“It’s about a client.”
“Baby girl, you know I don’t discuss my clients. That’s confidential.”
“Right, but this particular case affected me.”
“How so?”
“A man named Jake Mitchell got a position at my job to purposely get closer to me.”
“What did you just say?”
“Jake Mitchell. Do you know the name?
“Where’s he from?”
“He’s from Michigan or at least he was in a Michigan prison.”
My father is silent for a moment, no doubt trying to gather his composure. I think this may be the very first time I’ve ever caught him off guard like this.
“Did he tell you who he was?”
“No, Knox had to tell me because he used a fake name to get the job.”
“So Knox already knows about this?”
“Yes, but don’t worry, Daddy, Knox has taken care of the situation.”
“Has he now?”
“Yes, but can I ask what exactly you did to Jake’s brother and why? Why is he so hell bent on destroying you?”
“What happened with his brother is my business, but don’t cry a river for him. He was already a deadbeat and on his way to a full-time life of crime when I dealt with him. Trust me, he was no saint.”
“I’m sure you say that about everyone you destroy.”
“Every one I destroy?” He lingers on the last word.
“Well… yeah.”
“Destroy is a strong word, Gigi. I’m not some kind of villain from a Marvel movie, but I’m also not working with Sunday school teachers either. Most of the time, I’m dealing with people who live on the fringes of normal society. Having a conversation with them is not enough. You have to handle them in ways that they understand.”
“Okay, I think I get what you’re saying.”
“Good, because I don’t want you staying away from me and your mother because you think I’m some sort of evil mastermind. I promise you that I haven’t done anything that I can’t live with.”
I think my Dad’s last sentence is the one I needed to hear. I’m sure what he can live with and what I can live with are worlds apart, but at least I know that he lives comfortably within his self-imposed limits.
“I know you’re not an evil mastermind and I’m sorry if I ever made you feel that I thought you were. It’s just for a moment, I felt kind of sorry for the guy. He must be in real pain to have even gone to the trouble of doing what he did.”
“I’m not sure about his pain, Gigi. All I know is that sociopaths can be really creative.”
I sigh to myself. “Okay, Daddy.”
Maybe we won’t agree on everything after one phone call. I can be satisfied with baby steps for now.
“Listen, I’m meeting your mother for a spa date.”
“Ooh, nice.”
“But the family is meeting on Thursday night at your Uncle Roman’s house and I want you to be there this time.”
My stomach just rolled for the first time at the mention of my Uncle’s name because it literally just hit me–I’m sleeping with a man whose father I call “Uncle”.
Ick.
What the hell are my parents going to say when I tell them about this?
Twenty-Two
Knox
* * *
“Hello, stranger.”
“Hey, Auntie.”
“What are you doing?”
Do I even dare tell this tough-as-nails woman that I am in the middle of the farmer’s market trying to select the freshest looking bouquet of peonies for Gigi?
“Running errands.”
“Not literally, boy. I’m asking what you’re doing about your life? When are you coming back down to Miami to get back to work?”
I hesitate to answer Aunt Kat’s question for a lot of reasons, but mainly because I haven’t told Gigi anything about going back to Florida. In fact, I’ve been purposely vague about my years down in Miami because I’ve been doing exactly the same shit that our fathers are doing up here and I know she won’t like it.
“I’m going to be here for a few more weeks.”
“Are you okay?”
I know what she means. She's inquiring about my mental health which hasn't been an issue since I've been around Gigi all the time.
“I've had no altercations since I've been home.”
Which isn't the total truth but close enough.
“Good, well are you vacationing or something?”
“Grandpa Joe wants me to stay for a while to help with some family stuff.”
“Oh hell, you should have led the conversation with that. If Joseph is making demands like that, then you have to do what you have to do.”
“Right.”
“Well, keep me abreast of the situation in case anything changes.”
“I will.”
“Remember your breath control.”
“I will.”
After we hang up, I continue with my shopping and purchase the flowers and a loaf of Gigi’s favorite multigrain bread from the farmer’s market, as well as dinner for two from one of her favorite restaurants. Tonight, we’re celebrating because Jensen already gave me a heads up that Gigi got the part she wanted in the upcoming Alice In Wonderland production.
I drive another fifteen minutes and arrive at the theatre to pick her up with flowers in hand. Her face is beaming with joy when she walks up to the truck.
“I got it!” she exclaims.
“Congrats, Queenie.”
She climbs up into the passenger seat, leans over and gives me a kiss.
“Here.” I hand her the flowers.
“Flowers for me? Aww, they’re beautiful, Knox. Thank you. What smells so good?”
She turns her neck to look in the back seat.
“I bought dinner.”
“You are the best boyfriend ever.”
We’re both quiet for a moment.
We haven't defined what we’re doing, although I made it quite clear the night I took her virginity that Gigi and I were exclusive. I guess putting a name to it makes it all that more real and fine by me.
“I really am,” I say in agreement as I pull away to head home.
“And guess what else?”
“What?”
“I will actually get paid for this role. It will be my first paid acting gig! I'll even be in the actor's union.”
“Seriously?”
“Yep.”
“So you can finally quit the med student actor thing?”
Celebratory rockets and fireworks shoot off in my brain. I’m so happy she can finally put her official notice in. Working as a real actress is what Gigi should be doing and the smile on her face is all the confirmation I need that me putting in a good word for her was the right thing to do.
Jensen is the older brother of a girl I once hung out with when I was in high school. And like I told Gigi, he owes me one (or maybe even two favors) because I convinced my father to give him a loan back when he was in jeopardy of losing his theater to the IRS. There’s no need to give Gigi all those details through, because he wouldn’t have offered her the part if she wasn’t right for it. At the end of the day, he is quite serious about his art and wouldn’t compromise his shows for anyone.