“What the fuck now? I want to get out of here.”
“Vandal, we have to talk about the incident and damage control so you and the band and your family don’t get dragged into all sorts of gossip and bad press,” Helen says, taking the chair next to my bed. She pulls out an iPad and starts tapping away on it. Bitch is probably updating her Facebook status. “For once, one of your fuck-ups has actually helped save your ass. You forgot to change your birth certificate back to your biological name of Vandal Valentine like you were supposed to do. So, legally you are still Alex Dawson.” Well, at least my adoptive parents did something right. Helen continues, “Therefore, all the accident reports have that name because all of your identification still has it.”
“Vandal, next week I need you to come into my office so we can get all this straightened out with you using your biological name again,” Sam says.
“Okay … I’ll call you and set up a time,” I reply. I completely forgot about changing my name back legally. Once Gram found me and told me what my real name was, I started using it right away and wasn’t worried about filing paperwork. I just wanted a new beginning with the name that was given to me.
“Deb is not doing well emotionally, which is understandable,” Aria says. “We’ve offered her a large sum of money to not speak to the press about Katie’s accident, or to mention your name, or the band’s, or anything of that nature, and have had her sign nondisclosure agreements and other legal documents that I’m sure you don’t want to be bothered with. The bottom line is, she’ll be quiet.”
“So that bitch is making money off of our daughter’s death? Are you fucking kidding me?”
Aria touches my shoulder. “Vandal, it’s fine. If it keeps her quiet, so be it. We can afford it. Don’t worry about it or waste time thinking about it, please.”
“Thankfully, due to the fact that this is a very small town and your grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousins are so well known and liked, we were also able to pay a few people at the scene to keep quiet and had them sign documents as well. Also, since the band is made up of family members, there is no worry of any of them talking or selling a story, and the few people that work closely with the band have also agreed to silence and signed legal documents.”
“I’d be willing to sell his story for a price,” Asher says, half joking.
“Shouldn’t you be up on the fourth floor right about now?” I shoot back at him.
“Guys, that’s enough,” Aria scolds. “Asher, that is not even funny, and Vandal, that was uncalled for.”
My cousin and I glare at each other.
Helen snaps her fingers at us. “The hospital has been wonderful with keeping your visit here discreet. All staff that handled your case, Katie’s, and Renee’s have also signed non-disclosure agreements. Renee’s only relative that she had any contact with was her older brother, and he showed no interest in you, or her, for that matter. He almost seemed relieved that she was gone. Apparently she had been in and out of rehab for most of her life.”
“Excellent choice in women,” Asher says.
I flip him my middle finger. “Go fuck yourself.”
“You two better bury the hatchet.” Don stands and paces the room. “We are all tired of it and it’s doing nothing to help the band. This is some serious shit happening. You aren’t playing in your basement anymore.”
“Lastly,” Helen continues, “both funeral homes have agreed to total discretion and all of those matters have been, and will be, handled accordingly. I believe we have covered all of our bases to ensure that no part of this tragedy ends up in the wrong hands, at least to the best of our abilities. Yesterday we issued a brief press kit stating that there had been a horrible accident, and we ask for sympathy and privacy for everyone involved during this difficult time. I suggest you lay low for a while, Vandal.”
“Thanks for all your help with everything,” I say, my head spinning just thinking about how much money was forked over to keep people quiet. I don’t even want to know where that money is coming from.
***
I don’t say anything as Lukas drives me home. Time feels fucked to me, as if it’s been years since the accident when in fact it was only three days ago.