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“Well… I… Umm…” Jewell’s eyes are locked on Reid, who shakes his head. I guess that means that he knows who his youngest sister’s benefactor is.
Taking a sip of his wine, Reid looks straight at his mom and says, “It’s really none of your business. Jewell is old enough to take out a loan if she needs to, and I think it was needed. Becoming a vet isn’t easy. I think it’s great she can focus on school instead of struggling with a part-time job.” Miranda opens her mouth to speak, but Reid isn’t finished. “As I understand it, many of her peers get help from home, which means she would struggle to find time for her study group if she had to work on the side.” Shrugging, he continues to eat without looking away from his mom.
“Be that as it may, I would still like to know who my daughter owes money to.”
Clearly fed up with this line of questioning, Mia deadpans, “I don’t owe money to anyone.”
Across the table, Kas hides his laughter by emptying his beer.
“Well, our kids are all grownup, Miranda,” Roger says calmly. “They don’t need to tell us about their finances.”
It’s an interesting dynamic between the two of them. He’s not really putting his foot down and demanding a change in conversation. If anything, it’s a polite request that his wife ignores.
“It’s been a long day, and I’m tired. I’m dining with people I don’t know while being forced to attend a service for a man I don’t know.”
“Mom—” Reid says.
“Careful what you say,” Mia hisses. “Mark was a good man, and he deserves your respect. I can’t believe I have to spell that out for you, mother. If you can’t find it in your heart to do it for me, then do it because he’s the reason you didn’t have to help me for the past almost ten years.” Each word is clearly enunciated and coated in a layer of coldness that could rival our current weather.
Miranda scoffs and pushes her chair away from the table. “Don’t you dare speak to me like that, you ungrateful—”
“That’s enough!” Alec thunders. “What has she ever done to you to deserve to be spoken to like that?”
It’s a valid fucking question if I ever heard one. Despite my years of training, I’m finding it hard to sit here without saying anything, and I’ve had to keep telling myself that it’s not up to me to decide when enough is enough.
“I came here tonight to spend time with my family and ensure everyone knows about the plans for tomorrow. If you can’t even find it in your heart to be decent during a family meal, then I have no choice but to uninvite you to Mark’s funeral. You’re no longer welcome, Miranda.” Mia’s eyes are flashing with anger, only calming a little when I lean across Alec to take her hand. “Oh, and not that you deserve to know, but I’m the one paying for Jewell’s school—because I care. Alec, Kas, and Coen are all my boyfriends because they care. Now, if you will excuse me, I think it’s time we leave. But don’t worry, I’ll pay the bill first—with Mark’s money, because that’s what he would have wanted.”
Kas, Alec, and Mia all stand simultaneously. Then they shuffle past her family so they can get out.
“I’m sorry, sissy,” Jewell says with tears brimming in her eyes.
“Text me if there’s anything we can do,” Reid says. “Even if we don’t all act like it, we’re here for you, and we want to help in any way we can.” Oh, there’s yet another resemblance between brother and sister; the steely gaze that’s starting to look like a Hargraves trademark.
“Are you coming?” Kas asks me, and I shake my head.
“In a minute, I just want to make sure that everyone is on the same page for tomorrow.” Mia gives me a puzzled look, but she doesn’t say anything. Instead, she takes Kas’ and Alec’s hands into hers. Then she walks away from the table with them flanking her.
“What is it, Coen?” Mia’s dad asks in a concerned tone.
Clearing my throat, I glance at my brothers’ and Mia’s retreating forms, wanting to make sure they won’t be able to hear me. “Miranda, I know I’ve only just met you, and trust me, I can’t say it’s been pleasant. Still, I urge you to consider how you’re treating your daughter. Maybe she’s wronged you somehow, I wouldn’t know, and I’m not getting into that. But the reason we’re all here is a testament that life is short. Too short to act like that towards your family. No one knows what’s around the corner. Do you really want to be so alienated from your daughter that you don’t know what’s going on in her life?”
Next to me, Jewell gasps, “Is Mia sick?” And I quickly shake my head.
“No, she isn’t. But what that obituary didn’t mention is that Mark was murdered in cold blood. He was shot as he fought to protect Mia—”
“What has she gotten into now?” Miranda scoffs, but I ignore her.
“Mia’s former boss abused and harassed her, all because he couldn’t own her. Through it all, she remained strong and poised, and she never lost her heart. Look, I won’t trade blows with you or allow you to insult her further. I just thought you should know. Trust me, in my line of work, I’ve seen all kinds of abuse, and the one you’re doling out is one of the worst. Your insults and barbs don’t leave physical scars, only mental ones. I love your daughter, and so do my brothers. That’s why I’m telling you, you need to change your ways or stay away from her.”
Miranda sputters, “What?” But I’m done. I’ve said what I had to say.
“I’m leaving as well,” I simply say as I get up.
Two steps later, Roger catches up to me. “Coen, I’m not going to get into any of this tonight, but I want to thank you for standing up for my girl. Even though I can’t claim to be innocent in any of this, I haven’t mistreated her. At least I don’t think so. Then again, I haven’t stopped it either, so I guess I have wronged her.” He swallows audibly and looks away from me. “I’m glad she has someone like you,” he adds in a broken voice. Looking at Mia’s dad, I try to imagine how hard it must be to come to terms with everything I just said. Although I want to feel bad for him, I can’t. I can’t claim to know the ins and outs of everything that’s gone down in their family, but I know enough to feel he has let Mia down. Thinking about how my dad has always stood by me makes it harder to empathize with Roger, so I decide that his guilt isn’t my problem.
We catch up with Mia and my brothers, who are waiting in the reception area. “Dad?” Mia asks, looking at me as though the answer to his presence is written on my forehead.
“I just came to say goodbye. Don’t worry about her this weekend, Mia. There are obviously things we need to discuss, but not now. Your siblings and I will be at the service tomorrow, and you need to let us know if there’s anything we can do.”
Nodding, Mia hands a plastic bag to her dad. “You need to wear these tomorrow.” Then she hugs her dad before walking out of there, with Alec, Kas, and myself following her closely.
