Chapter 9

Holly

I 'm feeling somewhat smug at the message from Sin letting us know he's caused drama for poor little Car-Lot. I'm hoping she gets to learn some valuable lessons through all the upset she has caused. But, more than likely not, she's too thick-skinned, and up her own ass to care about anyone except herself.

Looking at the message on my phone, I grin once more. This is turning out to be a brilliant morning. Stanley has moved into the cottage on Sin's property and is going to be working as not a butler but a coordinator, which he thought was a massive uptick to his job title. I love Stanley, as he was often the only one who showed care while I was living in my parents' home. I've missed him and want to spend some time with him, and rekindle our relationship, which was more father/daughter than anything else.

The Saturday meeting was great. We had a great night and throwing ideas on how to make Liv's cheating boyfriend pay the piper.

Monday work load done, and I love my job. It's far better than the teaching assistant one I had previously. Walking out of the office building and heading towards my vehicle, I'm surprised to be stopped by none other than Clyde.

"Thanks to you, I'm leaving town. I can't get a fucking job anywhere, and I've left Charlotte. I've more than had enough of her whining." Clyde is pulling at his hair and looking decidedly worn.

When I don't respond, but only stand watching him and waiting for whatever he's got to say next, I become aware of Liv and Suzie stepping to each side of me.

"You've got nothing to say? You ruin my life and say nothing?" Clyde rants.

"Whatever you think is my doing, think again. You are a cheating piece of garbage, a nothing of a man, if I can even call you a man. Anything and everything that is happening to you is because of you. Now go whine with Car-Lot because I'm not interested."

"I've ditched Charlotte. Enough whining when she came home and said she was demoted to stock clerk. All that is due to some asshole going into the store and complaining about her."

Now, we have no embarrassment about what we've done, or are going to do, hence, we high five each other, shoulder slamming him as we walk past and head to my vehicle. Smiling evilly at each other as we hear Clyde complaining about his life going to shit, and leaving the state and taking his parents with him. Oh good, the monster-in-law is leaving town.

After dropping Liv at her place, I park the vehicle and wave as Suzie heads into her house and I walk into mine. Throwing my purse on the table next to the front door, I flick my shoes off and walk into the kitchen. I pop a pod into the coffee machine and make my way upstairs to freshen up and change.

Downstairs, I'm sipping the coffee as I sit in the living room looking out the window, people-watching as they are walking past. It's such an eye-opening experience to see what people get up to when walking down the street. Shouting at their kids, picking their noses, smiling as they speak on their phones. I love this time of the day, when the work is done and I can take a breather without feeling I have to hurry to the next thing on my daily agenda.

When my phone rings, I smile when I see it's Stanley. Taking the call quickly and eagerly. "Hi, Stanley, how are you? All settled in your cottage?"

"I am, Holly. I wanted to thank you for getting me away from that horrid house and to a new home and job. Sinclair is going to be easy to work for, I'm sure. He's nothing like your parents, thankfully."

"He's a good person. A very successful businessman, I'm told. He has a large company, but he has no tendencies to throw it around. He comes across as any man on the street."

Hearing Stanley chuckle, I pay more attention to what I'm saying, and how I'm saying it.

"Now do I hear a soft spot for Sinclair, Holly?" Stanley teases.

"Yeah, I suppose you do. I very much like him. He's a good person who's had an unpleasant experience similar to mine."

"Holly, you were well rid of Clyde and that family. Live your life how you see fit. You are a good person, and you did not deserve the treatment you had in the past or the present. I know I shouldn't gossip but, did you hear your parents were thrown off committees after the way they showed their true colors at the fundraiser?"

"I did, and it seems they can't get onto any others either. They've been removed from all the ones they had been on, one-by-one. They gave little financially compared to most and let's be honest, they only gave what they did so they could try to look important." I know I have a snark in my voice, but I'm allowed.

"Come over on the weekend and I'll make us a meal, open a bottle of wine, and catch up."

"Oh, Stanley, I would love to do that. I've missed you so much, and from now on we stay in touch all the time. No more hiding how we feel about each other. You are more a father to me than my own has ever been, and I don't care who knows that. In fact, if you are good with it, I'd like to call you Pa."

"I would be honored to be called Pa, and to claim you as a daughter. Now, I'll see you on Saturday, confirm later in the week. I have to go before you have me blubbering like a fool."

I look at my phone when I realize that Pa has gone. But grin when I think to myself, I have a Pa that cares, and one I love dearly.

My phone pings and looking at it, I see a message.

Benjamin: No charity will take your parents or monster-in-law onto their committees from this point. Not in any State.

Holly: I don't know how you achieved that and don't want to. But, thank you Benjamin.

Benjamin: You're welcome, and it's the most fun I've had in ages, just so you know [winking emoji]

Mother and father blacklisted–Tick

Car-Lot demoted–Tick

Car-Lot and Clyde broke up–Tick

Monster-in-Law blacklisted–Tick

Clyde and Monster-in-Law moving states–Tick

Stanley new job and my Pa–Tick

I need to open a bottle of Champagne…maybe not, as I seem to have been having a lot of hangovers of late.

The door catches my attention as someone is knocking loudly on it. I look out of the window and see it's Car-Lot. Now am I surprised she has turned up to whine? No, not at all.

Just as I'm about to open the door I hear, "Get away from that door, you nasty bitch." Oh, seems Suzie is still home. She can't have gone for her evening run yet.

"I need to speak to Holly." I hear Car-Lot whining.

"I don't give a shit what you want. Get away from that door before I call 911 and report an intruder on the property. Nobody, and I mean nobody, gives a single care about what you want, what you do, or anything else. Now, for the last time, get away from that door, get into your vehicle and get gone, and if you don't, you'll earn more than just a demotion." Suzie snarls, and peeking through the crack in the curtains, I watch as Car-Lot storms away to her vehicle before driving away.

"You can open the door now, Holly," Suzie shouts, and laughs when I open the door. "That was fun. I hope she comes back."

Shaking my head at Suzie as she follows me into the kitchen, I pour her a glass of wine from the box I keep in the fridge and chink my mug with her glass. "She probably wanted to complain about losing her important position in the store," rolling my eyes so badly it's a wonder I can't see out the back of my head. "Oh, and Clyde, it seems, is moving out-of-state and taking his parents with him."

We giggle, chink glasses once more and Suzie states, "Ding, family reputation gone. Ding, end of match."