Desperado

Chapter Twelve

In a Lonely Place

"Veronica the nest egg that your father gave us barely covers the rent of this apartment. We can't live beyond our means."

"Are you sure, Mother? Not even with your cushy new job working for your high-school boyfriend?"

I stand bumping shoulders with Roni. "Maybe want to dial it down, snobby princess. You'll turn into Cheryl with that attitude."

"Maybe I'll turn into you. Bitchy as ever."

"Girls."

"No... it's good to hear. It feels good to know. I inherit some monstrous from our father."

Roni looks shocked and I turn leaving the hotel.

++++++

** FP **

"The prodigal son returns," I say feeling the hangover already kicking my ass.

I would regret it and show it but I deserve this. The things I said to her... I didn't mean a damn word. And she's not answering my calls which mean she blocked me. I sound like a god damn teenager. Jug looks toward the glass of whiskey in my hand. Damn him. I set it down looking up to him.

"How you doing? You look good."

"I'm hanging in there."

I believe him. He's tough and like a damn roach. He won't die so easily. "Yeah?" I turn placing the bottle up.

"I came by to ask..." I look back to him. "If you would consider going back to work with Fred Andrews."

I scoff hearing this. Of course, Fred wanted my boy to talk to me. "Yeah, he called me. I said no. He fired me, Jughead. What kind of man would I be if I went back, hat in hand?"

"For starters. A man with a job, trying to fix his family."

That unpleasant reminder that I'm still married and sleeping... was sleeping with a lodge. Hiram damn daughter.

"Talk to your mom." I slam the door feeling my anger toward both women in my life increase. "She's the one who gave up on us, took your sister."

"Can you please just go see Mr. Andrews? He's willing to give you another chance."

I laugh hearing this. "Oh, he's willing, huh? That's generous of him, after all the crap he pulled on me."

I plop down at the table slumping into the wall. My eyes unforgivingly look toward the seat Katie once sat negotiating a deal with me. My mind haunts me with the sight of her smiling firm and laughter filling my drunken thoughts. I'm a fucking idiot.

"Dad, don't you want to see our family back together? Mom and Jellybean could come home. I could come home. It's not too late." I sigh seeing Jug leave.

++++++

I close the door to Andrews Construction looking over toward Fred. I hate having to come back here but it's for the better. I miss my boy. My daughter as well but not my wife. She's the one who gave up on me. Then there's Kat who was so damn patience with me and helped my life turn around for a bit.

I wanted to do better for her but then I go and allow my anger to get the best of me. I knew she'd never hurt my boy. She sees herself in him. Dammit. Withdrawing from my internal torment I look around the shop chuckling.