Trying Not To Love You

Part Forty Eight

Chapter Forty Eight

                “Where’s Sonny?”

Carl Sullivan looked up from his place beside the fire with a newspaper and a glass of whisky to see his daughter emerge from the hallway.

                “Not as concerned about your son?”

Martha rolled her eyes, “a - I’ve checked on my son already, it’s the first thing I do, and b - I trust you with Ethan, it’s what you’d do or say to Sonny that worries me.”

                “You think I’m that evil?” He’d put down his drink and was looking at her intently.

Shaking her head in exasperation, Martha sighed, “Dad, I would never think you’re evil, but I do think that you’re emotions might take over if you’re alone with him. That’s not who you are. But you’re both emotional at the moment. I don’t want you doing something you’ll regret.”

                “Like what?”

                “Like making rash decisions, throwing Sonny out...that would devastate him. You are the only one in the world who has trusted in him, you saw yourself in him, is none of that important anymore?”

Her father groaned, “that was before he abused my hospitality.”

                “Really? Dad we’re going around in circles, were my grandparents glad when you hooked up with my mother? You fresh from prison, with not a lot to show for it.”

“They were furious!” A voice from behind caused them both to turn around, Lucy stood there at the doorway, “they didn’t really welcome you into the family for years, a long time after you got engaged to Grace.”

Carl shook his head, “this is NOT the same!”

Lucy smiled, laying a hand on his arm, “Carl this is EXACTLY the same. You want to protect Martha from getting hurt again, we can all see that. After that bloody Scott I don’t want her to date anyone else ever again either. But she’s human, and she needs company, and he cares about her. More than Scott ever did. He’s a good man, and that’s all that should matter. Now I am going to bed, stop bullying this girl. You hear me?”

Once Lucy left silence returned, and Martha, fed up with looking pleadingly at her increasingly stubborn father made for the kitchen.

Two hours later, after midnight there was still no sign of Sonny, he wasn’t answering his phone and she was becoming more worried by the hour. Had he left? Had something happened to him?

Sleep eluded her, but sharing a bed with her son, brought a sense of serenity that she needed.

Sonny’s bed was unused the following morning, so Martha cooked breakfast for her and Ethan before anyone else was awake. She was furious with her father, and furious at Sonny for abandoning her. Where did he get off being so immature?

Ethan was dressed and ready to leave when Lucy appeared from upstairs.

                “Where are you going?”

Martha sighed, her car was in London so she had to walk which could take a long time with Ethan, “to see Scott’s father. Ethan needs to meet him, and I have to offer my condolences.” When Lucy scowled, Martha sighed, “I have to do this.”

Lucy nodded, “I know, I just don’t like the thought of you going to that house. If Michael knew...”

Martha stopped her, “he knew...he knows...about Scott, Ethan...he’s the only one.”