“Because they want to get some early measurements in.”
“Why would they need measurements?” I ask, fear curling tight in my stomach.
“Oh. I forgot to tell you the plans I have for this place, didn’t I?”
“You can take your plans and stick them up your ass where the sun doesn’t shine. That’s what you can do with your plans. Claude isn’t about to sell this place to the likes of you,” Jackson yells, and that sick feeling in my stomach only gets worse. I know the color is gone from my face.
“Oh my, it seems you’re keeping secrets from your employees, Claudia. I take it he doesn’t know. I completely understand. Though, you might want to explain it to him soon. That way, instead of showing up here to a job he doesn’t have anymore, he can go straight to the unemployment office. Honestly, he might want to go there sooner. However, I suppose I will be hiring a few when I take over.”
“You’re going to run a garage? I have trouble seeing that,” I tell him, ignoring the way Jackson is staring at me.
“A garage? Good heavens, no! I’m going to be demolishing the garage. I’m going to be turning this place into a landfill station.”
“You’re what?”
“It seemed apt that it becomes a place for garbage, since that’s exactly what built it to begin with.” His verbal blow is delivered hard, striking me and momentarily robbing me of breath. He’s never been a father to me. The fact that he’s putting me through all this is proof enough of that. Still, it’s hard to hear the man who fathered you call you garbage.
“I think you’d better leave,” Ida Sue says, coming to my side and wrapping her arm around my shoulders as if to protect me. She can’t really, not from the cold hate that lies between me and David Riverton, but it’s good she’s here. Right now, I’m not sure I could keep standing if she wasn’t giving me support. I feel Jackson move in on my other side. He has to know I’ve fucked up, but he’s still here. I try and hold on to that.
“Oh. Gray’s mother, right? Ida Joe, Right? Perhaps you can see now just what type of woman your son has gotten himself involved with.”
“I can, and I completely approve. His choice in business partners, however, I’ll definitely need to talk with him about.”
“I have heard that your past is rather colorful. I guess your reaction shouldn’t surprise me,” Riverton replies. “Bad blood always shows. Maybe I need to find a new face of Riverton Metals before your offspring can tarnish it.”
“Why, you son of a bitch! You want to lock horns with me? Feel free. But you better be ready for what you’re inviting. I can’t–”
“Leave,” I order him, interrupting Ida Sue.
“I don’t think I want to right now,” he retorts. “I’m finding this is kind of fun.”
“Leave or I’ll have you arrested for trespassing.”
“Fuck, yeah,” Jackson grumbles.
“This place is mine. The paperwork is a mere formality.”
“You don’t have possession of it yet, and if you don’t leave, I’ll call Sheriff Tykes and press charges for trespassing,” I tell him, proud that my voice is firm. For some reason, I’m feeling stronger. I’m intent on Riverton, and for that reason, I don’t even notice that Ida Sue isn’t beside me anymore. And because I’m not watching her, I’m completely taken by surprise when she blasts Riverton with the water hose that’s hooked up.
“Ida Sue!” I yell, astonished and laughing despite being horrified. Riverton doesn’t need more reason to destroy me.
“I’m just hosing down the place, sweetie. The stench of the garbage was starting to make me sick.”
Riverton is yelling out that I’ll be sorry, but when Ida Sue aims the hose full-force right at his face, he shuts up and takes off running with his buddies. Ida Sue lets up on the trigger of the water hose nozzle. No one talks for a few minutes. I think Jackson might be too mad, I’m afraid. That leaves Ida Sue. My eyes go to her and I wish I could read her better.
“I think it’s time we talked, Claudia,” she says.
“I do, too,” Jackson says, and the hurt in his voice almost undoes me.
“Ida Sue, I probably should talk to Jackson alone. I owe it…”
“Nonsense. We’re family now. Now, I don’t know what’s going on and I’m pretty sure my son doesn’t know. If he did and he’s still doing business with that snake in the grass, then I’m going to rip him a new asshole.”
“He doesn’t know,” I confess.
“I can only assume you have a reason for that, dear. But you, I, and Jackson here are going to talk, and for now, we’ll keep it between the three of us. We’re going to have to figure things out soon, however, because that sad waste of ball sweat will be back and I’d lay odds he’ll only get meaner,” she says. I look over at Jackson and he’s nodding his head in agreement. I take a breath and agree.