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BJ’s eyes meet mine, and instead of getting between my parents, I stay put. “Mom’s right. You’re intoxicated. You can’t be here when you’re like this, and you sure don’t deserve to see Mom if all you’re going to do is say mean, hurtful things.”
“I’m just tellin’ the truth,” Dad spits.
“No, you’re not. You’re embarrassing yourself. You need to leave. Now.”
“You gonna make me?”
I roll my eyes. “Really? What is this? Middle school?”
Maverick steps forward, and Clover scrambles out of her chair. BJ said she was married before she and Maverick got together. And that her ex was a problem when she moved to Pearl Lake earlier this summer.
“Mav, honey…” Her voice is unsteady.
“It’s okay, sweetheart.” He holds up a hand and shifts so he’s between Clover and my dad. “Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to leave the premises immediately.”
“I’m not leaving without my wife.” He snaps his fingers. “Lucy. Come.” Like she’s a dog. Like she’s his property.
Mom looks from Dad to me. Anxiety makes my stomach clench and my heart skip a few beats.
I see the moment she makes a choice, see the resolve settle behind her eyes as she crosses her arms and shakes her head. Her voice is a barely audible whisper, but her words bring so much relief. “You’ve been drinking, and you’re being mean. I’m not going with you, Clay.”
His face scrunches up. “You sayin’ no to me?”
Maverick steps closer. He’s usually all kindness and smiles. He has dimples and an infectious laugh, but right now, if looks could kill, my father would be six feet under.
Then Officer Butterson appears with the other library employee, his gaze skipping over the players in this scenario, zeroing in on the problem. He motions for the girl to stay put as he approaches my dad. Logan’s eyes meet mine for a split second, and he nods. Seems like he’s telling me he’s on my side.
Dad looks from Maverick to Clover, then back to me and my mom, maybe finally cluing in that it’s not just the three of us, and we’re not at home where we can’t escape his caustic words and abuse. “I see how it is. You’re all brave because you got an audience.”
“Sir, she’s already said she’s not going with you. It’s time for you to leave,” Maverick says.
“You can’t stay away forever. You’re gonna have to come home sometime, Lucy.” It sounds like a threat.
“Clayton Marks.” Officer Butterson’s voice is loud and commanding.
My dad spins around. “You called the cops? I’m talking to my wife! That’s not a crime!”
“No, but being drunk in public is. Do you own a beige Buick?” He rattles off the license plate number.
“So what if I do? You can’t prove I drove it here,” he slurs.
“Actually, Mr. Marks, I can.” Logan rolls back on his heels. “Because there are cameras out front, right where your vehicle happens to be parked. You also ran over a bike and hit another car, which is gonna get you a ticket at the very least. Now I suggest you come with me and take a breathalyzer test, unless you want to be charged with resisting an officer.”
Dad stands there for a few seconds, his eyes zeroing in on me. “This is your fault.”
Officer Butterson shakes his head as he takes my father’s arm. “Your daughter has nothing to do with you driving under the influence.”
“Officer Butterson, wait,” my mom calls out.
My heart sinks.
Tears pool in her eyes. “I remember,” she whispers. “I remember what happened.”
20 ANOTHER STEP FORWARD
Winter
I don’t know what flipped the switch. Maybe it was the taste of peace and the fear of returning to a life of abuse and hurt. Maybe being at the Sunshine Center showed my mom what life could be like when the person who was supposed to love her the most wasn’t always dragging her down.
