Boots and Bedlam by Ashley Farley

Author:Ashley Farley [Farley, Ashley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ashley Farley
Published: 2016-08-19T04:00:00+00:00

TWELVE

Sam had never seen her son drunk before. She’d known him to have an occasional beer at a tailgate party, or a family event like Faith’s wedding. It’s not that she was naive. She suspected he drank in excess on occasion at school. He’d just never done it around her. Perhaps out of respect for her addiction problems. Now, with slurred speech and bloodshot eyes, he was more than a little tipsy. And Sophia was totally in the bag. Her head dangled from her neck, lolling back and forth every time the car turned.

“I’m not sure how I feel about Luke letting the two of you off the hook.” Sam leaned in between the seats so she could see Sophia and Jamie in the back. “I don’t need to tell you how disappointed I am. Especially in you, Jamie. You know how hard I struggle with my addiction. You realize that certain aspects of alcoholism are inherited.”

“Ah, Mom.” Jamie swatted his hand at her. “I’m not an alcoholic. I hardly ever drink. It’s just tonight . . . well, I had a teensy-weensy hit off Rachel’s brother’s bong.”

Sophia’s body stiffened and her head shot up. “Don’t tell your mother that, you idiot.” She shoved Jamie, and he toppled over, breaking into a fit of laughter.

“Drinking is one thing, Jamie,” Sam said, when he finally stopped laughing. “But I won’t tolerate drug use of any kind.”

Jamie smacked the back of Sam’s seat. “Haven’t you heard, Mom? It’s legal to smoke weed in this country.”

Eli sought Jamie out in the rearview mirror. “Not in the country, son. Only four states have legalized marijuana for recreational use, one of which is definitely not South Carolina. But I’m pretty sure you know this already.”

“Yes, sir,” Jamie said, his brow knitted.

“Don’t worry, honey,” Eli said to Sam. “The drug dogs are searching the Bennett’s house now. They’ll find whatever’s left and destroy it.”

“Of all people, you had to pick Donna Bennett’s daughter to party with. That woman will smear your name all over town whether you’re guilty or not. I can’t believe—”

Eli cut Sam off with a shake of his head. “You’re wasting your breath, sweetheart,” he said, his voice not much more than a whisper. “Save the lecture for when he’s sober.”

She shifted in her seat to face the front. “You’re right. I doubt he even remembers any of this in the morning.” She propped her cowboy boots on the dash and buried her face in her hands for the rest of the ride home.

Eli parked on the curb in front of the house. “It’s been a long night. I suggest we all go to bed, and talk about this in the morning.”

“After church,” Sam added.

Jamie hiccuped. “Yeah! After you calm down.”

“I can’t get out.” Sophia said, struggling with the door handle. “What’s wrong with this stupid door?”

Eli clicked the unlock button. “Sorry. I had you locked in.”

“I don’t feel so good.” With one hand covering her mouth, Sophia pushed the door open and ran toward the house.

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