The Family Screw Up Finds Himself A Girl

Chapter Four

You could not make this up. What a nightmare! Of all the people it could have been, why did he have to be my sister's ex brother-in-law. Philip has been back home for over three weeks now and I miss him. He has kept his promise to stay in touch though, and we Skype pretty much every day. I have not disclosed what I know to him as of yet, and nor do I plan to. As much as I would like to continue with this thing that I have with him it is just not feasible, it would be too complicated, and I don't do complicated. We share a niece together, and Philip has a close relationship with her and Judd. Quinn told me over the phone that even though she is civil with Judd, there is an unspeakable tension between them, as she had a year-long affair with Judd's boss. The Altman's did not take too kindly to this either, I was told that Philip called her some unfavorable names. If I am brutally honest, I don't blame them all for being angry with her. What she did was unforgivable. She wrecked her marriage for a guy that didn't even stick around for her.

Work has announced that they will go into business with Altman & Altman's Whiskey Inc. This has made Philip all happy, "I can come and see you more often now!" He says all excited on the phone one evening. "Yeah, definitely." I am trying to sound as enthusiastic as he is, but I am failing miserably. "Babe, what's wrong? You're not going cold on me, are you?" If only you knew the truth, I think to myself. "No, everything is fine. Just a hard day at the office." He has a caring side as well as being very cheeky, a trait in him I love, as I have a real dry sense of humor. "Sam, I've got an idea. I have some holiday days booked in a few weeks' time, why don't you fly over for the week? I will send you the money and you can book a flight." This guy really thinks he has money to burn. According to Quinn, Philip has champagne taste with Lemonade money. That, I agree with. I saw the way he just booked that room for £1,500 and put it on his credit card. Quinn thinks he is in a heap of debt, and that is why he has come up with the Whiskey business to get himself out of it. "Thanks hun, but I won't be able to take the time off work." He sounds disappointed, "Ok, then. Listen, I've got to run, but I'll speak to you soon." With that, he hangs up.

It is Monday afternoon at work, and I have received various messages from my Mum, asking for me to call her as soon as possible. She never usually bothers me at work so this must be serious, I go to the park at lunchtime and call her. "Hi Mum, what's going on." She is inconsolable, I cannot understand a word of what she is saying. From what I can gather, an old friend of hers from New York, her daughter-in-law has been shot and killed. I have known the family all my life; they used to come and visit us once a year here in London. I used to be very close to their son, but once he got married, he drifted away, which I understood as his priorities changed. He is now left as a single dad; he must be going through hell right now.

"Sam, you must come to the funeral with me. It is in a week's time." I do not have a choice; I must go. "Yes, Mum, I will go. Anne needs all the support she can get right now." I can hear Mum crying again, "Oh Sam, you don't even know the half of it. I'll explain more of it tonight. But it was Anne that shot her!" I cannot believe what I am hearing, Anne, a killer? I don't believe it; she would never hurt a fly. "Mum, are you sure?" She composes herself, "Sweetheart, I wish it wasn't true, I will tell you more tonight." I hang up and go back into work. I am at my desk and I can't comprehend what I have just heard, it just goes to show that you never really know someone. Nonetheless, I will go to the funeral to support the family. Especially for my old friend, Jude, and his son.