Desperado

Chapter Fifteen

La Grande Illusion

"The lawyers are coming over this week to take our statements for your dad's hearing. We're gonna have to testify on your father's behalf." Mom states and I look at the bowl of grapes in front of me.

"What if they ask about what he did? Embezzling all that money? Am I going to have to lie?" Ronnie asks.

"Well, we wouldn't have to lie. Just hide the truth a bit. You give out as little information as possible like we have no idea what they're talking about." I tell her.

"But we do know."

"Now's not the time to be a goodie- two shoes miss. Redeemable." I tell her and she sighs at the nickname. Mom seems distracted so I look to her concerned. "Mom? What's wrong?"

"Baby, I have just made a mess of things. Your father found out about Fred and me. Someone went to him before I got a chance to say anything-"

"Oh, my God, Dad knows?" Roni says.

"Yes, and on top of that, the Blossoms are still after the drive-in land, and Fred still doesn't know that we own it."

"Maybe it's time to tell him the truth," I tell her.

"And risk having him walk off the project? We've bet everything we have on the SoDale construction."

I sigh leaning back hearing this. If they knew everything that I've done... I wouldn't be trusted. Then again I can't risk crossing dad again. He made that pretty damn clear during our call. I pick at the grape steam zoning out.

I've seen him do things to people that would terrify my mother and sister. God... I guess I did inherit how monstrous he truly was and how well he's able to hide it. And if he finds out about breaking an order... I don't know what would happen.

++++++

"Mrs. Lodge, this Quiche Lorraine is to die for."

I notice Ethel hasn't touched her food which was strange. "Ethel, are you going to eat something?" I question watching her reaction.

She sets her fork down becoming nervous. "Oh. Sorry. I just... I'm not really hungry."

"Anything we can help with?" Roni asks oblivious to what was right in front of well... all of us.

"Uh... my parents. All they do is yell at each other."

"My parents are fighting right now, too."

'Don't I know that feeling.'

"It's terrible."

"I think my dad had some bad luck with our savings."

I pause when I hear that. My mind races back to the time dad had me look over his papers and the money flow. I look toward Ethel remembering her family's name. Shit... their money is also tied in with ours.

"Now my mom says we're going to have to sell the house. My dad is just so... crushed. I wish there was something I could do to help him."

"Girl, we have a lot in common than we thought. We lost our place at the Dakota. Look, being ruined sucks. But you have your family and you have us. You've got this Ethel Muggs."

I look toward mom's face as she realizes who Ethel really was. After Roni walks out of the room I go in there with mom. I place a hand on her shoulder and she looks back to me. Carefully, I pull her into a hug holding her tightly. Mom sighs rest her head on my shoulder.