Theodore (Xavier's Hatchlings #2) - Kathi S. Barton Page 0,40

the front door yelling. She heard him telling her to get her ass out there and to give him some money. She tore open the door just as he was taking in a deep breath to no doubt yell at her again.

“What the fuck do you want?” He drew back his fist as to hit her, she thought. “You do, and they’ll never fucking find where you stood last. Tell me what you want so I can tell you no and go on about my business.”

“I want you to give me some money. Not a pittance either. I want some real money.” She said as far as she knew, all money was real money. “Don’t be a bitch, Pem. Give me some right now. I’m your father, and you should be giving me some of what you have in the first place. Living here in this big house, you should be able to at least hand over a few things I can pawn. That should keep me until you get some cash on you.”

“Why is it you’re only my father when you want something from me? Not that it matters—you’ve never been a real father to me anyway. I’m not going to give you money. Nor am I going to give you a place to live. You’re not welcome here any more than you were when I lived at my other place. Go away.” She felt her grandma come up behind her. Dad looked at her and opened his mouth. “Grandma isn’t going to give you anything either. We’re finished with your shit.”

“Mom, I’m in a hard place here. I haven’t got anywhere to live. I don’t have anything for food. Even the places I’ve been thinking on staying are gone. And that’s all your fault. How could you tear down our family home? I had plans of living there until such time as you could afford to get me a place of my own. You know, you should want to give me money. My kid didn’t embarrass you like Austin’s did. I always knew those kids of his were mean. I mean—”

“Do shut up, Patrick. I’ve a headache, and it’s your fault. I didn’t tear the house down. The construction company did. But it mattered little to me that they did it as I no longer owned the land. I made a nice tidy profit, and I’m thrilled to be living here with Pem and her lovely husband, Theo.” Grandma came around her and poked Pem’s father in the chest with her finger as she continued. “Those boys didn’t embarrass me. You are the one that does that, every day you’re upright. Get a job, Patrick. You’re much too old for me to have to support you. Not that I ever did once you started whaling on Pem. When Austin arrives, I expect you to stay away from him as well.”

“Austin and Caroline are going to move in there with you guys? That’s fucking wrong. What the hell did he do that makes him so special? Nothing, I tell you. Nothing at all but to raise up two of the worst kids in the history of all kids being born.” Grandma told him he was the close second. “You’re just being mean now. There isn’t any call for you treating me like this, Mom. I’m the good one. If they get to live there, then I’m going to—”

“Caroline is dead.” Pem could tell that he’d not known that. Only telling him the highlights, Pem continued with what she thought he needed to know. “She killed herself several days ago. Austin was ready to join her, but Theo was there to help him get his shit together. And he did. Unlike you, he’s going to get himself a job here and support himself.”

Dad started laughing, like hearing about his brother and his burdens were the funniest thing he’d ever heard. As soon as she had enough, Pem moved by him to her car. Her father had a way about him that no matter how hard she tried to stand up to him, he would end up making her cry. Grandma joined her a few minutes later and simply got in and buckled her seatbelt.

“I’ve told the staff that he was around, so they’d know to kick his ass if he tried anything.” Pem thanked her grandma. “No need for that. I’ve been thinking about Austin since this incident with your father. I want him to come here and try to