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“He’s living with my mother, but it isn’t a safe environment for her. He has some very dangerous associates and has been known to become violent.” After last night, I’m a believer.
More questions flow over the airwaves.
“I am visiting Vancouver. I live in the U.S., and I need to go back. I only have a few days leave from my job to take care of this.”
She says she will call back, so I give her my number.
Maman looks at me disapprovingly. “Well?”
“I should hear back sometime later today. The woman I spoke with thought they could do something on an emergency basis.”
“He can refuse.” She sounds like she might encourage that.
“If he does, then we call the police. He is a danger to you. And probably to anyone else who is around him.”
She folds her arms. “Your uncle is not that bad.”
I pull up her sleeves. Fading bruises decorate both forearms and probably go up to her biceps. She pulls them back down, glaring.
“He’s been in and out of jail for drug selling, grievous bodily harm, minor theft, and who knows what else. You can’t deny he has hit you. And last night he tried to break up the house.”
“That was the first incident since he came here this time.” She looks away evasively.
“These bruises are old? How old? Years? Unlikely. He’s a ticking bomb. And I can’t stay to protect you.”
“I want you to move back.” Her hands are on her hips, her lips pushed out. She must see this as a bargaining chip, but I’m not playing. My whole life is in Chicago. She knows this.
Angélique never moves, but her eyes shine with interest. Now she butts into the conversation. “If your uncle is as bad as you say, you owe it to Tante Louisette to stay.”
I ignore her, then adopt a beseeching tone. “Maman, move to Chicago.”
“No. I’m not leaving.”
Then I confront the matter directly. “Did you take the ring out of the dresser, Maman?”
“No. I thought you did.”
“I would never do that without asking.”
Angélique fidgets but says nothing. Neither of us are willing to accuse Angélique outright. Maman gazes at her, but if disapproval prods her conscience, she doesn’t let it show
Standoff until, twenty minutes later, the call comes through. I can bring my uncle in tomorrow. Fingers crossed, he agrees to treatment while they find him a place to live.
Then I call my copain at the garage and ask him to check out Angélique’s car so she can leave.
ChapterNineteen
Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.—Buddha
Micki
After a whirlwind of relocation,Mom and Dad are in a rental house in Skokie, a suburb west of Evanston. Close enough for them to monitor the construction work on the house. I hide out in the condo. When Rebecca heard I was back, she advised me to continue working from home.
Max and Cress changed their plans and are spending a few days in London after a return trip on the Orient Express. When I need a break from hours of reading documents, I visit the zoo, the farm in the park, the Lincoln Park conservatory, and check out new movies.
When I get the call to come into the office tomorrow, I’m not sure if it’s for a meeting, good news, or terrible news. If the partners decided, and Hayden is the new partner, do I want the pain if I stay on? I’ve done nothing about finding another job.
Grabbing Liam, I fire up the geocaching app. “Let’s go to Lincoln Park. I want to do some treasure hunting.”
