Page 31 of The Deadbeat DILF
“I need all of you out,” I snapped, my anger spilling over.
Mom stared at me. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me.” I turned around to make eye contact with the four of them. “I let you into my home, and you trash my place and go through my things. I can’t do this anymore.” I sucked in a deep breath. “I’ll pay for a five-star hotel for all of you to stay in, but I need you out of my apartment. Right now.”
Dad hauled himself to his feet, his eyes narrowed. “Are you serious?”
All of them were glaring at me like I was the unreasonable one.
“Deadly,” I said.
Soon my family was yelling, their voices so loud, I barely heard the front door open and shut.
“I don’t understand how you’ve become so selfish! We shouldn’t have to beg for help from our own daughter!” Mom screeched at me.
“I would help out more if you actually used the money for things you need, not want! Need!” I argued back, my throat growing sore from raising my voice so much.
“We asked for money for the plumbing, and you stiffed us! Look what happened!” Dad said.
Mom pointed a finger at me. “This all could’ve been avoided if you cared about your family more than what’s in your bank account.”
Immediately, I felt ashamed. Hot tears stung my eyes as my family crowded around me with accusatory expressions. “I don’t …”
“What’s going on in here?” Robert’s voice cut through the shouts.
I turned around to see he was standing behind me, his arms crossed. A mixture of relief and horror flooded me. I was glad he was back — I wanted someone to mediate this mess — but also, I didn’t want him to witness me getting into a fight with my family.
“She’s kicking us out for no reason!” Gemma tattled on me like she was a child.
“You wrecked my apartment! You’re acting like my things are yours,” I defended myself as my tears threatened to spill over. I couldn’t cry. I couldn’t let Robert see me like this.
“It’s obvious you don’t give a shit about your family!” Dad bit out as he moved even closer to me. I could smell the beer on his breath.
“Alright, let’s just all calm down,” Robert said in an even voice, stepping between my father and me. His voice was measured, but firm. “I’m sure we can all settle this if we start talking instead of yelling.”
“This isn’t even your business,” Brandon told Robert. “Who even are you?”
“Some homeless man,” Gemma sneered.
“Don’t speak to him like that,” I snapped at her. After everything they had pulled on me, they didn’t get to insult Robert under my roof too. “He kindly offered you and Brandon his room.”
“That makes it worse!” Gemma said. “You let some random man stay with you, but not your own family?”
All I wanted to do was crumple up and cry. I kept my composure, though, and forced my words out. “Just go. Send me the hotel bill.”
My father shook his head at me. He looked so disappointed, and for one second, I wanted to take it all back. “You heard her,” he said, turning to the rest of my family. “Now we see where her priorities lie.”
“I can’t believe my daughter grew up to be so selfish,” Mom muttered. It felt like she’d reached into my ribcage and squeezed my heart into a pulp.
Robert took a step forward. “Brooke generously invited you to her home,” he said. “But even I can see that you have respect for her space or possessions.” He looked around the messy apartment. “You don’t have any respect for her.”
“Who asked for your opinion?” Brandon demanded. “This is a family matter. It’s none of your business.”
Robert placed a hand on my shoulder. “She’s my friend,” he replied. “It’s my business when people insult her in her own home.”
I saw Brandon draw a breath, ready to argue. I didn’t want to hear it.
“Just go,” I said, my voice almost a plea. “Choose what ever hotel you want. Just go.”
