Pay the Price

Chapter Four: Bumped Up the Date

Karen and Zoya were rambling for the whole ten minutes on the way to my house. I had eventually learned to tune them out.

"Jenn! Jenn, are you listening?" Karen breathed. "Why would you say that your dad owned a company, and that one especially? Clyde doesn't even have a job!"

Zoya quickly agreed. "You don't know what kind of mess you've gotten yourself into?"

Now, I was angry. "You don't think I know?! Of course I do, I'm the one who made it up! I don't know what I was thinking, but I can't do anything about it now." I said crossing my arms and looking out the back window.

Karen sighed. "Jenn, we're just worried this is all going to flop. Are you sure no one else besides us two have been to your house?"

I nodded. "My parents don't let me have many people over. I guess it's because they might be embarrassed or something. Wait..."

"What?!" They cried in unison.

"Tony. Tony lives across the street from me. He knows where I live."

Karen shrugged. "Tell him that your family wanted to live a normal life so you wouldn't be spoiled and everything. Pretend it's just so your life doesn't revolve around money."

Nodding slowly, I smiled. "Okay, yeah. That might work. I'll go with it." I thanked them when we pulled to my house and hopped out of the car.

Karen waved as Zoya zoomed off. She was fast on and off her feet.

I unlocked the door and checked my phone. It was 10:42. I was safe. All of the lights were off, except for the one with the computer and family desk. Dad had his head in his hands and papers were spread all around the room.

"Dad?" I whisper, creeping closer to the "study." He quickly looked up and straightened some papers. "Dad, are you okay?"

He nodded a bit too quickly. "Yeah, Sweetheart. I was actually just heading off to bed." He rolled out on the chair and stood.

Before he left the room, I added. "You still can't find a job, can you?"

Dad sighed; probably because that was now out of the way. "I'm sorry Jenn. I would love to have a bigger house, and a better car, and I don't even know how we afforded to send Gavin to university. At this rate, Mack won't be able to go, or you for that matter."

I grabbed his hand slowly. "Daddy, it's fine. We are happy with what we have. You will find a job, don't worry."

He wiped a bead of sweat from is forehead. "I just- I feel like I'm letting you down, and Mack and Leslie." He glanced down. "Maybe she married the wrong guy."

"No! No, don't say that, Dad. Mom loves you, and she would never marry you because you had money, she married you because you two are meant to be."

He patted my hand with his free one and continued out. "It's late, you should get to bed. If your mother's awake tell her I'll be up in a minute."

I knew I couldn't say anything to comfort him and silently obeyed. Moms room was upstairs and I knew she would already be asleep. To get to the hospital she works for, her wake up time was 6:30 every morning, except Sundays.

Setting my phone on the bed side table and letting it charge, I settled in bed. My mind was whirling with thoughts about Jack, my huge lie, and my dad- convinced that money was everything.

-

The bell rang to go to lunch. I sighed in relief that chemistry was over. I understood nothing in that class! Just as I slammed my locker shut, a tap on the shoulder made me spin.