The View from Alameda Island - Robyn Carr Page 0,56

us on the sidewalk together. In broad daylight, not touching. And this was his response.”

“What is the matter with him?” Cassie said, crying again. “And what is the matter with Lacey?”

“If Lacey didn’t tell you how bad it was, why did you come?” Lauren asked.

“Lacey said Dad went to jail over this.”

Lauren nodded. “Yes. Because I called for help...”

“I’m so glad you did,” she said, grabbing Lauren’s hand. “I got a call from Lacey early this morning. I wanted to talk to you, but didn’t want to call in case you were trying to rest. I knew you’d try to downplay everything, say you were fine... And Jeremy told me to just go. I have this week before orientation and classes. I caught the first flight out that had room for me this morning. That would have been 6:00 a.m. your time. I would have called you sooner but I had to change planes.”

“But how did you afford it? I haven’t been able to send you anything!”

She smiled a bit tremulously. “I have a credit card. I guess we’re going to become very good friends, me and Ms. VISA. Tell me, Mama. Everything.”

“Oh Cassie... I didn’t want this to be your divorce. I hoped that in spite of everything, we could one day be civil, be co-grandparents.”

Cassidy reached into her small purse and pulled out a compact, flipping it open. She held the mirror up to Lauren’s face. “I think it’s too late for you to protect me from the ugly side of this. We have plenty of time. I’m all grown up and I want to know the truth.”

Lauren made them tea and while the water boiled, she responded to Beau’s text offering to stay with her and explained that Cassie had shown up for a surprise visit, so she would have company for the night and the next few days. Then she and Cassie began what would be a long conversation.

Of course Beau had been completely right—the girls lived in the house with them and were aware of the friction, sometimes terrible friction. In Cassie’s view it seemed Brad had a major meltdown about every six months, maybe a little more often, but the rest of the time he was a rigid, difficult man who liked to win every argument and have his way. He was controlling; his daughters frequently pointed that out to him and he responded by asking them what they expected from a man who had to make life-and-death decisions every day, sometimes every hour.

“I think it’s too late for any hope of an amicable split that will allow the two of you to be together, even for family events,” Cassie finally said. “He won’t change in this lifetime. He will never be remorseful and he will never compromise. Just give up on him, Mama. I have.”

“Oh Cassie, I didn’t want a hand in you hating your father.”

“You didn’t. You always tried so hard to buffer his meanness. I’m telling you, it’s no longer necessary. I figured him out long before you did, I think.”

“But not Lacey?” Lauren asked.

“Lacey likes her wardrobe allowance and car,” Cassie said. “She’s willing to trade a lot for that.

“What does Aunt Beth say about this? I’ve seen the way she looks at him sometimes, like she’d like to smack him!”

Lauren bit her lip. “I haven’t told her or Chip. I’m afraid she’ll explode.”

“Oh Mama, you have to tell her right away.”

Lauren reluctantly called Beth and asked her to stop by after work. “I think you should know, I had a serious fight with Brad and he hit me. I’m fine now. I went to the emergency room and except for some ugly bruises and a fat lip, I’m okay.” Beth wanted to drop everything and rush over but Lauren stopped her. “Cassie is here with me—she surprised me with a visit and her timing is perfect. If you could come by after work, that would be great. I’d like to spend the rest of the afternoon with Cassidy.”

Lauren and Cassie had only had one cup of tea and less than an hour to talk when there was a knock at the door again. The motion sensor made a chime on her cell phone and Lauren checked it. Lacey was back, this time with a bouquet of flowers. “Your sister is back,” Lauren said. “Will you let her in?”

Lacey was speechless to find Cassie in California.

“And you didn’t even call me?” Lacey said.

Cassie stiffened her spine, standing tall even though