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“Sure.” He got ready for bed. Marie might think he was kidding, but if she forced his hand, Tom would pick Wiz over her every time. She deserved it and so did he.
Chapter 16
Four days after the arrival, Wiz stood where the mudroom entered the kitchen of the neighbor’s house. The Borde clan was large, loud, and boisterous, even the littlest, but it was joyful noise. Every one of them was happy. Well, except his sister, Marie. She was always complaining about something. If Wiz was around, Marie showed up, making little barbs and passive-aggressive comments. She didn’t know if Marie was nasty to all of Tom’s girlfriends or it was just her, but she was feeling a little persecuted. And she’d had enough of that in her life. She’d kept the peace so far, but she’d had enough.
Tom was deep in conversation with his brother Alex. He was friendly and polite, could hold an intelligent conversation, and never pushed her for personal information. His wife Tara was equally pleasant, and their kids were cute and well-behaved. Marie’s husband, Scott, was the invisible man. He hardly said anything but “yes, dear,” and Wiz had yet to hear a no from him. Their daughter Yvonne was rather self-absorbed and vain, and while that was expected at fourteen, she might become a mean girl if she didn’t get a better role model. She was also smart, clever, and pretty; she’d probably turn into a true beauty as she aged. Peter was an intelligent and obedient kid, quick to offer help. She wasn’t sure how he’d survived so far, but his sweet nature wouldn’t last with those two as parents.
Marie’s eagle eyes swept the room, so Wiz slid back into the mudroom. Marie seemed to have a sixth sense for finding Wiz, and she didn’t want to endure another confrontation. Wiz had done her best to be polite, but she’d done enough. The sun was going down; she’d just leave. Maybe tomorrow would be better.
“Wiz, there you are! Why don’t you come join us?” Marie’s voice was cheerfully malicious.
She spun. Caught. “It’s late, and I have work to do. I was just going to tell Tom goodnight, but you can pass it on for me, if you don’t mind, please?” Wiz kept reverting to her old tactics—placating people. Overcoming childhood habits was hard, but it probably made her seem like an easier target for a bully like Marie.
“You sure do work a lot. We’ve hardly seen you.” Marie stalked closer.
Wiz took a step back. Two more and her back would be against the door. She stretched to her full height and stared in Marie’s eyes. “My company has a reputation to protect, and that means me working. I’m sure you can understand.”
“Oh, of course.” She grabbed Wiz’s arm.
Wiz twisted out of her hold. “Marie, I’ve asked you not to touch me before, and I’m asking again now.”
She rolled her eyes and huffed. “Geez, lighten up. I’m just trying to be friendly.”
Wiz was done. “No, you’re not. You’re deliberately doing everything Tom told you not to do.” She brought her hands up. “Touch me again and you’ll be on the floor.”
“Well, I never.” Marie huffed in an over-the-top offended voice.
Wiz kept her voice low but cut off her words, trying to emphasize them and get through Marie’s head. “Never what? Listen? Care about others? Stop picking at people? I’ve tried to be polite to you, but you just won’t stop.”
Marie glared, putting her hands on her hips and leaning forward. “Fine. You’re using my dad and brother. You’re one of those people who do nothing but take, and you’re not good enough for my brother. You’re a freaky, whiny little girl who won’t grow up and join the real world.”
Wiz didn’t return Marie’s glare, but she didn’t drop her hands either. “Oh, really? And just what do you know about the real world? Have you even been out of the country? And I don’t mean a Caribbean cruise or a quick trip to Canada. I mean to a third world country where they hate Americans.” The so-called real world wasn’t fun; Marie had no idea what it was like outside her protective bubble.
She sniffed. “No, why would I? And that has nothing to do with you being a clingy little weirdo who thinks she deserves special treatment. You’ve done nothing to earn anything from anyone in this family.”
“Really, Marie?” Tom put a hand on Marie’s shoulder and spun her around, dragging her into the middle of the kitchen. “How would you know? And who made you the one who decides that for the rest of us? Exactly how are we being used? Wiz hasn’t asked us for anything. I’ve had enough of this. Do you think I’ve missed how you’ve been treating Wiz? Who do you think you are?” Tom pushed Marie back against the countertop, then put his hands on his hips and loomed over her, just as Marie had done to Wiz. Red flags highlighted his sharp cheekbones and the muscles in his jaw jumped.
Wiz stepped forward to the edge of the back entryway, but she was trembling. Too many people, too many emotions. She clamped her hands to the doorway, just so she wouldn’t run.
“Yes, Marie, I think I’d like an answer to that as well.” Pete’s drawl was exaggerated. “We both asked you to have a little consideration for someone who matters to us; some basic manners. And you can’t even be polite. I’m ashamed of you and your behavior, and I’m grateful your mother isn’t here to see how you’ve broken the golden rule. Or do you still remember that at all?” Pete leaned across the doorway into the kitchen, keeping the rest of the family out, but they crowded close. With the open plan, they could see and hear everything in the kitchen anyway. Wiz appreciated Pete’s attempt to keep the confrontation quiet, but it was futile.
“You’re being taken in by this woman.” She jabbed a blood red nail in Wiz’s direction. “You don’t really know who she is or what she wants, and she just bats her eyes and you both come running!” Marie threw her arms in the air.
Tom leaned away, avoiding her claws, then returned to loom over Marie. “What is wrong with you? I’ve had enough of this. I’ve given you money, time after time. I’ve never said one word about your husband or how you raise your kids. How about you grow up and join the real world? I told you from the start that I would pick Wiz over you, and I meant it. Next time you come visit, I won’t be here.” He turned toward the rest of his family. “Peter, Yvonne, if you want to join us on the summer pack trip, I’ll pay for your airline tickets. Or anytime you want to visit your grandpa.” He turned back to his sister. “Marie, you’re never getting another cent from me, so if you were worried about Wiz taking my money away from you, well, you’ve done that all by yourself. Live within your means and grow up!” He turned on his toe and pointed at the door. “Let’s go.”
Wiz escaped into the cool evening air, blowing out a big breath of relief. But that wasn’t good, either. “Tom, I don’t want to come between you and your family. It isn’t right.”
Tom sighed and walked up the drive. “Come on. I can’t stay here.” He strode ahead, and Wiz scrambled to keep up. “Look, this isn’t really about you. Marie has always been convinced that the world owes her something. And she wants all of us to pay her way. This has been coming for a long time now. She’s gone after every girlfriend I’ve brought home. Usually more subtly, so I didn’t have to step in. And while it doesn’t reflect very well on me, I didn’t care that much about any of them. But I love you, and you’re worth everything to me.”
“No, I’m not. She’s right there. There’s no upside for you here, Tom.” She jogged in front of him and stopped. “I am a freaky little weirdo who needs special treatment. There are days when I can’t stand even you touching me, and anything more? I’m not sure it will ever happen.” He could do so much better. She was a weight and a burden.
He shook his head, a slight smile on his face. “I don’t care. I love you.” He held out his hands, and she automatically put hers in his. “And look at this. You didn’t even think about it, did you? I put out my hands, and you reached out. You wouldn’t have done that a month ago. And if we never get beyond hand holding, well, that’s okay.” He shrugged. “Not ideal, but I can live with it. I love you, and we’ll go at your speed.” He tugged gently.
Wiz leaned into him, desperate for the comfort of his embrace. But he couldn’t really love her; she was just too damaged.
Tom rocked her slightly. “Shh. It’s okay.”
She shook like a leaf. “This is ridiculous. Why am I reacting like I was in a real fight?”
