Page 97 of Under the Influence

"Can it not wait?"

"Actually, no," he sighs. "I talked with Carter about the damage you caused, and I've told him not to file it on insurance because you are going to pay to fix it."

I burst out laughing, pushing past him, "Yeah, right."

He grabs my arm right above my cast, yanking me back, "I'm serious, Nash. Your actions, they have consequences, and it's about time you learned that."

I feel the turmoil bubbling behind my words, "Oh yeah, and what would you know about consequences, huh? You weren't ever here. You weren't here for us, and then you still get this perfect family you think you deserve."

His face turns pale, and Daria places her arm on his shoulder, "Honey, maybe you should give him a little time."

Finally, she says something useful.

"No," he growls, grabbing a handful of my shirt. "That's the problem. He doesn't need any more time away from me."

He drags me by my shirt into the kitchen, shoving me onto the stool to sit. His eyes are wild and upset, almost remorseful.

"I'm sorry," he quips. "You're right. I should've been here, and I shouldn't have let the problems between your mother and I come between you and me."

"The problems that were caused by you, you mean?"

"We just grew apart, Nash. She didn't love me anymore."

"So you let her go without even trying?"

He sighs, "No, I tried everything, Nash. We couldn't even stand to be around each other. That's why it was better if we were both gone, and I didn't realize how damaging that was for you."

"Well, I'm fine," I snort. "I didn't need you then, and I don't need you suddenly being a dad now."

I start to stand up, and he pushes me back into the chair, "You're wrong. You need discipline, son. You can't keep playing with fire and expect not to get burned."

I look at Daria with the fire reference, and she just nods, agreeing with him.

"Well, it's a good thing you can do a skin graft, huh, Dad?"

I feel bad for even saying that, knowing that’s how they met. He slams his fist into the counter, causing the bowls and canisters to shake, "You start tomorrow."

"Start what?"

"Your new job. What did you think I meant when I said you were going to pay for it?"

"A job?" I laugh. "I don't have time for a job."

"Sure you do. Weekends, evenings after baseball."

"I have a life. You can't seriously expect me to get a job."

"Yeah, until you pay Carter what you owe him. You'll work."

I look at Daria, getting cookies off of a baking sheet and placing them in Tupperware. This must be her idea.

"This is because of her, isn't it? This was her idea!"

"Leave her out of it," Dad warns.

"How the hell am I supposed to leave her out of it when she's here in my house?" I turn to her. "Was this your idea?"

"No," she states. "But I agree with your dad, Nash. I would make Drayton do the same thing."