The Dysfunction Of Evan: Books 1-3 Collection

9. Sigh...Never A Break

The next few days went past in a blur. Tom and I hardly had any time off set, and the time we could spend together, was spent sleeping. I was excited for my upcoming birthday, my family was coming to visit, and bringing Sassy. 

I went to meet them at the airport. I waited excitedly next to Jake and Grady, waiting to see my aunt, uncle, sister, step-dad, and step-mom. I kept standing on tip toe trying to see over the hustle of the crowd. 

I heard them before I saw them. Actually, it was my sisters shrill shriek that I heard. It caught my attention and I rushed over to them at the luggage claim. She was checking on Sassy, whose carrier was on its side on the ground. 

"What happened?" I asked rushing up to them, fearing the airline had hurt her.

"Oh, Sassy got spooked and Karen dropped the carrier." My Uncle said. I leaned down and turned the carrier towards me. Sassy was shaking, but started crying and rubbing the carrier door as soon as she saw me. I stuck my fingers between the bars and let her lick them. 

"I think she's okay." I said. I reached over and hugged my sister, then stood up and hugged everyone else. I introduced Jake and Grady, who helped with the luggage.

"We've got a rental car to pick up." My Uncle said. 

"You guys can borrow Grady while I'm busy on set." I offered.

"We might take you up on that at some point." My step-dad said, referring to himself and my step-mom. 

"Well, lets get out of the way and get loaded up. Why don't you guys ride with Astrid, and we'll meet up at the hotel. We can figure out things from there." My aunt said.  We organized ourselves and I joined my sister, step-dad, and step-mom in the Suburban with Jake and Grady. 

"So, do you guys go everywhere with Astrid?" My step-mom asked once we were moving. 

"When she's off the studio lot, yes. If she's off with friends or other members of the cast, we follow behind." Jake explained.  

"Okay." She replied. 

The drive to their hotel was short, and it didn't take long for them to get checked in. 

"I've gotta get to set, I have makeup in an hour. Grady will came back to get you guys after he drops me off. By the time you get there all the boring stuff will be done, Andrea will give you a tour, and you'll get to watch me work." I said after they'd gotten their key cards. We said goodbye and I walked with Jake back to the car. 

"James, have you seen this months bank statements?" I asked. I was sitting at the table, a plate of cold food near me, looking at a pile of papers.

"Yeah." Tom replied. He was sitting on the other side of the table, empty plate in from of him, looking at his phone.

"So, can you tell me where this missing five hundred dollars is? I can't find it in any of our accounts." I looked up at him.

"It'll be covered, don't worry about it." He said, still looking at his phone.

"Well, I am worried about it, I need it to pay rent this month." I said. "Can you put that down and talk to me, please?" 

He sighed and put his phone on the table and looked at me.

"Thank you. Where is the money?" I asked, pressing my tongue to the roof of my mouth.

"It'll get covered." He repeated.

"James, can you please just give me an answer?" I snapped.

"I did. It'll get covered."

"That doesn't answer my question! It says you took out five hundred dollars on the sixth, it's not in any of our accounts, so where is it?" My voice was stern.