If I Have To

Cloud Nine

New York, New York
April 4th

Kasey L.

I slammed the trunk shut before any of the bags fell out. Calvin and Tom can handle that when they arrive to the airport. I blew out a breath then walked from behind the car. Tom leaned up against it, watching the house. I stood next to him and watched what he was watching. Calvin and Pearl standing on the steps arguing with each other. I couldn't hear everything that was being said but I knew it was about him leaving for Chicago.

Pearl hated when Calvin had to leave for business. I personally believe she was going through some older woman problems. Menopause or something. That explained the moods she's been having out of nowhere. She was always angry and yelling at somebody. Overreacting as well when it was not needed. I don't know how Calvin or the workers dealt with it. Since I wasn't around, I didn't care.

"How long you think they're going to last before divorcing?" Tom asked, breaking the silence that was between us.

I sigh then shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know. It's going to take a minute though. Mom has to get her life in order. They get a divorce, she gets nothing. Dad got a prenup," I answered.

"Unlike you," Tom remarked. I cut my eye in his direction, wondering how I was getting thrown in here.

"Okay?" I confusedly asked. "I don't understand why you're including me in this."

"Because I find it odd that you didn't get one," he continued.

"How could I if I didn't know I was getting married?" I remarked. "Also, I don't need one."

"You sure?"

I looked at him this time around, he kept his attention on Calvin and Pearl. Ever since the meetup a few days ago, I've been looking at Tom weirdly. His first comment in Calvin's office was fishy but I didn't think much of it. His comment now really had me wondering what was his issue. I had a feeling what it was about.

"Speak your mind. No need to sugarcoat shit, Tommy," I demanded, saying his full name. That was always a sign that I wasn't playing around. Though he was older than me, the way I treated him was as if he was my younger brother. He knew not to play with me because of consequences. He was stupid but not that stupid. Sometimes.

He chuckled then turned to face me. "She's worth nothing, Kasey, you know that?" He questioned. I furrowed my brows, confused at his statement. I don't know why Xena was being brought up in the first place. She was irrelevant at the current moment.

"What does she—"

"I searched her up," he cut me off. "Well, I didn't search her up but I had a few of my people do it for me."

"And your purpose was?" I wasn't understanding where this was going. It didn't seem like he knew either. He was just talking his ass off while he drunk whatever the hell was in his bottle. It was liquor obviously since I smelled it on his breath. He's been drinking a lot lately.

He shrugged, "I was just curious to know about the girl. I also wanted to know why mom wasn't feeling her and I learned so much about her and her family. Smart crooks with tons of money to their name. Everyone expect, Xena," he informed, speaking confidently for some reason. What did he think he was doing by telling me this? I didn't even care honestly.