Shae

Chapter 10

Beau and I had sat in silence for about ten minutes when her shoulders finally sagged. Her face crumpled and she sniffed a few times. I moved over to her and cautiously touched her hand. She didn't pull away. When she finally spoke, her voice was quivering.

"I'm sorry, it's just been hard. Then you and Kade at the smoothie shack.... And my dad... Why would he extort people!" Whoop, there it was. I stayed quiet while she blew off steam. "Why? I mean.. How? I didn't even know he was capable... " she trailed off. I wrapped my lanky arms around her and squeezed her shoulders. She turned to me and we were having a heartfelt girl hug.

Beau's dad owned his own pesticide company. He was high end and expensive. Many people said he was too pricey, but he did a good job. At least, that's what he said whenever we visited them.. I released Beau and looked her in her downcast eyes.

"Look, your dad made a bad decision.." Beau sobbed. I had never been good at this, no one ever called me first when they needed comfort.. "Beau, Beau! He made a bad decision, but that does in no way mean that he is a bad person. He loves you no less, and he will be back in no time to be your dad again. I'm sure his trial will blow over quickly and he'll be let off with a warning at most." She looked a little calmer now.

"Okay. I'll assume the best. Can we eat ice cream now?"

I laughed. "Yes, let's break out the pity party food."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

My mom came home from her volunteer service at the church. She just about dropped her poster board and markers when she saw Beau.

"Beau! I wasn't expecting you! You're.. You're back!!" My mother's shocked smile looked really fake. I knew she was happy to see Beau, but I also knew Mom was looking forward to a quieter house for a while. I'd be at school and I'd be alone when I came home. I'd escape to my room, if Beau wasn't here. I was often very loud around Beau. I had to make up the noise she didn't make!

"Mom, I gotta talk to you," I said as my amused smile slid off my face. I stood up and walked my mom into Dad's office. "Mom, Beau's dad has been arrested. For extortion. She is going to stay here again until everything blows over." Beau had just turned eighteen, so she could do what she pleased while her parents were gone. No court order needed. Evidently she decided to stay with us.

My mom gasped and clapped her hand to her mouth. So dramatic, my mother. She gave a small 'oh!' and I sat her down in Dad's high backed chair. I told her that we needed to help Beau get enrolled in my high school, and we needed to take her shopping, cause she had to leave most of her stuff at home. I knew Beau could basically live off my stuff, but I wanted to go shopping and I'm sure Beau would like some jeans that actually fit her.

My mom looked like she was about to cry as she agreed wholeheartedly and stood up to get her purse. I walked back into the living room, pumping my fist and winking at Beau. "We're going shopping!" I whispered excitedly. She smiled weakly and put her shoes back on so we could leave.

We went to the local mall and spent like 300 bucks. Each. It was AWESOME. Beau got a lot of dresses, but I got mostly sweet shoes like converse and keds, along with a ton of graphic T's and skinny jeans. We went to a movie afterwards and got home at like eleven pm. We crashed in my room as soon as we got home, with the full intention of sleeping, then we proceeded to talk till four am.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

My dad wasn't home when we got up the next morning. I figured he had just left for work early, but Mom was making chicken nuggets. She doesn't make normal food unless she's stressed or if a guest is over. Beau no longer counts as a guest, so my mother was most definitely stressed. Hey, but they were homemade nuggets, I guess that was something. I asked her what the problem was and she ended up forcefully thrusting the dish towel she was using to wipe herself clean into the sink.

"Your father never came home last night." She pursed her lips. She looked absolutely furious. I had a feeling that when Dad eventually did come home, he'd be getting the silent treatment.

Dad never came home, though. He was gone through the next night too. I started to get worried. He was gone for three days by the time Mom finally put out a mission persons report. I started calling people and asking if they'd seen the owner of Soupe Chaude, or the famous Mr. Cooper. No one had. Dad was missing, and I was scared. First Beau's dad, now mine was gone.

What was going on!?