One More Step by Sheree Fitch

Author:Sheree Fitch
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: JUV000000
Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
Published: 2002-10-01T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

“Guess what, Mom?”

I phoned her first thing next morning. I think she was still in bed. With Jean-Paul.

I’m not sure why I phoned. To make her miserable, I guess.

She didn’t say anything when I told her the story. “So now, I have to stick around Lego Land for a week. Chris wants us to go anyway but no way, I’m not going without him.”

“Let me to talk to Chris,” she said. I handed over the phone.

“I’m fine, really, Mom. Fine. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, he was.”

I could hear Mom’s voice from where I was standing. Chris winced and held the receiver away from his ear.

“No, Mom. Not a good idea. No. Dad probably wouldn’t want to talk to you right now. Mom! No, I won’t tell him to eat mud. Calm down.” Long pause. “Gee, thanks Mom, but I’ll stick around here. Becca’s coming to visit today. She’ll be a good nurse. Sure, I’ll put him back on.”

As he handed me the phone back he said, “Hell hath no fury like our mother pissed at our father!”

“Julian?” Her voice was hoarse. “Want to go to Quebec City with us today?”

I stared at Chris.

“Go!” he mouthed. I shrugged.

“I dunno,” I said.

“Well, if you did know, what would your answer be?”

“I guess.”

“Terrific! We’re leaving in an hour. Be ready.”

“It’s better than sticking around Lego Land,” said Chris.

“But you’re not coming?”

“Hello!” He pointed to his cast. “A long car trip? No, thanks!”

Telling Dad I was taking off was nasty.

“You’re leaving? Just like that?” His face was twisted with anger.

“I’ll be bored out of my head if I stay.” I didn’t look at him.

“We can still go snowmobiling, Jules.” He sounded hopeful.

“Every day? I don’t think so. Look, Dad, I gotta pack up, okay?” Why didn’t he just let it go? Why not take the hint?

“No. It’s not okay. You’re not going.” He used the voice.

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me. I said no.”

“You can’t tell me what to do!”

“Oh yes I can—I’m your father!”

“Since when?” It slipped out.

“Look at me!” he yelled. I didn’t.

“Julian, I said look at me.” No way would I.

His fist found the wall. He punched a hole right through.

“Way to go,” I muttered under my breath.

The house was suddenly stone still.

“This is my week, not your mother’s.”

“Well, maybe you should have thought of that last night.”

“Shit happens, Julian.”

“Tell me about it.”

“I said you’re staying. Stop packing.”

“What are you going to do? Make me?” I couldn’t resist.

He grabbed the handle of my gym bag. I pulled back.

“Stop it now, you two, stop it!” It was Erika. She was standing in the doorway rocking Maddie back and forth. Maddie’s eyes were wide as pie plates.

They were there in the nick of time. I think we were getting ready to punch each other out.

“Sorry,” I said to her. “But I’m outta here.” I shoved the rest of my clothes into my bag and brushed past all of them. Erika reached out and touched my arm. “Julian,” she said. “Your father’s been looking forward to this week.

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