Becoming Us(114)
“Then pull yourself together because you can’t involve her in this.”
“Why? Do you think the organization is in on it?”
“I can’t say for sure, but as of now I don’t think they are. They don’t want you back, at least not the people I’ve talked to. I’m guessing your grandfather used his new position to force them into reinstating your membership. I think this plan is all his doing. But I still don’t want Jade knowing about it. It’s best if she doesn’t.”
“How do we stop this? How do we get him to end this? Just tell me. I’ll do anything.”
“Just stay out of it.” He walks quickly to the door.
I race after him. “Stay out of it? I’m not staying out of it! Jade’s life is at stake here!”
He turns back. “She’ll be safe. I promise you.”
“Safe until the end of the year. But then what?”
“She’ll be safe.”
“You mean after his deadline?”
“Yes.”
“Then you’re saying I have to leave her? No! I’m not—”
“Garret!” He grips my shoulders. “Listen to me. Ignore everything your grandfather told you. There’s no decision to make. There’s no deadline. You will go on living your life with Jade as if the conversation you had yesterday never occurred.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I’ll take care of this.” He opens the door and hurries down the steps to the driveway.
I follow him. “You’re leaving? Right now?”
“I have things that need to be done.”
“Can’t you just stay for a few hours? Jade wants to see you. She’s going to ask me why you left so soon. What am I supposed to tell her?”
He gets in his rental car. “Tell her I’m sorry and that I’ll see her another time. Goodbye, Garret.” He goes to shut the car door but I grab it.
“Dad, just tell me what you’re going to do.”
“I’m going to settle the score with my father once and for all.” He rips the door from my grasp and slams it shut, then starts the car and peels out of the driveway and speeds off.
He’s angry, but not nearly as angry as I thought he’d be. I thought when I told him what happened, he’d yell and scream and maybe throw something or bang his fist into the wall. He has a bad temper and when he’s really angry, he can’t control it. After I told my dad about my grandfather, I was sure he’d go into a total rage. But he didn’t. His reaction was almost robotic. Lacking emotion. And when he said goodbye, his eyes were cold and dark, and he wouldn’t look at me.
I don’t know what he’s going to do. But I know what he’s capable of.
My family is all about rules.
Rule number one? Never ask questions.
Rule number two? Protect your family above all else.
Protect your family
Above all else
But what do you do when your enemy is also your family?
My father knows the rules.
He lives by the rules.
So when he said he’ll take care of it, he will. I know he will.
I’m just not sure what that means.