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LILY
EverythingaboutDanielbeingin my mother’s home feels wrong. It’s wrong how she smiled sweetly at him when she was the one who sent me away. It’s wrong how Eric looks up to Daniel like he’s a god. It’s wrong how my heart races each time he looks at me.
“I have some business to discuss with him.” Daniel finally speaks after the crushing silence that followed my confession of why Daniel is in our home. Maybe I’m angry that he isn’t here just to enjoy a family dinner, that it has to be something that benefits him.
“I haven’t heard from him in …” my mother pauses like she’s trying to think. “Two weeks.”
Daniel cuts into his vegetables and takes a bite. “Is that normal for him?”
My mother’s fingers tighten on the cutlery. “Yes.”
She is lying, I can tell by how the corner of her eyes tightens. My mother offers a smile. “If I hear from him, I’ll let him know you are looking for him.”
“So, about that job. Can’t you give me something else, like being a driver?” Eric says, wanting the conversation back.
“No, Eric! It’s not happening.” I bark.
“You’re not my fucking mother!” Eric storms out of the kitchen, and my mother gives me a look that tells me I’ve ruined Sunday roast.
What’s new? I’m a constant disappointment.
“He’s right. I’m not his mother. But, what choice do I have when you don’t try to give him a better life?” I’d normally never air our dirty laundry in front of people, but Daniel is eating his dinner like nothing is happening. So if he wants to get on with his dinner, then I’ll get on with this conversation.
My mother isn’t fazed by my question and has returned to eating her own dinner. “A better life? Pumping gas is a better life?”
My stomach hollows. “It’s better than him falling in with the wrong crowd and doing drugs.”
“He’s not a kid, Lily. Soon, he will make his own decisions. You or I won’t stop him.”
When I look up, Daniel is watching me. My cheeks heat up. I want him out of my mother’s home. Out of my life.
“You got your answer; now leave.” I know I’m pushing too hard. But I can’t control the fire that’s consuming me.
“Lily.” My mother warns. She would defend everyone else but me.
I rise and walk to the counter, taking my bag and cardigan.
“Lily, get back here. Don’t you dare walk out,” my mother calls after me.
Normally that would be enough to make me stop and return to her, but Daniel has pushed me too far. I slam the door and walk down the driveway.
I walk past Daniel’s Range Rover. A childish part of me wants to kick it, but I manage to stay composed and walk past the vehicle.
My stomach twists as I think of Eric. He’s so eager for this life. Maybe I should stop standing in his way. I keep walking until the sidewalk ends, and I have to cross the road. I walk down a side road a short distance, which will take me across the railway tracks and toward my apartment complex. It’s a shortcut that I take regularly.
A vehicle slows down, and I glance over my shoulder. Two reactions flood my senses, excitement that Daniel is following me and dread that he isn’t happy about how I spoke to him at my mother’s. He rolls down the window. “Get in.” He hasn’t stopped driving. I ignore him.
“Get in now, Lily, or I’ll have Eric as my new drug mule.” His words freeze the blood in my veins. I stop walking and glare at him.
He grins like this is a game.
He leans across, and the door pops open.
I don’t know why, but I glance up and down the road, maybe looking for someone who could rescue me. But there is no one. I get in.
The lock snaps, and I glance at Daniel. He hasn’t started to drive; the car idles as he stares at me. One arm is slung over the steering wheel.
“You have got to stop running from me.” He leans closer. “I’m beginning to think you like being chased.” His gaze dips to my lips.
