Silence filled the room until, eventually, I lifted my head to ask him, “How long have you got to pay it?”
“One week,” he whispered just loud enough for me to hear.
Holy shit.
My heart almost beat out of my chest and fear sliced through me. There was no way we could come up with that kind of money in a week. But I wasn’t the type of woman to stare defeat in the face and throw in the towel without a fight.
I got my shit together and stood. “Leave it with me, Dad. I’ll talk to some people.”
Hope flitted across his face. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. But this only happens if you’re going to admit you have a problem and get some help for it.” I stared hard at him, waiting.
He hesitated for a moment and I stilled. Surely he wouldn’t deny his problem any longer? But then again, my father was a stubborn and proud man, and he’d lived in denial for a long time now.
Relief filled me when he finally spoke. “Yes, I have a problem. I don’t know how or where to get help but I will find it.” The brokenness in his voice told me everything I needed to know. He’d hit rock bottom. And as much as that pained me, it was possibly the best thing for him because now, finally, he would search for a way out.
“Dad, I’m a counsellor. Remember? I’ll find you someone who will help you.”
His eyebrows drew together in a frown. “I thought you only counselled kids.”
“I do, but I know other counsellors.”
Nodding, he murmured, “Okay, Evie, you find me someone and I’ll work with them.” He paused for a moment before adding, “I know I’ve let you down over the years and that I’ve never admitted my addiction... but I need things to change. I want my life back.” His voice cracked and he stole another piece of my heart. We’d all lost so much back then but my father had lost the most.
“I know, Dad. We all want you to have your life back,” I said softly.
His eyes reached deep inside me and he whispered, “Thank you.”
***
I left Dad’s house and drove around in circles for a while, thinking. Wondering where the hell I would find ten grand. Eventually, I found myself on my sister’s doorstep. She answered the door, looking a little bewildered.
“Evie! Come in,” she said, ushering me into her home.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, because she really did seem frazzled.
“I’ll tell you over a drink,” she replied and waved her hand, indicating I should enter.
Julie was two years older than me and lived alone. I hadn’t been to her house in years but it didn’t appear to have changed much. She still had the cream walls she seemed to love, the country style wood furniture I couldn’t stand, but that she adored, and plants scattered everywhere. Her home had that lived-in feel, though, and I loved that.
She took me into her kitchen and offered me coffee. “Have you just finished work now?” she asked, glancing at the clock that read seven thirty.
I shook my head. “No, I finished hours ago but I went to see Dad and have been driving around ever since.”
Her eyes widened. “Shit, that doesn’t sound good. We definitely need coffee for this . . . or perhaps something stronger?”
“Coffee is good, thanks.”
She got her Nespresso going and said, “Spill. Tell me what he’s done now.”
I sighed and sat on one of her bar stools, slumping onto the counter. “He has gotten himself into debt again and has one week to pay back the money. I told him I would help him find it. The good news is that he’s finally realised he needs help.”
My words caused her to still and stare at me in shock. “What the hell will happen if you don’t?”
My heart rate picked up. I’d been working hard not to think about that. “I honestly don’t know but I’m thinking that the kind of person who has ten grand to lend someone to bet with can’t be good news. Especially not if you end up owing him with no way of paying it back.”
“Oh my God,” she muttered as she made the coffee and brought it over to me. Settling herself on a stool, she asked, “Have you got anyone in mind to ask?”
“You’re my first port of call. I figured I’d start with family and work out from there.” I looked at her hopefully but her face told me everything I needed to know. She didn’t have it.
“I’m so sorry, but I’m struggling financially at the moment. That’s actually the reason I was looking so strange when you knocked on the door. I’ve got credit card bills piling up and then today I found out I won’t have a job in a month.”
I reached out my hand to hold hers. Squeezing it, I said, “I’m so sorry. If I can help you at all, I will.”
She sighed. “God, I am such a bitch.”
I frowned. “Why?”
“Because you are such a good human being, and I have treated you like shit since Shelly died.”
Shit, tears threatened to fall at her words. She was right – she had been a bitch, but I figured we’d all coped with Shelly’s death in our own way, and hers was to shut her family out.
When I didn’t respond, she continued, “And now, a week after I make contact after years of shutting you out, you offer to help me in my hour of need.”
My eyes glistened and I smiled at her. “It’s what family is for. Ours might be messed up and all, but maybe we can find a way to put it back together.”