Distilled

Chapter 2

Two weeks had passed since Michael had come to my house. The men kept coming and going and every ounce of my hope went out the door with them. One day, John, my father, announced that he was going away on business and wouldn't be back until two days later. Which meant I had two days off. I texted the number Michael had given me and explained the trip to him. He said he would stop by my house so we could discuss. On the day of the trip, Jhon didn't even bother to come to my room, he just left and I didn't make a point of saying goodbye to him either. An hour later I saw Michael's car parked and saw him getting out and knocking on the door. When I opened it, he hugged me and apologized for not coming more.

-I know I promised to get you out of this hell, but I couldn't come back here without punching your father in the face.

-All right. And how are you?

-I've been working with my lawyer and it turns out I still don't know what to do to get you out of here. You are a minor, by law you must stay with your father.

-I know you'll find a way. Come in.

We sat on the couch and I turned on the TV. We didn't watch TV, we were just talking about various subjects, like her sisters, I missed them too.

A notice in the newspaper drew attention, about an accident of a private jet leaving New York.

The reporter said that everyone on the plane had died and when the photo of the dead passengers appeared, my father's photo appeared on the screen. I was static. I nudge Michael because I don't know if I'm the only one seeing it and Michael stops talking right away and just looks. He takes his cell phone out of his pocket and punches in a number. Soon after, he's talking nonsense on his cell phone.

I can only think that I'm not feeling anything. I feel no relief, let alone remorse. I do not feel anything. It's like I don't know the guy in the picture. I stand there staring into space and listen to a part of Michael's conversation.

-"Did you find the documents? And does she keep everything? I think now we can fix it. The obstacle was him. Finally I managed to get her out of his clutches, I won't let another relative do the same thing. No, I will. I'll take care of it. Do the paperwork. I want it done when I get there. Goodbye, Jax."

He sat next to me and held my hand.

-Alice, your father left a document where he passes everything he has to you, but his custody, he gave to your aunt Pearl. Do you know her?

I couldn't answer because my eyes watered. My Aunt Pearl. She had given my father the brilliant idea. A quick way to get money, get out of family debt, get back on your feet. She was even worse than he was.

-Not her, not her, not her. Everyone but her. She didn't - she whispered and cried with her head against Michael's chest.

-Okay, fine. Shh. Jax is already working this out. You won't be with her. I promise.