A Family Reunited
Page 21
A small smile played across his father’s lips. “Make fun all you want, but I’m truly embracing the twelve steps, and this time I’m taking the whole higher-power part seriously.” He ducked his head. “I was really just going through the motions before, but now...I don’t know, but something about that girl got to me. Why she would care enough about an old goat like me to come spend a day mucking out my pigsty and drawing me out of my stupor is beyond understanding, especially when I pretty much abandoned her as much as her own mother did.”
Pride filled Chase. “She’s kind of hard to resist that way.”
A rap on his storm door sounded. The porch light shone on Alex as she stood on the other side, carryout bags in hand. He opened the door and the enticing aroma of sesame chicken filled the air.
She stepped inside and nodded to his father. “Mr. Carrolton, it’s so nice to see you.”
His father rose to greet her. “Alexandra Peterson, look how you’ve grown up. You look wonderful, darlin’.”
Pink tinged Alex’s cheeks as she moved to the coffee table to deposit the bags. “I didn’t know you’d be here, but I got plenty, since I couldn’t decide and I was hungry and I’ve fallen off the vegan diet. I wanted meat and I needed a selection.” She announced the various containers as she pulled them from the bags. “Sesame chicken, moo goo gai pan, Mongolian beef, shrimp with snow peas, egg drop and wonton soups and two orders of spring rolls.”
Chase stared at all the containers. “You thought the two of us would eat all of this?”
“No, silly, but Chinese makes for great leftovers.”
“I’ll eat my fill and take a doggy bag, if that’ll help,” his father said, rubbing his hands together.
With a sigh, Chase rose to get them plates and silverware from the kitchen. He hadn’t thought he was hungry, but the aromas emanating from the open containers made his mouth water. He dished out a healthy serving for himself from each of the entrees.
“I shouldn’t be surprised,” he said to Alex. “As I recall, you always used to order like this, wherever we ate.”
She shrugged as she squeezed duck sauce over a spring roll. “You could never decide between menu items, so we always ordered a little of everything. We never let it go to waste. I remember you always inhaling it all.”
He nodded. He hadn’t remembered that, but she was probably right. Had he been so unable to commit to anything that he couldn’t choose a single entrée on a menu? Yet, hadn’t he been committed to her at one time?
His father turned to Alex. “I’m so sorry to hear about your brother. Chase has been keeping me abreast of the situation. I hear he’s in the hospital and not doing well.”
Sadness passed across her features. “That’s right. I called my sister on my way over here and his condition hasn’t changed. Everyone is in town, with the exception of my brother Steven. He’s a project manager for a marketing company and they keep piling projects on him, so he isn’t able to get away.”
“I’m surprised Robert is allowing everyone to come. He seems a little touchy about that kind of thing,” Chase said, trying not to take it personally that Robert hadn’t been too thrilled to see him last night.
“He isn’t happy about it,” Alex said. “But besides me, it’s just my sister Megan who came down and she came without her daughter, so she’s only here for a couple of days. Becky lives here and she’s been around, so she doesn’t really count.” She glanced at Chase. “Megan tore me a new one over us going to see your aunt.”
Chase frowned. “I’m sorry we made everyone upset about that. They should see that we were well-intentioned and meant Robert no disrespect.”
“They’re having a tough go of it. Whenever a family member gets cancer it becomes stressful for all involved,” his father said. “Give them some time.”
“Well, one night wasn’t enough. I should have waited to call,” Alex said. “But I wanted to see if there had been any change in Robert’s condition. Next time I’ll just call the hospital and get his status. I’m giving the rest of them a wide berth.”
Frustration had Chase stabbing his food. Why did this have to be so difficult? He wanted Alex to take a stand with her family, not against them, and steering clear of them just didn’t seem right. Yet, who was he to judge her? At least the woman always knew what she wanted.
His phone buzzed and he nearly jumped. He fumbled to unlock it. The display showed another unfamiliar number.
“Chase Carrolton.”
“Mr. Carrolton, this is Officer Downs. We found your stepsister. She was with the individual you called us about. She came with us willingly for questioning.”
He glanced at Alex and his father. “And she’s all right? She’s with you at the precinct?”
“Yes, sir, she’s here. She’s been very cooperative and she’s free to go. You are welcome to come and pick her up, unless you prefer for a squad car to drop her at home.”
Chase could only imagine how stressful Kara’s night had already been. “Thank you, Officer Downs, but I’ll come get her. Please let her know I’m on the way.”
* * *
ALEX HURRIED AFTER CHASE as he climbed the front steps to the police station two at a time. She’d been relieved to hear Kara was all right, but concern filled her when she thought about the boy Kara had been with. Chase had said the police believed he was affiliated with a gang. Had Kara known?
They stopped at a windowed counter where Chase was directed down a hall into an open office area with rows of desks and ample activity, even for the late hour. They found Kara at one of the desks, her bright blond ponytail incongruous to the sullen expression on her face.
She stood and shouldered her book bag as they approached, said goodbye to the female officer at the desk and headed toward the door, passing by them without a word. Chase looked from her to the female officer, who rose and gestured him forward as he approached.
“I’ll go after her,” Alex said and Chase nodded.
She looked in the hall and the waiting area near the entrance without finding the girl. Finally, she pushed open the main exterior door. Kara leaned against the front wall, her arms folded. She didn’t acknowledge Alex as she stopped in front of her.
Alex searched for words. “I know you must be upset, Kara.”
The girl glared at her, but remained silent.
“I suppose if I liked a boy and I told someone I trusted about that and then they told someone and it got him in trouble I might be upset, but the thing is that none of us got Bruce in trouble. Whatever Bruce did got Bruce in trouble and I, for one, don’t think you should be hanging around a guy who’s involved with a gang.”
“I didn’t think he was. He has friends who are, but he said he stayed out of that stuff.”
Alex nodded. “And I guess you believed him.”
Kara shrugged.
“I don’t know what’s happening with this guy you like, but I do know that you went missing again today and that really worried everyone.”
A short laugh burst from her. “Everyone?”
“Yes, Chase, his father and me.”
Kara’s gaze swung to hers. “Roy was worried about me?”
“He was just with us over at Chase’s, waiting until we had word of you.” She shrugged. “You should try to see this from our point of view. We didn’t know where you were or if you were okay. And the police had called and said they wanted to talk to you in connection with some gang-related violence. How would you have felt?”
Kara exhaled loudly. “I suppose I’d be concerned.”
“Well, we were. We all really care about you, Kara. Chase was frantic to find you. He asked me if there was anything I could tell him to help locate you, so I told him about Bruce, because I was worried about you. I’m really sorry if you told me about him in confidence, but we don’t know this guy. We have no idea what he’s capable of. Young girls go missing every day. You may be street tough, but you’re still a target, every time you’re out wandering around by yoursel
f. A simple call or text to let one of us know you were okay would have been much appreciated,” Alex said.
Chase stepped outside and glanced around for them. Kara ducked her head as he approached. He stood with his hands on his hips, his feet spread wide.
“I’m glad you’re okay,” he said.
She nodded slowly. “I’m always okay. You have to learn not to worry about me.”
“Well, as long as you pick assholes for friends, that isn’t going to happen. I thought we had a deal and you weren’t going to go MIA on me again. Today was a pretty shitty day to do that, Kara. What were you doing with that guy anyway? You’re still grounded, not that that seems to mean anything to you.”
“I missed the bus and he offered to give me a ride. But he didn’t bring me home.”
“And you didn’t call because?” Chase asked.
“My phone died again. I was going to ask to borrow his, but he was freaking glued to the thing. He kept saying ‘in a minute’ and then another call or text came in that he had to freaking take.”
She crossed her arms. “Okay, you’re right, whether he’s in a gang or not, he’s an asshole. I’m sorry I made you worry. I swear I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.”
“Did they show you the video?” he asked Kara.
She nodded slowly, her gaze downcast.
Chase said to Alex, “They have him on video robbing a convenience store at gunpoint.” He turned to Alex. “He’s wearing a mask, but he takes it off when he leaves and the outside camera gets him.”
“Do you know how angry it makes me that you were hanging around with this guy?” he asked Kara.
“I didn’t know he was doing that shit. I’m not going to hang around him anymore.”
“You’re damn right. He’s not going to be around anymore. He’ll be locked up, but there are dozens of more guys like that out there. They’re a dime a dozen and you seem to keep meeting them.” His lips formed a thin line, evidently stemming his anger.
“I can’t keep doing this, Kara.” Chase stared at her, his eyes flashing.
“Shit, Chase,” Kara said and her voice cracked. A tear slipped down her cheek. “Please don’t give up on me. You’re all I’ve got.”
Alex pressed her lips together. Here she was with more family than she could handle and poor Kara had only Chase. And Kara evidently wanted her family.
Chase’s frown eased. “I’m not giving up on you. Christ, though, Kara, I hate when I can’t reach you and I don’t know where you are. We’re getting you a backup battery for your phone and a portable charger. You have to communicate with me and your indefinite grounding is continued indefinitely. I don’t care if you miss the rest of high school.”
“Okay, I got it. Who needs a life anyway?” Kara said, though her lips curved into a semblance of a smile.
“You won’t be completely cut off.” Chase turned to Alex. “You’ll still have Alex stopping by to tutor you, right, Alex?”
Alex nodded. “It does appear I’m sticking around for a little longer, so, yes, of course I’ll continue to tutor her.” She met Kara’s gaze. “If you still want me to, that is.”
“Yes,” Kara said and wrapped her arms around Alex’s neck and hugged her hard before pulling back. “I always wanted a sister. I think you’ll do.”
Alex glanced at Chase, wide-eyed.
He shrugged. “I told you, she’s stockpiling family and it doesn’t matter to her if you’re blood related or not.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
“SHE WAS OUT as soon as her head hit the pillow,” Chase said as he closed the door to Kara’s room.
The girl was going to be the death of him. How he was going to get through the next week, let alone months or longer with her, was beyond him. He’d be a worn-out old man in no time.
Alex turned with him toward his living room. “What a trying night. I’m glad she’s safe at home.”
“Me, too.”
“I’m not a parent or anything and I’m not exactly a people person, but I get why she did this. And I think she learned from it. Maybe you shouldn’t go so hard on her. She did seem truly sorry.”
“Right, until she does it again. I’m not letting up on her grounding until I feel better about who she’s going to be hanging out with.”
“Maybe you just need to meet some of her friends. Let her have a small dinner party or something, so you can check them all out and say yay or nay on each of them.”
“I’ll need background checks on all of them. That boy, Bruce, looked pretty much wholesome. Who knew he’d be an absolute dick? Hell, I can’t tell her who she can and can’t see. She’s going to do what she wants. Why can’t she just pick better friends?” He blew out a breath. “I’m going to have to block her phone from texting or get her a very limited package. I think that’s what has her wearing out her battery all the time.”
He stopped in the arched opening to his living room and turned to her. The soft lighting played across the angles and curves of her face and he clenched his hand into a fist to keep from stroking her cheek.
“Thanks so much for coming over tonight, and for bringing the Chinese food and then going with me to pick her up. I think it made a difference to her that you were there, but none of it was any fun and I know you had better things to do.”
“Actually, with Robert in the hospital and my family not wanting me around, I’m pretty much a free agent, but you’re welcome.”
“So, how are you feeling about your family today?”
She shook her head. “I really don’t know. I have so many siblings and both of my parents, even though my mom isn’t so much like a mom to me anymore, and I do have a lot of history with them, obviously, and it’s not all bad. They make me insane and they piss me off and I don’t feel like they appreciate me all that much—since yesterday maybe not at all. But then I look at Kara and all she’s been through and how all she really has is you and how she’s holding on to you with both hands...”
She met his gaze. “I see how much she truly appreciates family, the concept, and her actual family, as limited and unconventional as it may be, and maybe, just maybe, it makes me appreciate it a little more, as well.”
Hope stirred in him, but he tamped it down. He wasn’t putting himself out there again for Alex to trample until she was a little more committed to her family ties. Maybe she just needed a little more time, or maybe she’d never be ready. One thing was for sure, though, he wasn’t going to rush into taking a stand on this one again.
Not until he was sure.
He inhaled slowly and resisted the urge to reach out to her. He didn’t want someone who was just a little appreciative of her family. He wanted the whole ball of wax.
Cocking his head, he asked, “What would it take for you to feel completely committed to your family?”
She closed her eyes for a moment, as if pained. When she opened them, her beautiful blue gaze was full of doubt. “I don’t know,” she said. “Maybe I’m just too different from them to ever feel like I can totally connect, but—” she let out a loud sigh “—I’m going to see what I can do. I may not always like them, but I do love them. I know it’s late, but I think I’ll stop by the hospital to see what’s going on. Maybe tempers have cooled.”
He placed his hands behind his back to keep from taking her hand in his. He said, “Good luck to you, Alex. I hope it all works out for you. Please give your brother my best.”
“Thanks, Chase, I hope everything works out for you, as well. I know you have your work cut out for you with Kara and you have a lot you’re dealing with at the university museum, as well as at school. I want you to know that you’re completely off the hook for the gala. If you want to find someone else to go with, I completely understand. And you don’t have to decide now, but if you still need me to go with you, I’m fine with that, as well. I think we can both be adults about this. We hadn’t planned it to be a real date, anyway, so if you still want to go with that, then, by all means let me know.”
“Thanks,” he said. “I’ll let you know.”
* * *
TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT on I-285 as Alex exited toward Northside Hospital. Hopefully, Robert was sleeping and the rest of her family had headed to their respective homes. If, however, her father was still at the hospital, she planned to send him home to sleep in his own bed.
She was too wired to sleep herself. She just needed to check in to see that her brother was all right. She pulled into the hospital parking lot. A cool mist wrapped around her as she exited her car and she shivered.
The night had been too trying. First, all the worry over Kara, and then afterward, during that conversation with Chase, it was all she could do to keep her composure. She was happy to not have hard feelings between them, but his congenial attitude was almost more than she could bear.
What would it take for you to feel completely committed to your family?
He was still standing on that soapbox, but after witnessing Kara’s distress, part of her understood his need for family commitment. How could Kara have thought Chase would give up on her? He was just getting started in earnest with his sister and she had a lot of adjusting to do as far as settling into her family.
And Alex wasn’t sure what it would take for her to commit to her family. She was admittedly gun-shy after they’d jumped on her for trying to find Robert’s biological father and then kicked her out of his hospital room. She’d answered Chase as honestly as she could. As far as she could tell, her family had a whole different idea of what commitment was all about.
Still, she’d see what she could do.
The hospital was quiet, and since it was past time for visitors, Alex waited until the nurses at the cancer ward’s nurses’ station were busy before she crept by to her brother’s room. The door stood slightly ajar. She pushed it open and entered to find Megan asleep in a chair beside the bed.