A family spiraling out of control.
A child forced to grow up too fast.
Is there any room left for a young girl to find herself?


Chapter 5 – Catastrophic Failure

 

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Author's Note: No structure can survive the collapse of its foundation. However, its components can react in surprising ways. As ever please be tolerant of my failings, and forthright with your criticism. ~Persephone
Current Score: US Readers 6 – 1 UK Author
(I’m beginning to feel like the Thai Women’s World Cup team)

 

Photo by  Christopher Campbell on Unsplash
© Persephone 2019

~o~O~o~

The family pulled together, sort of. Despite her increasing weakness and regular trips to the hospital, Mom wouldn’t allow any of her family to mope around or withdraw from each other. Beside her, Aunt Megan enforced her directions as strictly as any drill sergeant.

“Right team! We all need to take on new chores to keep the home clean, tidy and running smoothly.” She announced at dinner. “Jimmy. Now that you’ve got your driving license you get the chance to put it to use. You need to take responsibility for getting the groceries in. There will be a list on the board in the kitchen which will be added to during the week. On Sunday after church you’ll pick it up and head on out. Understood?”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Sean?”

“Uh huh?”

“Bathrooms, living room, dining room, hallways and stairs. Once a week. Again Sunday afternoon. You are also your Dad’s lieutenant for everything in the yard. Got it?”

“Sure.”

“Carl. Kitchen and cooking. It’s not women’s work. A man who can cook well will never go without a job. Kathleen is not big enough to run the kitchen yet, but she will be learning alongside you. Okay?”

“Whatever it takes Aunt Megan.”

“Kathleen sweetie?”

“What can I do?”

“I need you to take care of the laundry. Not the ironing. If anyone wants pressed clothes they will learn to do it themselves or do without. You’ll also be learning to cook with Carl. Is that alright?”

“Yes Aunty.”

“Finally, Brian.”

“The yard?”

Aunt Megan nodded. “That and to be Marie’s and the kids’ rock.”

Dad nodded slowly. “I can do that.”

“You’ll all be responsible for your own rooms; I will be inspecting. You will also make sure you are properly turned out as your mother expects. Don’t let her, or yourselves down. Now jump to it troops!”

Slowly the family’s nightmare softened to become the new normal. While mom rested, or was away in hospital, everyone buckled down to their new chores, fitting them in around school, sports or work. Jimmy and Carl were told in no uncertain terms that they were expected to stay on their teams and give it their best. Mom was proud of their success and refused to allow them to use her illness to reduce that. Kath too was summoned and informed that ballet and Kung Fu lessons were not negotiable no matter how hard she wheedled or begged.

Almost as if sleep walking, Carl slipped into his new routine. He worked hard at school, trained hard for the swim team and practiced his katas every day with Kath. After homework he helped Aunt Megan cook dinner and cleaned up after. Then he’d spend an hour with Kath, keeping on top of the day’s orders. The routine became his comforter; a reassuring link back to the time when Mom was well. It also filled his days and spared him from having time to think.

At night, hidden in the darkness, Cassandra couldn’t even allow herself to cry as she listened to Sean’s breathing on the bunk above. Inside her head she wondered if it was all her fault. Grampa had told her she was an evil foul sinner and she had gone ahead anyway. Was Mom’s sickness God’s punishment on the family because she had disobeyed? Was she responsible? More than once she had thought to run down to the cellar and throw away her pills, begging God to save Mom. More than once Carl woke to find his pillow damp with tears he couldn’t recall shedding.

At school Gail tried to be supportive, but each day she watched Carl steadily move away. His former ready smile and quick humor peeked out less and less, while the extra chores meant their time together out of school steadily dwindled. She promised to stand by him, but it was becoming harder and harder every day. Gail didn’t even know it was his thirteenth birthday until a week after it had passed. When she challenged him on it he shrugged. “I forgot and Mom was in hospital. There’s more important things to worry about than getting older.” was all he said.

In late February Mom lost her hair.

She assured everyone it would grow back after the chemotherapy finished, and joked that in the meantime she could try a new hairstyle every day, but Carl could see how much it distressed her. And how much the look of shock on Kath’s face had hurt her. Yet Mom still pushed herself to stay bright and cheerful for her husband and children, to keep promising them hope for her recovery.

Steadily the amount of time Mom spent at home went down, as the time in hospital went up. At the start of April Aunt Megan told them all that Mom was moving into a hospice, and they’d be able to go and visit her in turn every afternoon after school.

When Carl’s turn came he rushed across the room to suddenly stop short, then reach out to gently cuddle Mom, shocked to see the tubes now running from her painfully thin arms.

“My beautiful boy.” Mom smiled down into his hair. “You may not be the biggest or the tallest, but you’ve made up for it in spades with your courage, wit and loyalty haven’t you?” She murmured, as much to herself as to the boy in her arms. “I am so so proud of you.”

Eventually Carl reluctantly drew back, wiping his eyes on the back of his sleeve as he kept hold of Mom’s hand, her knuckles sharp against his palm. He finally asked the question that he both dreaded, and needed, the answer to. “You’re not coming home are you Mom?”

Marie sighed. “You always were so sharp. Bright as a button, even in kindergarten.” She reminisced. “I’m so sorry Carl. I really want to, but God has other plans for me.” She squeezed his hand for a long moment, trying to give him strength, even though she had so little left to give.

“Carl? I want you to promise me something. You’ve always been the closest too little Kathleen. You’re her favorite big brother you know?”

“I know Mom.” Carl allowed a small smile. “She has a pet name for me, ‘Three-bee’”

“Three-bee?”

“Best big bro’.”

She chuckled for a moment, then coughed hard. He waited quietly until the coughing fit passed and she was settled again.

“Carl?”

“Yes Mom, I will. I promise.”

“Promise?”

“To look after Kath.”

“You always were so smart. Thank you.” She smiled. “You’d better go find your Aunt Megan. Otherwise dinner won’t get cooked.”

Carl felt his heart clench. “Bye Mom. Love you. I’ll be back soon, I promise.”

“I love you too Carl.”

It was during Math period in the first week of the Summer semester when the teacher came for him.

~o~O~o~

The funeral was beautiful. Everyone said so.

Mom’s casket was white. It was covered in daffodils. She’d always loved daffodils.

Reverend Fuller had said some nice things.

So did Dad, although Carl couldn’t remember any of it. He’d sat in the pew, alternately holding Kath’s hand or passing her tissues, keeping her safe between himself and Aunt Megan. Behind him the church was full, but he didn’t look round. Afterwards Carl rode in a limo for the first time ever. They drove quietly through Harbor City behind the hearse. Then he sat in another pew until Mom’s casket rolled slowly through the curtains. Finally they returned to the community center at St Mark’s church where Aunt Megan had arranged a reception.

It was there that Carl realized that nothing was going to be the same again.

He politely greeted many of Mom’s old friends. Ladies that she’d shared duties with in the church, who now clucked sadly over his head. The Reverend Fuller had shook his hand and told him to be strong. That God had called Mom and now she would be looking down on him from Heaven. He nodded and thanked the Reverend, even as he wanted to slap the man and shout at him that he was a liar. Michael’s parents came. Michael’s mom just hugged him and then left him alone. Gail was there as well, with her family. Before they left she came over and sat beside him for a while. Then she kissed his cheek and left.

Throughout the afternoon Carl had watched his family. Aunt Megan keeping Kath close beside her. Occasionally whisking her away when the line of well-wishers became too much for the young girl. But she always came back with her chin high to greet and thank some more of Mom’s friends and acquaintances. Carl was so proud of how brave she was.

Jimmy stood stoically throughout the ordeal. He accepting handshakes and condolences, muttering a few words of thanks as he did his duty. However Carl got the feeling that his eldest brother wasn’t really there. He said things because they were expected. He saw people, but didn’t engage with them. There was no grief, nor sorrow; just an automaton going through the motions.

Sean had vanished shortly after the reception started, while Aunt Megan’s attention had been distracted. Carl had no idea where he’d gone, nor did he care. He’d probably be home by now killing things on his Xbox.

Dad.

Dad had manfully welcomed all the guests, said a few words, then circulated, glass in hand, amongst them as the afternoon went on. The glass was never empty. When he passed close by, the second or third time, Carl had noticed Dad’s slight unsteadiness, the careful diction of his speech. As the afternoon continued he’d listened as Dad started to slur his words, his voice occasionally rising in abrupt laughter. At one point he spotted Aunt Megan whispering in Dad’s ear as Dad shook his head angrily.

When the final guests had left, and Aunt Megan went to speak to the caterers, Dad headed for the drinks table. He grabbed two glasses of wine and chugged them down like soda.

“Dad? Dad are you okay? Can I get you anything?” Carl asked hesitantly from his shoulder. Brian spun round, and had to stagger for a moment to keep his balance.

“Okay? Okay?” His voice rose. “No I’m not fucking okay. I’ve just watched my wife’s body get fucking incinerated. So how the fuck do you think I might be ‘Oh…Kay’ ?” He was almost shouting at the end, stunning the room into stillness. He stopped and looked at Carl for a moment. “Just fuck off and leave me alone with your fucking ‘Oh…Kay’ you little runt.”

Carl backed off as his father’s insult and cursing ripped into him. He continued backing away until a pair of arms carefully enfolded him. “Come along Carl.” Aunt Megan murmured in his ear. “Leave your father alone and help me get Kathleen home.”

School had allowed both Sean and Carl to be absent for as long as they needed, but within days of the funeral Carl was itching to get back to his lessons. He couldn’t handle the silence around the house as each of them retreated within themselves, or occasionally lashed out at each other over trivial things that no one had minded when Mom was around.

Most of all he couldn’t handle all the empty time, when he kept himself hidden away down in the cellar, with nothing to do but think.

The guilt came flooding back. It was his fault, Cassandra’s fault. If he’d been the son Dad expected, it wouldn’t have happened. If he hadn’t lied and hidden money maybe it would have been enough to save Mom. More than once he eyed his hiding place, but his nerve always failed him; even as she pulled another pill from her stash.

In the end Carl went to Aunt Megan. He still refused to speak to his father after what he had said.

“I want… no, I need to get back to school Aunt Megan. It’s what Mom would have wanted.”

She reached out to draw him into a hug. “I’ve been waiting for you to tell me. She most certainly would. She would also tell you that, no matter how hard it is, you have to move forwards. You have to continue to grow and build on the achievements she was so proud of.”

Carl sniffled. “You’ll tell Dad?”

“You’re going to have to talk to him sometime kiddo.”

“Why?”

“He didn’t mean it. The day was all too much for him. Sometimes people say things they don’t mean.”

“And sometimes they say what they’ve hidden and really think.”

“You’ll need to forgive him eventually.”

“He needs to apologize and mean it.” Carl responded sharply, then changed the subject. “Do you want me to talk to Kath? Do you think she’s ready to go back to school?”

“That would be helpful kiddo. Yes, I think she’s ready, and she’ll listen to you. Thank you.” She watched as Carl disentangled himself and headed off to find his sister.

‘It’s going to take a long time for this family to stop hurting and repair itself.’ Megan sadly decided.

~o~O~o~

For the rest of the summer semester Carl allowed himself to be drawn back into the routine of school, business, swimming and martial arts. He won a couple of races for the team and had even been awarded an orange belt in Kung Fu. But the only people he told were Kath and Aunt Megan. Dinner had ceased to be a family affair with Dad frequently working late, so Jimmy and Sean tended to grab a plate before sprawling in front of the TV. At least Dad ‘said’ he was working late, when he bothered to say anything. But Carl had smelled beer on his breath once too often to believe him. Even Kath had learnt to keep out of his way if he came home late.

Most evenings it was just Carl, Kath and Aunt Megan who sat down together once they had finished cooking and cleaning up the kitchen. They sometimes talked about their days, or Aunt Megan would tell them stories from when she was growing up in Harbor City. More often she would go over the meal they’d just cooked together, asking their thoughts and offering suggestions about how they could have improved it. Aunt Megan truly loved to cook, and just as much, sharing that love with her new apprentices.

By the time the summer vacation arrived, the household had settled into a new pattern. Dad, Jimmy and Sean, each withdrawn and distant, doing their chores and treating the food put on the table as some sort of expected service. Carl, Kath and Aunt Megan, growing closer and supporting each other through the darkness. The family tradition with report cards and a barbecue was ignored, although Carl made sure that Kath and he shared theirs with Aunt Megan. Dad didn’t even bother to ask for them.

Eventually Aunt Megan had had enough. On Sunday evening she forced everyone to sit down together for dinner and started to lay down the law.

“You all made promises to Marie, to your mom, before she passed. Do you think you have been keeping them?” She demanded, glaring at Brian and his two oldest sons. “I’ll tell you right now that you haven’t, because she told me exactly what each of you promised, and I’ve the evidence of my own eyes to know you have failed to honor those promises.”

None of the three met her eye.

“Time for some hard truths. Sean, you haven’t shown me your report card, and you certainly didn’t show either your father or I the note you were sent home with last week for fighting. Fortunately, I ‘did’ bother to call the school and I asked them to keep me informed about how you were settling back. You will be going to High School next semester. The easy ride is over young man. Right now you are heading for a suspension, or worse, unless you pull your socks up.”

Sean slunk lower in his chair, more angry than embarrassed by the chewing out he had gotten.

“Jimmy, I also spoke to your home room teacher. Whilst you might be hot stuff on the football field, and have been selected to move up onto the varsity team next year, you are in real danger of being dropped from the squad, varsity or junior, unless you pick up your grades. Your Junior year is critical if you want to go to college. Right now you’d struggle to get into community college. And the really sad thing? We both know you are more than bright enough to make honor roll.”

Aunt Megan turned her attention to Brian McCarrick and sneered.

“Great example you’re setting Brian.” All four of the children froze in shock at hearing their dad being spoken to like that, but Aunt Megan was taking no prisoners that evening.

“You haven’t bothered to ask about how any of your children are doing since the funeral. Heck, you’ve barely noticed them unless it was to shout at them while drunk. Time to climb out of the bottle Brian and ‘man up’. Fail to do that and you’re going to have Children’s Services knocking on your door pretty soon. What would Marie think about that?”

“How dare you talk to me like that!” Dad pushed himself back from the table in fury. “I suppose you’d be the one to call Children’s Services wouldn’t you?” He accused Aunt Megan.

“I wouldn’t need to Brian! The kids’ teachers are already thinking it. The only reason they haven’t already is because I’m here!” She shot back. “So. Now I’m telling you all what WILL happen. Tomorrow morning I’m taking Kath and Carl to come stay with me in Pasadena until next Friday. THEY have been keeping their promises. You three have five days to take a long hard look at yourselves and decide if you actually intend to honor your promises like real men.” Aunt Megan’s eyes flashed. “Are you going to be a family? Or failures? Choose!”

~o~O~o~

Aunt Megan’s home was a spacious three bed apartment near the Pasadena city college with views out towards the Mount Wilson observatory. She scooped up the pile of mail and flyers from her mail box and escorted Kath and Carl inside.

“Right guys, you’ve each got your own room, so I suggest you settle in for a bit. We’ll have lunch in an hour and decide what to do during our little holiday okay?”

“Umm, Aunt Megan, do you have wifi?” Carl asked.

“Sure do. Password is on the back of the router. You planning on working all the time young man?”

“I just want to keep tabs on any new kit orders coming in Aunt Megan. Putting them together can wait ’til the weekend, but I may need to place some inventory orders.”

She laughed. “Marie was right about you. You’ll be a millionaire before you finish college!”

Lunch was a light chicken salad they’d picked up on the way. “Normally I’d never buy store-made, but sometimes needs must. Now, I have some ideas you might enjoy.”

After a happy and spirited discussion Carl and Kath agreed that the Autry Museum of the American West and ice skating were ‘musts’, while the Eaton Canyon and Old Pasadena were ’shoulds’.

“Okay guys. I think we have all done enough cooking for a while, so let’s go out to dinner at my favorite restaurant.”

Aunt Megan’s favorite was a small friendly place called Lupita’s a few blocks away, and soon Carl was in heaven with his Enchilada Vallarta.

“I need to ask you two some questions okay?” Aunt Megan’s tone turned serious as their platters were cleared away. “First up some ground rules. What’s said here, stays here, agreed?”

Kath and Carl both nodded.

“We’re going to talk about some things that might happen, just to be prepared. It doesn’t mean that they will, so don’t worry.”

“Sort of ‘what if’ stuff. Like planning for a zombie apocalypse right?” Carl offered.

Kath and Aunt Megan chuckled. “Probably not that drastic Carl, but you never know. Okay… “ Aunt Megan blew out a big breath, “here goes. Now things will probably be fine, but, if things don’t straighten out at home, I want you both to know that you will always have a home here with me. Understand?”

Wide eyed, Kath solemnly nodded.

Carl thought about it for a moment. “Um, Aunt Megan, what would you consider to be ‘things not straightening out at home’.”

“Smart question Carl.” She grinned. “Let’s see. If you felt that either, or both of you, were in real danger. If either of you were being threatened or bullied into doing something you knew to be wrong or unsafe. If either of you were being neglected or ignored so bad that it affected your health or schoolwork. If Children’s Services turn up. Does that make sense?”

“Yeah, that makes sense. Thank you Aunty. Kath, what do you think?”

Kath bit her lip. “It’s like the guys are getting darker you know? I don’t speak to Dad any more. He always used to have time for a hug. But since Mom… since… It’s like he’s gone away too.”

Aunt Megan scooted over to cuddle her niece. “Oh honey. We’re trying to fix things. That’s why we came up here. This is only ‘in case’ planning, and none of us want any of this to happen.”

Kath looked across at her brother. Their gaze locking for a few moments. “Carl?”

He understood what she was asking. “Everything? You sure?”

“If you are.”

Aunt Megan looked between the two in confusion. “Is there some sort of ESP thing going on here?”

Carl grinned and called for the check. When the server came over, his aunt was still digging in her bag when he handed over his card.

“It’s covered Aunt Megan. I got it.”

Kath giggled at the sight of their aunt gold fishing. “Carl and I have been planning for a ‘just in case’ in secret since last summer vacation. That’s when we first started to worry about Mom. And now we’ve just added you to our secret club.”

Aunt Megan recovered herself, then gave her grand niece and nephew a steady look. “Sounds like we have some secret planning to do then. Shall we head home?”

The three of them were curled up on Aunt Megan’s couch sipping hot chocolate, as Kath and Carl explained just how much they had saved.

“So between you you’ve held back about five thousand dollars that only you control?” Aunt Megan asked incredulously.

“And about eight hundred in cash safely hidden away.” Carl wasn’t going to mention the three comics or his Aetherium holdings. “If we needed to run we could afford a cab all the way here. We always figured that we could come to you, but worried in case you were traveling or something.”

“And here was I thinking I’d scare you with all that talk of things possibly falling apart.” She shook her head while a smile played briefly across her lips.

“You know, it’s not fair how you two have been forced to even imagine any of this.”

“We didn’t have a lot of choice Aunty.” Kath shrugged. “At least we could talk to each other.” She grinned and wrapped an arm around her aunt. “And now we can talk to you.”

~o~O~o~

For the rest of the week the three of them set aside their worries and had fun. They visited all the attractions they’d planned, then spent the evenings in Aunt Megan’s kitchen cooking weird and wonderful dishes. When it finally came time to return to Harbor City Megan called ahead to confirm their planned arrival.

“Well, it sounds like things are better. We’ll find out when we get there I suppose. Let’s get on the road guys!” Aunt Megan declared.

Arriving back home, the three of them were met by a shamefaced reception committee at the front door. Sean and Jimmy standing nervously behind their father.

“Hi kids! Did you have a good time with your Aunt Megan?” Dad asked as he held his arms open towards his daughter.

“Hi Daddy, we had a great time!” Kath smiled and skipped into his hug, although Carl wryly noted that her smile never reached her eyes. He too stepped forward, equally plastering on a smile. “Yeah Dad, you’d have loved the Autry Museum! All about the Old West and cowboys and stuff!”

“That’s great! Come on in. We’ve got pizza tonight to celebrate. Dinner’s in ten minutes.” He led the way inside.

At the back Aunt Megan allowed herself a cynical smile, then followed along behind.

Over the next week the household settled into something like the routine from when Mom had been sick. Although all three of the elder McCarricks tended to glance over to Aunt Megan whenever they said or did something. She just smiled.

There were a couple of times when Dad and Aunt Megan would close themselves off in Dad’s office for a while, but afterwards everyone seemed to come out smiling and polite.

After another week Aunt Megan made an announcement at dinner.

“Well guys, I’m really proud of you all, and I know your mom would be too. I know it’s been really hard, but you’ve all begun to pull through as a family. It’s time for me to head back home rather than imposing on you anymore.” She saw the sudden crestfallen looks on Kath and Carl’s faces. “Don’t worry, I’ll come over every weekend. If only to bake you fresh Pecan and Apple pies to keep you going through the week. And remember, I’m only a ‘phone call away.” She carefully didn’t look at the two youngest as she reminded them of their emergency plans.

“Now, talking of Pecan pie, I just happened to slip one into the oven earlier. Has anyone got room for a slice?”

~o~O~o~

After Aunt Megan had returned to Pasadena, accompanied by Kath’s pouting, Carl found the remainder of the summer vacation vaguely surreal. Despite Mom’s bitterly felt absence, his routine felt little different from last summer. As before, he attended swim training and Kung Fu, and worked on the business with Kath. The main difference was in the home.

“Have you noticed how everyone is real careful and polite now, but the conversations feel like they’re scripted for some dorky TV show? Even Dog breath thinks twice before mouthing off?” He asked his little sister as they prepared another batch of kits for yet more unsuspecting college freshmen.

“When he’s around!” Kath snorted. “It used to be like I couldn’t turn round without tripping over the doofus, or hearing him killing things on his Xbox half the night. Now the only time he turns up seems to be when food’s on the table!” She slipped a cover letter and contents list into the next box in line before taping it down.

“Address label ready? Oh, thanks. And another thing. What’s the deal with Jimmy and Dad going to this ‘Men’s Group’ thing every week? I asked Jimmy and all he mentioned was some supposed ‘Guy Guru’ named Peterson and told me it was about Male Empowerment.”

“Huh? No idea Sis. They haven’t told me squat. Said I was too young.”

“Bloody chauvinists.”

Carl snerked. “Yeah, but don’t let Dad hear you say it.”

Carl also introduced Kath to the secrets of eBay and PayPal as he shared his system for running the business. “This way, if I’m not around, you can keep it running.”

“Why wouldn’t you be around?” She asked nervously.

“Well, like when we went to stay with Aunt Megan.” Carl shrugged. “Now, this bit is important. Here’s how to calculate how much to send to Dad’s checking account so he doesn’t get suspicious. The rest you keep in PayPal or shift to your card.”

“I don’t have a card.” She complained as she gave her bro a grumpy moue.

Carl grinned as he pulled out a pre pay card he’d ordered for Kath a week ago. “You do now! But remember you’ve got to keep it really hidden. Like seriously safe from Dad.”

“That’s easy! I’ll just put it in with my panties.” She giggled.

“Not a good idea Sis. Sean’s turning into a perv. He keeps on trying to get my laptop to look at porn. I wouldn’t put it past him to go rummaging.” Carl explained.

“Ewww! That’s disgusting!”
“That’s Sean.” Carl shrugged. “So try and think of a better hiding place. There, you’re set up. Now you can move cash around. The trick is lots of little transactions every few days, like they’re for services and stuff.”

“Let’s see. Oh wow! Hey Carl, they misspelled yours. You’re down as a Ms.” Kath chuckled.

“Yeah, dumb mistake. I ‘thought’ I selected Mr. That’ll teach me to rush.” He grinned embarrassedly. “The money’s still the same though right? Now let’s make sure you’ve got all this down cold partner. We can’t write anything down remember.”

The new school year soon rolled around, and for the first time in a long while Carl found himself properly looking forward to it. Eighth grade, no Sean, actual friends and the swim team. Yeah, all good.

Dad did try to have a go at him about his hair, which was getting kind of long and shaggy, but Kath quickly leapt to his defense as they sat down to eat.

“I think it makes him look quite dishy.” She told the family with an air of assurance.

Dad goggled. He wasn’t used to his little girl making comments on the attractiveness of boys. Even if he was her brother.

“Yeah, it makes him look like John DeLuca.” Kath finally decided, “and I know Gail likes running her fingers through his hair.”

Both Carl and Dad blushed beet red at her comment and the subject of his hair was never raised again.

Carl also made a point of keeping in touch with Michael Braybrooke. He’d got back from the sandbox in March, but had been posted to Camp LeJeune in North Carolina, so hadn’t been able to make it to Mom’s funeral. Mainly Carl kept him up to date with the local gossip and news in Harbor City, with the occasional box of cookies and home-made energy bars whenever Michael mentioned he was deploying on exercises. Michael’s big news came just after the start of the new school year. He’d been promoted to Corporal and was being posted back to Camp Pendleton, a ninety minute drive south of home. As he said, it was perfect because his four year hitch finished next June and he’d be near home to find work for a while before using his GI bill funding to go to college locally. He also promised he’d come up next time he had a weekend off to visit everyone.

~o~O~o~

With both Sean and Jimmy together in High School, Dad assumed that Jimmy would keep an eye on his little brother. What he’d forgotten was that lofty juniors on the football team did not hang around with lowly little freshmen.

The first hints that everything was not as it should be, was when Dad started to spot money going missing from his wallet. Not much, a five here or a ten there, but enough for him to notice. He took Carl to one side one evening to ask if he’d borrowed anything.

“Dad, why the heck would I? At Christmas I asked you for a humongous amount and you went straight out and got it for me. I don’t even ask for an allowance any more, and I rarely spend all of the forty dollars I draw from the business each month. I’ll show you. Hang on here a moment.” With that Carl went and collected his wallet. “Here. I’ve got about a hundred. I was saving it to buy Gail something for her birthday next week… uh, that’s odd.”

Carl checked through his wallet again but couldn’t find more than seventy dollars. He looked up at his father. “Dad, I think we got a problem again.”

He didn’t say anything more to his father, but they both had their suspicions about who was responsible. What Carl did do was quietly warn both Kath and Aunt Megan. He also sourced some more covert surveillance camera kits on eBay. Not the twenty-five dollar cheap kit he’d got before, but good quality equipment with both low light and sound recording capability. He had it delivered to the Seven Eleven. Then he waited until only Kath and Aunt Megan were home, and reluctantly keeping watch for him, before installing and testing everything.

It took a week for Carl to work out exactly what was going on, and when he did he was stunned.

“Aunt Megan, it’s Carl.”

“Good afternoon dear, it’s lovely to hear from you. How is everything?”

“Umm, not good Aunty.”

Immediately Aunt Megan’s tone changed. “Do you need me to come down?”

“I don’t think so. I kinda need some advice. Some serious advice.”

“Go on dear.”

“You know we put in those cameras?”

“I’m still not sure that was the best choice we could have made. Are you saying you found something about the missing money?”

“It’s worse than that Aunty. I found out why.”

“Go on.”

“It’s Sean. I’ve got him on camera taking ten bucks from my wallet. Then I also got him in the garage messing around in that old sideboard that’s been there for years.”

“How is that worse?”

“I, uh, went to have a look around when he was upstairs playing on his Xbox. Hidden down the back of one of the drawers was a plastic bag with some pills and a couple of what looked like joints.”

Aunt Megan’s voice sharpened. “Did you touch anything or disturb anything Carl? This is important.”

“I had my suspicions so I wore those disposable gloves we put in the kits. I left everything the way I found it. What do I do now?” Carl all but wailed.

“You do nothing. Leave this to me. I’ll deal with it on Saturday when I come visit. In the meantime, say nothing and don’t go anywhere near there again. Understand? Oh, and do NOT, under any circumstances, breathe a word of this to Kath. Promise?”

“Promise!” Carl offered fervently. “Thank you Aunty. You’re a life saver”

“Maybe for you. I wouldn’t be so sure about Sean.” She replied ominously.

Aunt Megan timed her ‘discovery’ so that Carl and Kath were both away at their Kung Fu class and had already been there for at least an hour. Later that afternoon, when the two of them were walking back from the bus stop, both were shocked to see an LAPD cruiser parked outside the house. Quickly Carl thumbed his smartphone before dropping it into his jacket pocket.

Even as Carl was opening the front door Kath was already calling out. “Aunt Megan? Dad? What’s happening? Has someone been in an accident?”

She dived inside only to be confronted by an overweight uniformed cop. “Who are you and how did you get in Missy?” He demanded.

“I live here! What are you doing in our house?”

“And you young man?” He turned to Carl.

“The same. What’s going on?”

“You just wait here, both of you. Oh and pass over those bags please.” He reached for their gym bags.

Carl handed over his bag. If the cop wanted to rummage through his dirty training gear he didn’t mind.

“Carl, what’s going on?” Kath asked. “Why did you give him your bag?”

“Kath, it’s okay, he’s just doing his job.” Carl tried to reassure his sister. “It’s probably just procedure, nothing personal.”

Finally the officer cracked a smile. “Your brother’s right young lady. It’s just routine for your safety as well as ours. So where have you been?”

“Umm, should I answer that?” She looked again to her big brother.

“It’s okay Sis. Sir, we just got back from training down at the Shaolin temple Kung Fu school on Lomita and Narbonne.”

“And what time…” The officer started, but Carl overrode him. “I’m sorry sir, but we’d really like to know where our Dad or Aunt Megan are. We’d be happy to help you, but I’m not sure if you’re allowed to question minors without a parent or something present. So the sooner we can see them the sooner we can answer your questions. Is that okay sir?”

The officer frowned. “Wait here.” He told them then muttered into his radio. A few moments later Aunt Megan appeared with another officer.

“Aunt Megan! What’s happening? Why are the police here asking us questions and searching our bags?” Kath demanded in a rush.

“It’s okay sweetie, I’m here.” Aunt Megan soothed while hugging Kath. Then she looked sharply at the overweight cop holding Carl’s gym bag. “You questioned them officer?”

“No ma’am, we were just talking, waiting for you to get here.”

Carl snerked loudly, which drew suspicious looks from everyone. Then he carefully pulled his phone out of his jacket by the fingertips. “I’ll just stop this recording now shall I?”

Thirty minutes later the police were gone, taking Sean with them, as Dad phoned around trying to find a juvenile criminal lawyer. Carl looked at his and Sean’s bedroom with dismay. Everything had been emptied and dumped on the floor.

“Come on downstairs sweetie. I’ll make you and Kath a hot chocolate and explain what’s happened.”

As Aunt Megan told the tale, she had remembered there was a school reunion coming up in a couple of months, so wanted to see if any of her old photo albums from those days had been saved. She recalled that they used to be stored in the old sideboard and got Dad to help her look if they were still there. When Dad found the drugs he went ballistic and it was he who called in the cops. They caught Sean an hour later as he came through the back door and tested him on the spot. When it showed positive both the police and Dad put the thumb screws on and Sean cracked in minutes, admitting the stash was his.

“So what happens to Sean now Aunt Megan?” Kath asked.

“Well it depends on the court, but usually a first offender like Sean will be ordered to attend a drug rehab program.”

“So he’ll still be at school and get cured?”

“That’s the aim sweetie. We’ll just have to see what the lawyers and judges have to say.”

With that Carl levered himself up from the table and trudged wearily up the stairs to start putting things to rights. What had happened to Sean had been brutal, but he couldn’t see any other way things could have worked out. Maybe Sean’d get sorted. He didn’t think he would, but there was a chance it would all come out okay.

The one person Carl felt sorriest for was Kath. He recalled seeing her shock and fear as she had been confronted by a policeman inside her own home. It was like her comfy haven had been violated and was no longer safe or private, forcing her to grow up and face the world as it really was. Yeah, he understood that.