Highest Bidder

His voice was as cold as ice as he spoke, “You’re testing me. I was trying to be polite for old time’s sake, but I can see now that I’ve given you too much power. I want you and I’m going to have you. I’ve settled your immediate debt, but that’s not the end of it. In less than forty-eight hours, the Bailiffs will be back at your door.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“You didn’t know, did you?” he asked, with a mocking smile.

“Know what?”

“Your mother took a second loan against the property.”

My heart sank. He knew what I didn’t and was reveling in the power his knowledge gave him over me. “It doesn’t matter. I’ll pay it myself,” I responded tightly.

I watched furiously as he turned his back and walked over to the drinks cabinet. ‘‘You want one?” he asked.

“No thanks.’’

‘‘You look like you could do with one,” he said sarcastically and began calmly pouring himself a drink. Then he turned his attention back to me. ‘‘I’m afraid paying it yourself is most unlikely since your account is frozen. In my experience of these situations, the bank will be in no hurry to unblock your funds. Especially since they will have already placed those funds into a high interest account. It could take two weeks, but the bailiffs will be at your property tomorrow.’’

My mind was a firestorm of confusion and anger. Why didn’t Mom tell me about this second loan yesterday when she had the chance?

Suddenly, he came close enough that I could smell his familiar scent. His eyes were intense and intimidating. “You want to keep your property, you fuck me. One month, or until I get you the fuck out of my head. Call me when you’re done weighing your options.” He stepped over the carnage of metal and glass that used to be a laptop and walked towards the door.

“Brent?” I called, feeling sorry I had infuriated him so much.

Then just before he disappeared from sight, he stopped without turning around. “I know what it's like to lose a parent to idiots, so I’m not one to do that so carelessly to others. Think about that before you go believing every tale that is spun to take advantage of you.”

Freya

When I arrived home, Maddie and Ella were gone and my mother was sitting in front of the TV. There was an empty glass of wine on the coffee table. There was something so sad and forlorn about her that I felt the hair on my arms rise. Just then, she turned to face me and I saw her reddened eyes and knew she had been sobbing her eyes out.

My poor, poor mother. I hurried over to her and immediately held her in my arms. Although she was my mom, I was a head taller than her, so she fit quite snugly in the crook of my shoulder. “Why are you crying?” I asked. “We are out of danger.”

She touched my face gently. “I’m sorry, Freya. I’ve put you in danger by being a very, very foolish woman.”

“It’s okay, Mom. It’s settled now. The debt is paid fully.”

She dropped her head. “No, it hasn’t.”

“No?” I asked softly.

She shook her head. “I took another loan and they have been chasing me on that as well.”

“I see. Don’t worry, Mom. I’m pretty certain my professor will help out.”

She peered at me through wet lashes. “Why would he help? He doesn’t want you to do anything with him, does he?”

I pretended to laugh. “He’s old enough to be my grandad, Mom. It’s not like that. He’s just a kind man. Anyway, it will just be a loan. I’ll pay it all back.” I was getting so good at telling lies it surprised me.

She took a deep breath. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, I am sure.”

“Oh, Freya.” She let out a long sigh. “I’ve been so frightened this last month. I didn’t know what to do. I thought I was going to get a heart attack. I was supposed to be protecting you and I was getting us into deeper and deeper trouble. After what happened to your Dad, I swore to myself that I would take care of you, but look at what I have done.”

“Oh, Mom, you have done great. I wouldn’t change you for the world,” I burst out.

“I’m so tired, Freya,” she whispered. “I just want to lay my head down for once and have my heart actually know what it means to rest. Sometimes, I think I can’t take it anymore.”

I led her head back to my shoulder and tried to keep my own tears at bay, as she sobbed, her shoulders quietly shuddering. Even when my father had died, I hadn’t seen her cry this much. It bothered me to no end, but I understood … I understood that she had never allowed herself to properly grieve. This was her outlet.

I held her even tighter to me until she eventually lifted her face. She brushed my hair softly away from my cheeks and looked into my eyes. “You’re so strong. So strong. I’m so proud of you.”

I planted a kiss on her cheek and felt my heart break just a little when I noted the wrinkles around her eyes. She had foregone her Botox injections to save money. As if she was a child, I placed another kiss on her nose and she squeezed her eyes shut.

I wiped the tears from my eyes. “I love you, Mom.”

“And you're a blessing, Freya.”