Chapter 8: Fallout
Rich's words linger in my mind as I walk back into the living room. Adam and Jonah are still in full gamer battle. I step in front of them to get their attention. I know this is bad form but I also know this is the only way to get it.
"I'm putting the phone on speaker so Jonah can hear you, Adam is here too," I say into the phone setting it on the ottoman. "Tell me what happened."
"Dad called, asked if I had heard from mom," Rich's voice echoes through the room. "I told him I hadn't and asked the usual questions. Did you call her cell phone? He said yes, it went straight to voicemail. Did she leave a note? Yes, it said she was not coming back until I apologized to Jonah and Jacob. I asked what he was supposed to be apologizing for and he said he wasn't exactly sure."
"He wasn't sure?" Jonah's voice mirrors the anger I feel.
"Did something happen at dinner?" Rich asks in his lawyer voice. It is the voice he uses when he knows the answer but wants you to say it in your way, so that he can use it against you.
"You know damn well what happened last night, so you can cut the cross examination bullshit," Jonah snaps at him. "We don't know where mom is. She called earlier to check on Jake but I was not in the mood for excuses and apologies so I wasn't on the phone with her for very long."
"You understand this is all your fault right? Both of you. You're so selfish. Have you ever once thought about what the decisions you are making does to others? It wasn't enough to announce, proudly, that you were having sex for money, now you're in this disgusting relationship."
I can hear the finger quotes Rich is throwing into that word. "We will get in contact with mom and make sure she's alright. In the meantime you need to think about the things you just said. We are adults living on our own. We have been out of mom and dad's house for three years. Making our own money, taking care of ourselves and each other. It is not our problem that you feel uncomfortable with our choice of career or our dating situation. That is your problem. Figure out a way to get over it, or don't. Whatever. I'll make sure mom calls you." I press end on the phone's screen.
I look at Jonah and his face is red with fury. I look at Adam and his is red from embarrassment. "I'm sorry," I smile in Adam's direction.
"I am going to go. Unless you need me to stay?" Adam says.
Jonah and I both shake our heads no.
"Am I wrong?" I ask Adam as I'm walking him to the door. "I mean, I know you've been pretty cool about all this but, are you uncomfortable with it?"
Adam stops and turns to me. "I thought you were sleeping together all along. I've had years to figure out whether or not that bothered me. In the end, I decided none of it was any of my business. So no, I don't think you're wrong. But. Family is always affected by the choices we make. Whether we like it or not. You're going to have to make them understand this one. The only other options are continue to fight about it or cut all ties. And I don't think either of you want that."
"And they say you are a dumb jock." I give him a wry smile.
"Who says that?"
"Or was it that you look like a dumb jock, I don't remember the exact words." I hug him. "Thank you. I'll call you soon."