The Marriage Dare

“So,” he says, “we have lots of newspapers in here. I’ve seen some very interesting pictures of you.”

“I try not to pay attention too much to what the newspapers say about me. What have you seen?” I can see him in my head. Stretching out lazily, pretending that he doesn’t care about what he’s saying, when he’s really circling in for the kill.

“Pictures of you with a wedding ring on. I never thought that my sweet baby girl would get married without talking to me first. But then again, I suppose I haven’t been the best father for the past few years. I know who that man is,” he says. “Daniel Argent. Didn’t you go to high school with him?”

“Yeah, I did.”

“Rumor is he’s very successful now,” he says. “Though he’s generally a pretty private guy. But I have my connections, I know about Brazen Casinos, and all of that wealth.”

I put a smile on my face so that my voice will sound cheerful. “I did what you always wanted. Married a rich man you can take care of me.”

“And I’m very happy for you. I hope that you’re having a good time with him. But remember, your loyalty should always be to your family.”

I shiver, even though the room is warm. “What you want, Dad? I know you’re leading up to it. Please just tell me.”

He lays it on thick. “Is that any way to talk to your father?”

“Get to the point,” I say, frustration rippling through me. I don’t know what he wants, but I know it’s not good for me.

“Fine,” he says, his voice no longer the friendly salesman. “You know what happened to the money. It’s all gone in those stupid fucking lawsuits for those stupid fucking people. I need some to help fund my appeal, make it flow to the correct people, and set me up once I get out of this place.”

I knew it was coming, and yet the shock still hits me with unbridled force. “Are you seriously asking me for money?”

“Why do you sound so surprised? I made your life good for you. I gave you everything in the fucking world. I took care of you for years longer than any father should have to take care of a child, and you lived in luxury. All I’m asking is for little bit of money from your new husband who’s wealthier than we ever were or could be.”

“How can you ask me to do this? You’ve stolen millions of dollars from people. You’re responsible for hundreds of deaths. You haven’t even spoken to me in years until it was suddenly convenient for you. How do you think that this is okay?”

I can see his expression in my head, and it is ugly one. “Do you know where your mother is?”

My heart stutters in my chest. “Do you know where she is?”

“Of course I do. She’s my wife. You don’t think I know where she is? I’ll tell you, if you help me.”

No matter what my parents have done, they are my parents. I love them even if I shouldn’t. I miss my mother. I haven’t seen her since the day my father was arrested. I looked for her, but I didn’t have the skills or resources to find her. Plus, with all the media attention on me and my father, I didn’t want to put them onto her scent, in case something bad might happen to her. “Plus,” he says, “you owe me. You know you do. I got you out of trouble more than once, and you wouldn’t be where you are without me.”

I think back to that day in high school. As it so happens, it was the last day that I ever spoke to Daniel. The one that he referenced right before he punched Martin, in the car shop where Martin shoved him into a wall. He was drunk, we were pulled over. I wasn’t drinking, but the cops didn’t care. I would’ve had a DUI on my record if my father hadn’t intervened for me. I never would have been able to become a lawyer. I can’t find my voice to speak.

“He doesn’t even have to know,” my father whispers. “He has so much money, that a couple hundred thousand dollars won’t even make a dent. I’m sure the Bar Association would be interested in that little development, as well as some others.”

My throat feels like it’s going to close up and I can’t breathe. I still can’t talk. But somehow I can’t say no. All the things he says are true. I don’t know what other things he’s referring to, but nothing at this point would surprise me. My father forgets nothing, and he always makes sure that people are somehow indebted to him.

“I’ll make sure you get the information of the bank account where I want the money. I am not ineffectual simply because I can’t walk down the street. If I don’t get this money, you’ll not only be disbarred, you’ll never work again. I will poison the water so thoroughly that you’ll never be able to show your face again.”