani the focus as usual. When she leaves early to go play with her toys, Winnie, Leah’s grandma tells us some embarrassing stories about Leah and Shane during childhood. How Shane was boisterous and talki
ng to strangers; whereas, Leah remained timid and kept to herself. After Winnie divulges how Leah got caught kissing a boy at the park down the street her freshman year, Leah turns bright red. I squeeze her leg under the table, kissing the top of her head. “I’m glad that guy’s long gone,” I whisper in her ear, and she turns to me.

  “Every guy is long gone,” she remarks, and it’s like a knife to the heart. Words that should elate me, only bring guilt that I’m lying to her.

  “I’m glad to hear that.” I kiss her on the lips, pushing the shame back, like I’ve been doing since this all came crashing down around us.

  I’ve gone back to classes. Fortunately, Jan takes Dani back and forth to daycare, and I spend the night at Adam’s on occasion to be closer to campus. I desperately miss our old routine and my alone time with Adam, who never seems to be around lately. He’s always working, or has to run out somewhere. Even Dani asks me where he’s always is or going.

  The police have no leads on who attacked me, stating it was some random robbery gone bad, but I don’t believe it. Since nothing has happened since then, I’m pretty sure someone has handled the situation. You don’t live three years of addiction with someone and not pick up the signs. Shane is doing great and tells me not to worry about it, but I fear he’s handling it himself, or worse…Adam. It would explain his disappearances lately.

  I’m spending the night at Adam’s tonight, so I’m on my way to his house. When I open the door, I notice his jacket on the chair and upon further investigation, his body sprawled on the couch. Deciding I’ll surprise him a little, I lock the door and tip toe my way until I can curl up next to him.

  He wiggles under me, unconsciously giving me room. His arm lays across my back and I kiss his neck, which wakes him up.

  “Hey, baby,” he greets me.

  “Hi, why aren’t you at work?” I ask, kissing his neck some more.

  “Shit, what time is it?” He jumps up, and my body falls back down to the couch.

  “It’s three,” I tell him, and he starts pacing, picking up his phone.

  “Crap. You’re spending the night tonight, right?” He looks over at me, as though it’s a bad thing.

  “I was planning on it.” I mention with a low voice. “Is that okay?”

  Then he rushes over to me. “Of course, but I have to work late. Overtime, especially since I just missed my shift after lunch. I came here to grab a few minutes of rest and must have zonked out.” He takes my hands in his, and I know with every fiber of my body, he’s lying to me.

  “Adam, are you keeping something from me? You’ve been gone more than you’ve been around this last week.”

  He shakes his head. “No, baby, only a little longer and everything will go back to normal, I promise. It’s just so much overtime.”

  “Okay,” I say, not believing anything he says.

  “Now, I gotta jump in the shower, and then I’m off. But, I’ll be sneaking into bed with you tonight.” He smiles, leaning over and giving me a kiss.

  Once Adam’s in the shower, his phone dings on the table. Debating if I should look, my curiosity to his whereabouts lately get the better of me. I pick it up and all that’s listed is an address and time. Quickly, I grab my phone and type it in. Tonight, I’ll find out what’s really going on.

  Fifteen minutes later, he’s dressed and grabbing his keys in his hand.

  “I’ll be back as soon as I can,” he tells me, nuzzling up to my neck, kissing just below my ear. “Love those goose bumps,” he whispers, and then he pulls away much too soon.

  “You better be ready to go when you climb into bed tonight,” I say, acting as though nothing is wrong.

  “Aren’t I always when it comes to you?” His lips meet mine, and I snake my tongue into his mouth, hoping this isn’t my last taste of him. He grabs the back of my head, smashing me into him, his tongue demanding as it darts in and out of my mouth. When we break apart, he leans his forehead on mine. “I love you, angel.” His hand moves from the back of my head to my cheek. “See you tonight.”

  Then he’s gone again. I wait until eight o’clock and then lock up his apartment and hail a cab. Giving the cab driver the address, we end up in a nice part of town. I ask him to stop and keep the meter going, but I stay seated in the backseat, noticing Adam’s Challenger out front. It’s a nice condo unit that looks over Lake Michigan, and I wonder why exactly he’s here. For the first time, the thought he may be cheating on me crosses my mind.

  Handing the money over to the cab driver, I slide out and walk over to the glass encased lobby of the condo building. Then I hear hollering in the alley, so I walk over when a very familiar voice alarms me.

  “Well, you must not have done it soon enough, that’s why I’m here.” Tears build up in my eyes.. I turn the corner and Adam has the guy pushed up against the building, punching him over and over again. The dim streetlight shines into the narrow path, and I see blood smeared across the guy’s shirt. “You’re a fucking piece of shit.” Adam knees him in the gut.

  “I’ll give you the money, just stop fucking hitting me.” Adam steps back, and the guy falls to the ground. Digging into his pocket, he pulls out a roll of money. “Here, it’s two grand. It’s all there, I promise.”

  Adam takes the money and starts counting it while the guy pushes back to lean against the brick wall with his elbows on his knees. Adam shoves the money in his pocket, and then turns around and he stumbles. “Leah,” he sighs. Rushing over to me, he grabs both my shaking hands while I stare blankly back to him. “I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t want you to get involved.”

  “Take me home, Adam,” I demand.

  “You have to listen to me,” he pleads.

  “Take me home,” I repeat, and he quickly ushers me into his car.

  He starts the engine and pulls away from the curb.

  “How much is it, Adam?” I ask, and he sighs. “How much is the debt?” I look over at him, so he knows I’m serious.

  “Fifteen thousand,” he answers.

  “Why didn’t you trust me?” A tear falls from my eyes. “I have to know we’re in this together, Adam. Not apart. I can’t be in the dark, or this relationship will never work-out.”

  “I’m sorry, Leah, but this is my sister’s debt, and I wanted to pay it back.” His eyes focus on the road ahead. “And—I wanted to make sure all of you were safe.”

  “Adam, do you see us in the future?” I ask him, and he finally looks my way.

  “You shouldn’t have to even ask that. Yes,” he answers, and his hand grabs mine. He exhales in relief when I don’t pull mine away.

  “Then this is our problem. It was my brother and your sister. The debt is ours. It’s our family to keep safe.” I squeeze, and he nods. “My father kept so much from my mom. I want us to face things together. If Shane doesn’t clean up his act, I don’t want to keep that from you. Do you understand?”

  He pulls over in front of his apartment and takes my face in his hands. “I understand, baby. I thought I was helping by handling it myself. It’s killed me every time I’ve lied to you, but believe me I did this for us, for Dani, for Shane.”

  I smile and place my hands over his. “I know, but from now on, trust me. I’m stronger than you think I am.”

  “I will—my beautiful daisy—I will.” He moves closer, and his lips brush against mine. “I’ll never keep anything from you again, I promise.” His honey-colored, glossy eyes tells me he won’t.

  I’m enjoying his lips on mine with none of the hesitation I’ve felt the past week, when there’s a loud knock on his window. When Adam turns around, a flashlight shines into the car, and I spot the light blue uniformed shirt. “Shit,” Adam mumbles and rolls down his window.

  “Adam McAllister?” the police officer asks.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “This detective would like to talk to you. I’ll be leading the way, and the unmarked car will be following you, so don’t veer away.” He hands Adam a business card and walks back to his car. Tu
rning around, I see it’s an undercover car, no lights on top or markings on the hood.

  Adam reads the card and then looks up at me, our eyes both displaying the worried look of what all this means.

  Leah’s hand is clasped tightly in mine as we follow the officer through the linoleum-floored hallways. She keeps peeking over at me out of the corner of her eyes, and I so want to assure her everything is fine. I want to tell her, I got this covered, she has nothing to worry about, but I can’t. I can barely look her in the eye with the thought I’ve only caused us more trouble ponding in my head. My only saving grace right now is if they had something, they would have arrested me. One problem is, the two grand I had Leah shove in a McDonalds Happy Meal bag and hide under her seat isn’t leaving my mind. If they ask to search, they’ll find it and wonder why I’ve got so much cash. All the excuses of not having a bank account or anything else they could certainly prove me wrong on floats around in my brain.

  The officer stops by a door and opens it up to a table with four chairs positioned around it. “Take a seat. Detective Hendrick will be in,” he says, and once we enter the door shuts with a loud bang, bouncing off each of the four empty walls.

  Leah takes a seat first and crosses her legs. Her fingers automatically digging into each other, picking at that damn skin. When I sit down into the seat next to her, I grab her hand, unable to see her nervousness, even if my leg can’t stop bobbing up and down. Silence encases us until the door opens again.

  A man shorter in stature, dressed in slacks and a button down walks in bearing a smile. What the hell is the smile about? As he walks to the table, my eyes fixate on his badge hanging off his belt as well as his gun. The seriousness of this situation isn’t lost on me or, from what I can tell, Leah either.

  “Hi, Adam. You don’t mind if I call you that, right?” Detective Hendrick, at least that’s who I assume he is, asks.

  “No, sir,” I reply quick and friendly.