Family Bonds

Chapter 10, Episode 1

Chet turned into the house when Jane's car was no longer visible.

Ashley joined him on the porch, a plate of cake in her hand.

"Did Jane say anything, Ash? She just left," Chet said. "Wouldn't tell me why."

"She was fine when we were talking. After I introduced her to your dad, she said he didn't like her, but you know how he is."

"Thanks." Oliver was talking with Uncle John, Uncle Vince and his dad. Before wandering in their direction, Chet texted Jane but received no reply.

He mother thanked the departing guests for coming while his father commenced cleaning the grill, still talking to Oliver and Uncle Vince.

"What did you say to Jane, Dad?"

"Jane?"

"My date."

"Nothing much."

"Then why did she leave?"

"If she did, she showed good sense. More than I can say for you bringing her." The man turned his back on Chet, as he concentrated on the grill.

"What do you mean by that? Did you ask her to leave? She was my guest."

"Look, Chet, I know why she likes you. And told her so. Maybe she didn't like the truth. I warned you to be careful who you go out with. She's local trash. Not worth your time. You can do a lot better than someone like her."

Without thinking past his building rage, Chet shoved his father in the chest, hard. The older man staggered against the nearby table, and glared at him, his voice low and menacing. "You know better than that, boy. You're better off without her. If she saw that for herself, count yourself lucky."

Chet's howl of outrage turned the heads of the guests seated near the house.

Oliver gripped Chet's arm. "Stop. Hitting him won't do any good. Come with me."

Uncle Vince and Eddie surrounded his father and held him back from charging Chet, as anger sparked in the older man's eyes.

Chet reluctantly allowed Oliver to pull him away.

"We'll talk." Oliver motioned to his wife. "Stay here with Trish, Helen." Oliver walked Chet across the lawn, taking the long way to his car. "Tell me what happened."

Chet shook his head. "Dad must have said something, Jane left. In tears. Wouldn't talk to me. I hate to think what he said. What if she refuses to see me?" He looked at his father. "It was a mistake to bring her just so Dad could insult her. Otherwise, why would she have left?" Chet clenched his fists. "I can hardly stand to be around him."

"Look at me." Oliver's calm forced Chet to stop pacing. "You really like this girl."

"Never would have brought her here if I'd known he was going to treat her badly. She probably hates me."

"If she has feelings for you, I'm sure you can get past this. If she can't, it's best you know now."

Chet looked at the attorney, then glared in the direction of the men clustered around the grill.

Oliver added, "Calm down before you see her. Talk to her when you're not upset."

Chet left the house without saying good-bye. He threw himself into his car, headed toward his apartment. Slamming his foot on the brake, he drove to Jane's house. The windows were dark, and his stomach clutched. Where is she? He drove into town, stopped at the nearest convenience store, bought a card and wrote a note.