I steeled myself against the tears, like I always did. I’d figure it out. Would have to. My father didn’t see me as an asset. I’d just have to convince him otherwise. Brock didn’t have his master’s degree. It was the one area I could trump him in. Someday. Maybe, someday, my father would see my value.
Jack’s words flashed in my mind. Everything had a value and worth. Looked like I needed to up my profit margin.
“I didn’t know we were expecting another for brunch,” Anita said, her heels clicking as she walked toward us.
“Lana’s not staying,” my father replied quickly. “Just came to say hello.”
“Oh, shame you can’t stay. Brock will be here. You two could catch up.” The cynicism in her voice was enough to make me want to wretch. It was no secret she hated me. Even though I hadn’t said a word about Brock since the night he hurt me, I still had to face her, face everyone, alone in the truth.
“Darling, can you check the quiche?” Anita said, and my father didn’t even say goodbye. Just scurried off like a lap dog, leaving me to stare down evil incarnate. “Lana, I know Brock’s promotion must be hard for you, but surely you two can find a way to get along. This sibling rivalry must end. Understand?”
I bit the inside of my cheek. I understood. I’d understood for a decade now. Like a fool, I’d come here thinking my father would be on my side in this. Whether they painted the past with words like “sibling rivalry” or “issues,” the fact that Brock hurt me remained unknowledgeable. And so, the dance continued.
A part of me thought of my father as a victim along with me. Maybe it was easier for me to bear it that way. He never used to be like this. Of course, that was when I was very young, before he met Anita. No matter what, I loved him. Once, he had loved me back. He had thought of me as his little girl and fought for me after my mother divorced him.
But that was a long time ago. Funny how feelings could be beaten out of you and replaced with hate, anger, and fear.
“You have a good day,” I said in a slow, fluid tone. No way would I let her see me tremble, see my mind work, or see a shudder of fear race over my spine every time I saw her face or heard her son’s name.
She smiled, the crow’s feet around her eyes squinting.
“You too, Lana. Good luck with the job hunt.”
I turned and walked out of the house. At least I wouldn’t have Brock controlling me.
For all the games I didn’t play, why did I feel like I just lost once again?
~
I slammed my laptop shut. No emails, no messages, and not a single response about any job I’d applied for over the past week.
“Still no luck with the job hunt?” Harper asked.
“Nothing yet.”
I’d quit my father’s firm when I walked out of his home last weekend. Seven days had passed, and not a single call or email back. Not from potential employers, or from Jack, for that matter.
“I bet everything is slow because it’s the Fourth of July weekend. Lots of people take time off before and after. Maybe you’ll hear something next week?”
I appreciated Harper’s attempt to look on the bright side. The holiday probably played a part. “I don’t think I can last another week unemployed.” Even if I got hired, or an interview, the process and paperwork took time. It then took more time to get the first paycheck.
“I was hoping to start a job this coming week.” Things weren’t looking hopeful for that, and even less hopeful for Jack calling. I was trying not to dwell on that too much, though it was clear by now that he had no interest in seeing me again.
“We’ll figure something out,” Harper said, curling up on the couch. Her tone was soft, and she glanced away like she had a trick up her sleeve. Unless she started paying me to be her roommate, I was in trouble.
“In the meantime,” she said, grabbing her cell phone and scrolling through it. “Tell me more about last weekend. You met a hottie and stared down your father and the evil bitch, but you never gave details.”
“Not many details to give.” I poured myself a cup of coffee.
It was still technically the morning, and I hadn’t had my caffeine fix yet. This week had given me lots of time to think. I’d made the right decision in leaving the firm, and the only time I had to go into Denver was to apply for jobs. Working there over the summer was one thing, but I liked that Golden was a small, cheery town and had an amazing grad school. It was more my speed than the city.
Going to work at my dad’s company had always been a goal of mine. The path in getting there was the tricky part. Especially since he kept adding to the list of things I needed to do in order to make “associate.” Things Brock never had to do.
“How about you dish about the fun stuff? Like, was this hottie a good kisser?” Harper asked, flicking the blinds with her finger, peering at the quiet fire station across the street.
I sat in the oversized chair opposite from her and pulled my knees to my chest. “Yes.”
She frowned at me. “That’s it? That’s all you’re saying?”