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All good questions, Erica thought. “She’ll figure it out. She’s not a twenty-year-old with no life experience. She’s what? Thirty-four, thirty-five? She has resources.”
“Not financial ones. Mom, why aren’t you taking this seriously?”
“I am. I’m sorry Allison and your father are dealing with this, but it will get straightened out. By now your dad has a lawyer and—”
Summer’s mouth twisted. “He doesn’t. She told me. I think it’s because there’s no money. How is he supposed to pay?”
“We talked about this before. The lawyer will be paid when the money’s released. It’s fine.”
“It’s not.” Summer pushed back from the table and stood. “It’s not fine. Stop saying that. What about the move?”
“What move?”
“The landlord is selling their house. They were going to pick a place this weekend, but now Dad’s in jail and there’s no money. How is Allison supposed to rent another house or even an apartment? Mom, she’s pregnant!”
Erica did her best not to react. Having to move in the middle of all this did make the situation worse. She felt a small twinge of pity for the other woman. In a matter of days her entire life had gone to crap.
“She has friends or maybe family who can help.” At least she assumed Allison did. Honestly, Erica didn’t know that much about the woman. There was no reason to—she wasn’t one of those sick people who stayed friends with an ex.
“I’m her family,” Summer shouted. “I’m her family. She’s my stepmom and Jackson is my brother. You’ve always said it was our responsibility to take care of those we love. I love them and we have to help!”
The flinch was involuntary. Erica knew her daughter cared about Allison, but the knowledge was nowhere near the same as a shouted declaration. Her first instinct was to say the other woman was nothing to her, but she knew that would be problematic. No matter how Summer’s words stung, she had to react in an understanding and thoughtful manner. The important person here was her daughter.
“Screaming at me isn’t communication,” she said quietly. “I know you’re concerned. Anyone would be. Allison and your father are dealing with a difficult situation.”
She motioned to the chair. Summer hesitated before sitting down.
“But they are dealing,” Erica continued. “You’re sixteen years old. Mature for your age, but still not an adult. There are things they’re not going to tell you. So while I respect your feelings and understand why you feel freaked out, you need to take a step back and see that you don’t know everything happening.”
“What if what I don’t know makes it worse?”
“What if it doesn’t?”
“Mo-om! That doesn’t help.”
“You’re not helping, either. You’re assuming disaster and ruin are the only options and you’re also assuming Allison doesn’t have anyone in her life but you. This isn’t your problem to fix. It’s theirs.”
“But they’re my family!”
“Yes, they are and it’s great that you’re being so supportive. I’m not saying that has to change. Instead I’m pointing out that it’s only been a couple of days. Let’s give everyone a little time to figure out what’s really happening before you start yelling at me.”
Summer slumped in her seat. “I didn’t mean to yell.”
“I know. You’re worried. But again, they’re handling the situation. Give them space to do that.” She thought about mentioning maybe it would be better if Summer didn’t run over to her father’s house every fifteen minutes, but decided not to go there.
Her daughter looked at her. “Will you talk to her?”
“Excuse me?”
“Will you talk to her? Come on, Mom, you’re the most together person I know. You’re successful, you have employees, there’s always money. You know things. You could give Allison advice.”
“Not about Peter being in jail.”
“No, but about life and stuff. I know she’d want to talk to you.”
Erica doubted that. And on a different, yet oddly related topic, why hadn’t she had wine with dinner?
“Your stepmother has no interest in speaking with me.”
