“He better be.” The words came out in a growl. “And he better be sober.”
“What are you going to do if he isn’t?” Sam asked.
“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “I ordered him to be sober. I guess I could have him thrown in jail.”
“You can’t throw him in jail for coming to his father’s funeral.” Sam laughed at me.
“Actually, if he gave him an order from the crown, he could,” Cathy said quietly, and looked at me. “Did you?”
I didn’t respond. When was the last time I had ever given an order from the crown? Oh yeah. Never. I didn’t do things like that. Until today.
“Are you kidding me?” Sam looked between us and I shrugged. “You can’t do that, Max. It would be a PR nightmare. Not to mention it would probably upset Meredith and Marty.”
“What would be better? Letting him beat on his daughter in front of everyone? Or let him call Marty a bastard in the middle of the church?” I sat up and looked at them. “You tell me, because I don’t know. I’ve tried to figure it out, but I just don’t know. What would hurt them the most?”
Sam frowned and looked down at her hands. For the life of me I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.
“Are you crying?” My eyes widened in horror. “Why are you crying?”
“I’m not. It’s just such a terrible situation.” She sniffled but didn’t look up.
“Way to go, ass-face.” Cathy got up and knelt next to Sam.
“I’m sorry.” I didn’t even know what I had done, but I was really sorry I had done it.
“It’s just really sad.” Sam rubbed at her eyes. “And I’m hormonal. And you’re an ass-face.”
“Please don’t cry.” I stood up and took a step toward her, then a step back. I wasn’t sure if I’d make it worse by hugging her or not. “I shouldn’t have said it that way.”
“It’s true though. There are no good solutions.” She looked up at me. “What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “I—that man makes me so angry I snap. I’ve come close to hitting him twice now and I’m not sure I could stop myself a third time.”
“I didn’t know it was so bad when I sent you to help.” She looked up at me and my heart broke. Giant tears glistened on her cheek and I wanted to slam my head in a door. “It’s my fault.”
“Hey.” Giving up, I crossed the room and sat on the arm of the chair and hugged her against my side. “It’s not your fault. I’m glad you sent me. I shouldn’t have told you.”
“Damn straight.” Cathy shot me an evil glare. “What were you thinking?”
“I don’t know.” I held my hands up in surrender. “I’m frustrated and just blurted it out.”
“I’m okay.” Sam shook her head. “I’m fine. Really. But we have to help them.” Her eyes darted toward the stairs.
“I’m trying.” I sighed. “But right now there is no clear path. They’re stuck in limbo for the next couple of days.”
“Hopefully things will be clarified after the reading of the will.” Cathy looked over at me. “Do you think he left something for Marty and Meredith?”
“I don’t know. She thinks very highly of him, but he also thought his son would turn around. I guess it could go either way.”
“What if they’re left with nothing but her father to depend on?” Cathy’s brow furrowed. “Will she stay with him?”
“I don’t think so.” There was no way she would leave Marty in the same house with that man for an extended period of time. How they would fare on their own was another question. But I’d learned my lesson and wasn’t about to say anything about that in front of Sam.
“She’s a fighter.” Sam took a deep breath. “I can’t see her staying with her dad.”
“You’re right.” I hugged her tightly. “I’m sorry I upset you.”
“It’s okay. We knew something big was bothering you, but I didn’t expect that. And I’m overly sensitive right now.” She balled up her fists and looked up at me. “I can’t believe he called Marty a bastard. Was it where Marty could hear him? You know what, it doesn’t matter. If you decide to punch him, give him one for me too.”
“I’ll be sure to remember that.”
“Let me know if you need me to run interference for you,” Cathy said. “I can try to keep her father distracted and away from them at the funeral.”