Endure

E I G H T E E N

~Daniel's POV~

I flipped through my notebook, scanning over the notes I had scribbled throughout the day as the grand opening went on. Things had been going fairly well so far, but there was always room for improvement.

I was aware that using a notebook and pen to keep track of everything was a bit dated. Claire didn't let me forget that and insisted I used my phone instead. But writing everything down gave me a sense of accomplishment. She didn't understand this, of course, and after telling me for the umpteenth time, I politely suggested for her and my mom to go shopping before any more trouble could be caused. And oddly enough, I hadn't been bothered by either of them since.

I clicked my pen to make another note about buying more cleaner before my phone buzzed in my pocket. I placed the notebook down before ducking out of the kitchen and stepping outside to answer. "Jade. Finally. I've been trying to reach you--"

"Do you know what that sloth did??" Jade's voice shrieked through the phone.

I winced, pulling the phone away from my ear before returning it. "Sloth? What slo--"

"Your brother," she said through clenched teeth.

"Ah, that sloth," I twirled the pen in my hand.

"Yes. Okay. So, this sloth went as far as reporting me to Social Services for mistreatment and negligence. He told them I was just leaving Bran at the offices all day--"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Slow down. Social Services?!"

"Dan, you better talk to him. 

"Jade--" 

"He reported me to them saying I was mistreating and neglecting Bran! Can you believe that? He told them Bran wasn't going to therapy or anything because I was just dropping him off at the offices all day! What--How--How--" 

My actions came to a halt. "Gabe made this report?"

"Gabe made the report," she repeated. "The social worker read it to us straight from the report itself. I explained everything to the social worker though. I even showed him the binder." 

I waited for her continue before realizing she was actually expecting me to respond. "Oh," I replied quickly. "The binder?"

"Yes. The binder." 

Her words then clicked. "Ah, right. That binder. The one with the very original name." 

"I mean . . . is it wrong??" 

"No, no!" I quickly shook my head. "Not at all." 

"Exactly. So, after seeing that, the social worker realized it was all a bunch of nonsense fortunately and closed the case right then and there."

I hastily pushed my hand through my hair. "Gabe did all of this? He made the report--"

"He made a false report, Daniel. He lied to Social Services! About me!!"

I stared blankly at the dumpsters on the other side of the parking lot. I could hear her words clearly but nothing was making sense. "How are we absolutely certain it was actually him?"

"Come on, Dan. Who else hates me enough to take things this far?"

"I--"

"I know your mom isn't too fond of me, but she wouldn't do this. Now your brother . . ."

"Yeah. He would." I sighed, trying to wrap my head around all of this before realizing one small but important detail. "But he's in jail, Jade. How would he--"