Part 18 (1/2)
Sarah wasn't sure what she was supposed to say to that so she said nothing.
”I resent this, Daniel,” Muriel said, following Daniel into the den.
”Would you like a list of all the things I resent, Mother?”
”I can see you're in one of your moods.”
”Good. Now you can leave.”
”We came here to talk about Drew.”
Daniel swung around. ”What about Drew?”
”If you'd listen to your messages, you'd know.”
”What about Drew?” Daniel repeated firmly.
”He ran away,” his father answered.
”What? When?”
”Last night,” Muriel told him. ”That's why we were calling you. Drew listens to you.”
”Tell me what happened.”
Dan took a swallow of his scotch. ”Your mother visited a home in France that caters to people like Drew. She thought he might like the change, but when she mentioned it, he became very upset, ranting about things we couldn't understand. Later, Claude called and said Drew had run away. He found him wandering the streets about three this morning.”
”Where's Drew now?”
”He's back with Claude and I told him he didn't have to go to France. He doesn't seem to understand, though, and he wants to talk with you.”
”I'll call him right away,” Daniel promised. ”Claude has my cell number. Why didn't he phone?”
”He probably did, but you were otherwise engaged.” Muriel glanced at Sarah.
Dan downed the rest of his scotch. ”I think it's time for us to go, Muriel, before you get your foot so far in your mouth that it'll require surgery to remove it.”
”Why are you drinking, Dan?” Muriel snapped, turning her attention to him. ”Now I'll have to drive and you know how I hate to drive at night.”
”Call a cab, Muriel. That's what I'm doing. I'll be at the club.” He grabbed the bottle of scotch. ”I'm taking this, son.”
”You're becoming an alcoholic,” Muriel complained.
”That's better than being a shrew.”
”How dare you talk to me like that in front of people!”
”Why?” Dan took a swig from the bottle. ”You have no qualms about berating our son in front of his guest. So how does it feel? Not too d.a.m.n good, huh?” He moved toward the door. ”I'll call a cab from my cell phone. Good night, Daniel and Sarah. Have a nice evening. I plan to.”
Muriel ran after him. ”What about me?”
Dan turned to look at her. ”In the words of Rhett Butler-I really don't give a d.a.m.n.” He raised the bottle and opened the door at the same time.
”Dan Garrett, come back here!” Muriel followed him outside.
DANIEL CLOSED THE DOOR, turned the deadbolt and reset the alarm. ”So help me, if they come back I might have to use my gun,” he joked, walking back to Sarah.
She sat in a chair with her knees drawn up and her arms locked tight around them. She wore a closed expression that he knew well.
”Sarah, I'm so sorry. I...”
His phone rang, cutting him off. ”I'll be right back.” He went to answer it. It was Drew.
”Hi, buddy.”
”Sh-sh-she-”
”It's okay,” Daniel stopped him. ”Mom's not sending you anywhere. I promise.”
”Home, Danny. Sh-she...she take me to a home for-for stupid people.”
”Drew, I won't let her take you anywhere. Do you understand me?”
”N-n-no. I can't go. I have to stay here.”
Drew was in such a state that nothing was getting through. Daniel wanted to strangle his mother, but then that was always his reaction to Muriel's single-minded insensitivity. The only thing Daniel knew to do was to distract Drew with something else.
”Tell you what, buddy. I'm working on a real important case and when it's over, you and I will go fis.h.i.+ng on the coast-just you and me.”
”I can't go.”
”Drew, listen to me. I'm talking about fis.h.i.+ng.”
”I-I-I'm a stupid person. I can't go.”
Daniel gripped the phone tightly. ”You're my brother. You're not stupid and I love you.”
”I'm sorry, Danny.”
”Don't be sorry, buddy, think about our fis.h.i.+ng trip. You like to go to the coast, don't you?”
”Yeah, but I can't.”
”Drew-”
Claude came on the line. ”Don't worry, Daniel. I'll calm him down.”
”Thanks, Claude. I'm real sorry I can't come over. Please take care of him until I'm able to get there.”
”I will, and if you can, keep your mother away from here. She only upsets him.”