Cowgirl Up

Chapter 6- Jake

The car that Lily sent to pick us up from LAX was nice. Nicer than any car I’d ever been in before, not counting the limo we rented for prom last year. The ride to her house was quiet and tense. No one said anything. When we pulled up to Lily’s house, I was so ready to get out of that car that I didn’t bother to look at the house. But when a Mexican woman opened the door for my parents, I took a second to survey the house. “Oh, right. They’re the rich people,” I muttered, slinging my duffel bag over my shoulder. I was the last to walk into the house, and the scene in front of me made my heart twist. Mom was clinging to Lily, and both girls were crying their eyes out. The Mexican woman led them to the giant living room and when she came back she said, “I’ll show the four of you to your rooms.” We followed her upstairs and she showed us the way to three rooms. “One of you boys will have to sleep on the couch, but it is very comfortable.” Neither of my brothers said anything. I turned and realized it was because they were already in the two other bedrooms. “I guess that’s me,” I said.

We all gathered in the living room. Lily hugged both my parents, but gave my brothers and me a meek wave. The Mexican lady brought us all water and Lily thanked her. I noted that her name was Rosa. She must be their maid. My jaw clenched. I don’t know what it is about rich people, but they just bother me. We sat in uncomfortable silence for a while, but Lily broke it by clearing her throat. “Thank you all for coming so soon,” she said and her voice sounded strained and thick from crying. “Um, my lawyer was supposed to be here to tell you all the details, but he’s running late so I guess I’ll start.” Well, this was going to be interesting. Mom patted Lily’s back, trying to keep them both from crying again. “My parents named you guys my guardians.” Wait, what?

“I know it’s sudden, and I don’t expect you to-“ Lily began rambling but Mom cut her off with a hug. “We know, sweetie,” Mom said into Lily’s hair. “They talked to us when they decided.” We sat stunned for a second. “My lawyer is getting my dad’s car shipped to your house after we go back and we have all the transfer papers for school. Everything is ready, I just need to pack all my clothes. And I’ll need to fly back out here in a few weeks when they sell the house to oversee the movers putting all the furniture into storage.” Lily’s words cut through my ears, but my brain was hooked on one thing. Mom opened her mouth to answer, but I heard myself say, “Wait, you’re going to live with us?” Mom looked shocked. “Jackson Michael!” she gasped. “Well, what do you expect, Mom? Did you bother to ask how we felt about this?” Everyone was silent. Andrew’s head was in his hands and Gabe was looking out the window. My father looked like he was about ready to punch me. I just stood up and walked out the front door, slamming it behind me. I couldn’t help but notice Lily’s broken expression and the tears that flowed like a waterfall down her face.

I paced in the driveway. How could this be happening? Why was this happening? She’d know what to do. I stopped short at the sudden thought of her. I could almost see her in front of me, brown hair loose around her shoulders and brown eyes sparkling. I could almost hear her scold, “You’re being incredibly rude, Jake. This girl just lost everything. Be compassionate, like I know you can be.” Her melodic voice trailed through my head, until it was broken by my father’s gruff, angry screams. “What the hell is wrong with you?” I faced him, fists clenched and ready. “I don’t want to change my whole life for someone I hardly know!” I knew the blow was coming. I braced myself for it. But it never hit. I opened my eyes to see my father, the roughest man I know, standing limp and helpless, and crying like a baby. “He was my best friend, Jake.”

With that, my dad turned around and walked back inside, leaving me feeling like the biggest asshole in the world.