AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It’s almost Easter, and she’s dressed for it in a pink eyelet dress. It’s her favorite holiday. Her egg hunts are epic.
“Son, please don’t leave.” She rushes down the stairs and throws her arms around my neck. “I wanted to answer, but he told me not to, but I can’t do this anymore, not even for him. I miss you, and I just need to see you.”
That’s my dad she’s talking about, and for my mother to defy him, well, she does it all the time, but not about this. I know their marriage. This is a deal-breaker.
“It’s okay, Mom,” I whisper into her hair. “Y’all may have kicked me out of the house, but you’re always in my heart.”
That makes her cry. Gentle sobs shake her shoulders, and I keep her in the hug. I can feel the lithe yoga muscles and relief on her body as she holds me like it’s my first day of kindergarten.
“I love you.” She strains through her tears. “I love you and whoever you love.”
“He’s not welcome here. Not without proper company.”
The voice booms from the porch, and it takes a big inhale to steel my spine.
My dad. He went from being my hero, my Titan of the Sea, to my mentor, to my biggest disappointment. For a man as wealthy, powerful, and strong as my father is, he sure will break to rules that divide his own family.
“This is my home too, Earl.” My mom spins on her heels. “I’ll invite the entire county jail here if I want.”
“It’s alright, Mom.”
Shit, this is starting a war when all I wanted was peace.
“No, it’s not alright.” She stands taller than I’ve ever seen her. “Six years, Earl, you’ve kept me from my son with your backward ways. I thought you’d come around. That you’d miss him too. That maybe lightning would strike sense into your thick skull. Or time would. But no. You go on and close your heart and die that way, but I won’t.”
“June, we’re not making a scene in front of the entire house.”
My dad stands in pressed pants. Even his golf shirt is ironed. His blond part is perfect. His tan is flawless. His shoes have no marks. It’s all about appearances with my dad. What everyone else sees. Some things never change.
“What about your wife?” I ask him. “What about your son?” Because I’ve had enough. “You always told me a man does for his family, but what are you doing, Dad? You’re tearing ours apart and breaking Mom’s heart.”
Mom wraps her arm around my waist; it’s clear she’s made her choice.
“My marriage is none of your concern, boy.” Damn, my dad can be a real dick. “Leave now, or I’ll call the authorities.”
“For what, Earl?” My mom shouts. “Your mother put his name on this house too. This is his estate. His land.”
My dad folds his arms. “Over my dead body.”
“If that’s how you want it!” My mom snaps back. “Fine. I’ll step over any dead body who tries to keep me from my son anymore.”
Holy fuck, where’s Mom been keeping this?
She’s firing all shots like she’s been holding back, and now it’s time to storm the beach.
“Mom, just drop it.” I don’t want this. I don’t want to upset her. “You can visit with me anytime you want.”
“In that piece of trash by the river, your grandma left you?” Dad raises his nose. “No Van de May belongs there.”
“Cut the shit, Dad. Grandma made you a billionaire. Grandpa died when you were five, and she turned the company into an empire. Not you. She was a widow raising a young son and broke all the rules to do it. And maybe that’s why you’re so angry because you lost your dad and don’t know how to be a good one.”
I march toward him, across the driveway, and up the stairs. He doesn’t flinch even when I’m inches above his height.
“And you know what, you stubborn old man?” I want to poke his chest, but I don’t. “No matter how you treat me like shit. No matter if you wanna disown me, you can’t.”
“No man like you can run this family.”
“A man like me? Like I’m an insult? Fuck you, Dad. You’re lucky to have me as a son. I can love a man. I can love a woman. I can love whoever the hell I want… because at least I LOVE. And that’s more than you’re capable of right now. You have an incredible wife, a good son, and you’re too damn stubborn to fight for us. But hear me out…”
