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Saundra leaned forward, propping her elbow on her desk and cradling her forehead in her hand. “Please don’t tell me he was drunk.”
“It came off of him like a vapor. I’m surprised he could walk.”
“He’s been depressed,” she said weakly. “He’s just… he’s trying to work through things.”
“Drinking is a helluva way to do it. I’m telling you, I’ll help with money because I can’t stand the thought of my daughter living in poverty, but I can’t support your relationship with him anymore. I want you to end it.”
“Thank you for your concern, but this is my life.”
“I know, and I raised my daughters to think for themselves. But sweetie, this is not a man that’s worth the sacrifices you’re making.”
“Goodbye, Dad.”
After a gruff noise, he hung up.
She dropped the phone and held her head in both hands. How could Miles do this to her? She’d done everything for him, and he couldn’t just take the damn job? She looked down at the papers and couldn’t possibly think about doing any more work for the day.
It was the most stressful drive home she’d ever experienced since being with Miles. Would he be home? If he wasn’t, she was sure it’d meant he was out drinking again. Of course, if he was, she was positive they were going to have a fight. As she thought about it more and more, she realized she wanted that fight. She’d been standing by him, resolute, supportive through everything. He’s been going out drinking, spending money they didn’t have, and now he refused a job they both knew he needed. She realized when visualizing the fight, fantasizing about the arguments they would have, she needed to yell at him.
She’d just lost her father’s support of their relationship. Even if he never really approved of Miles himself, he’d always supported them. With that gone, it was her versus her family, and she didn’t even have Miles to lean on now. She’d be damned if she was going to take this quietly!
When Saundra walked in through the front door, she found him sitting on the couch, watching TV, a beer on his hand. She didn’t even pretend to care. Her blood practically boiling in her veins, she tossed her purse and coat to the floor and slammed the door closed. Miles jumped, obviously not expecting hostility from her. He looked up at her, sizing her up. Every ounce of her was ready for this.
“What the hell is the matter with you?” she screamed at him. “My father offers you a job, and you refuse?”
“Real nice,” he said, shaking his head. “Welcome home. I’m fine, how’re you?”
“No, we’re not playing this game. I’m done treating you like the wounded victim. How long have you been drunk today, Miles? Where’d you get the money for that beer?”
“You want it?” he said and dramatically set it on the coffee table beside here. “Here, all yours.”
“I don’t drink beer!” Saundra shrieked, her fists thrust down at her sides, her eyes squeezed shut.
“The hell is your problem?” he asked as he stood up from the couch. She followed him through their apartment on his way to the bedroom.
“My problem? My problem is you yelling at my father.”
“Your dad can suck it. I don’t need his handouts.”
“Yes you do, Miles!”
He turned and looked at her, stricken.
“You don’t have a job. You stopped looking for a job. You’re spending our bill money on booze.”
“I don’t need to be mothered by you.” He pulled on his boots but didn’t lace them, and threw on a jacket.
“Where are you going?” she asked him, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Out.”
“I swear to God if you spend any money on anything tonight, I’m calling the bank and canceling your card.” She was so terrified of losing him, she started shivering. Adrenaline and fear ran through her blood, chilling her. He looked at her, his expression clear that he wanted to argue more, but instead he just raised a hand as if to stop her from saying anything else.
“I have a job. That’s why I didn’t take your dad’s.”
“What?” This was the first she was hearing about it. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Because I wasn’t sure if I wanted to take it.” He looked her up and down, as if appraising her and finding her wanting. “Now it’s clear I don’t have a choice. It’ll be fine now. I’ll have money. Everything will be fine.”
