A Changed Life (12 page)

“Do not take that tone with me young lady. Dad now pointing at me. Tell me right now what the hell has been going on with Michael, and how you ended up with an injured wrist?”

I look to my mom for help, and she looks at me wide eyed. I had told mom about how Michael was pursuing me, and not my father.

“Well, I’m waiting.”

“Daddy, please calm down.”

“I’ll calm down when you start talking, Nicolette.” Getting up and shoving his chair back. “This is not like you to keep things from us, and now a boy comes into our home and hurts you, but no, Nicolette, you don’t tell us. This is what I won’t calm down from, so start talking now.”

Mom is now standing up and walking over to my father. Grabbing dad’s hand to talk to him, but he wasn’t having it. He pulled away from mom and shot daggers at me, daddy looked scary to me, and I was responsible. “Mason! Can I talk to you inside for a minute?

Please come with me?” Without looking at me, he followed my mother back into the house, and I was left alone.

Why, didn’t I just talk to them? I have never seen my father look at me the way he just did. I’ve never really been in trouble; he’s acting as if I broke his trust. I gripped my knees harder and cried until my parents re-joined me. Dad wrapping his arms around me, calming me with his now softened voice.

“I’m sorry baby, please stop crying. Seeing bruises on my daughter doesn’t sit well with me, Nicolette. I feel like punching something. Are you okay? You must tell me the truth.”

“Yes, Daddy, I’m fine.”

“Mom filled me in about Michael, now can you tell me about Simon and his history with him. How do you fit into it?”

“I don’t dad, I’m only involved because I’m dating Simon. Simon’s girlfriend who died last year in a car accident was cheating on him with Michael. There’s much more to the story dad, but it really doesn’t have anything to do with what happened to me last night. You see, I met Michael at his father’s Fourth of July party, well that was the same day I also met Simon. Michael had been flirting with me throughout the party, but I wasn’t in to him. I met Simon, and I instantly was attracted to him. Michael hasn’t gotten the message that I’m not interested. Simon has warned him to back off of me, but because you and mom work with his father, I have been trying to maintain some civility between us.

To please Simon, I tried my best to stay clear of Michael. Every time they are in the same room with each other, things get tense and I didn’t want them to fight. I also didn’t want to cause trouble for you and mom. I guess me trying to do the right thing by everyone back fired in my face.”

“Oh honey, this is not your fault. Don’t you know you can come to us with anything? No matter what it is?” Crying again, I nod my head and dad just pulls me into his chest for a hug. “Come on now, enough with the crying. Nicolette, let me see your wrist.” My father examined my wrist, turning it slowly to make sure I could move it. I winced a little when he pressed on it, but I could move it. I think it’s just sprained, why don’t you go upstairs and get dressed, and then come down and I’ll wrap it for you.”

“So, no emergency room?” I let out a sigh of relief.

“No, I don’t think that’s necessary.” My father smiled. I left my parents to talk while I went back up to my room.

“Mason, talk to me.”

“What do you expect me to say, Christina? This boy comes into our home and assaults our daughter, right under our noses, and I’m not supposed to be angry about it?”

“I didn’t say that, Mason. We just need to figure out the best way to handle this.”

“I can start my shaking some sense into Clayton’s son. What the hell was he thinking, Christina? This can’t wait a minute longer, we can call him from the car.”

Watching my dad from the doorway, he looks so angry. I did that by not being honest with them. He’s gripping the sides of the counter, his knuckles are white. I walk up behind him and wrap my arms around him. “I’m so sorry daddy, please forgive me for causing this mess.”

“Nicolette, I promise you everything will be ok. You did nothing wrong, he did. I see you wrapped your wrist. Does it still hurt?”

“Gracie took care of it for me. It’s just a little tender, but the Advil is helping.”

“We’re going over to talk with Clayton and his son.”

Raising my voice, “Well I’m not going.”

Cupping my face, “Nicolette, you don’t have a choice. This has gone on long enough. This nonsense ends today with Michael, now let’s go.”

Driving over to the St. Clair’s, my stomach was doing flips. Mom and dad were talking up front, while I listened to music on my IPOD. My phone chimes with a text message, it’s from Simon.

Simon:
Hey! How’s my girl doing?

Me:
Good

Simon:
Just good? I think we can do better than that.

Me:
What did you have in mind?

Simon:
You on the back on my bike with your legs wrapped around me, and holding on tight ;)

Me:
Um…YES! But I can’t right now

Simon:
:(

Me:
Out with the parents, can I text you when I get home?

Simon:
Yes, but hurry!

Me:
I will : )

Well that was fun, texting with Simon. My phone is now ringing. I guess Simon couldn’t wait. My face falls when I see the number. Mom looks over at me with worried eyes. “Mom, it’s Michael.” My voice is barely above a whisper.

Mom’s facial expression changed from worried to rage. “What the hell? The nerve of that boy calling you. Hand me your phone, Nicolette, I would love to hear what he has to say.”

I hand over my phone, and mom puts the call on speaker for my father to listen. We say nothing, and it didn’t register with Michael that I didn’t say hello, because he began to talk right away.

“Hey, Nicolette. I want to apologize for my behavior last night.”

“What behavior is that, Michael? The way you have been stalking my daughter or the way you put your hands on her. YOU,” raising his voice louder, pronouncing each word as he spoke to Michael, “You sprained her wrist.”

There was silence.

“Hello? Are you still there?”

“I’m here, sir.”

“You have nothing to say?”

“I’m so sorry for hurting Nicolette. I never meant too.”

“So, you admit to what you did to her?”

“Yes, sir. I am very sorry. Please believe me.”

“Michael this conversation is not over. Tell your father we are on our way over. We plan on discussing this face-to-face, do you understand me?”

“Yes, sir.”

My father ends the call before another word is spoken. He looks at my mother and I. Mom hands back my phone and gives me a reassuring look. “Don’t worry baby, everything will be ok.”

“Mom, why did I have to go? I really don’t want to see Michael right now.”

“Nicolette, there is nothing to be afraid of, your father and I will be with you. Clayton needs to be told how his son has been behaving, and what he did last night.”

Mom, I don’t feel so good, I really think I’m going to throw up.”

“Take some deep breaths, Nicolette. This is just your nerves.”

Pulling up to the gate, the security guard waves us in. My father parks the car and turns to me before we get out. Holding my hands, and giving me his best, it’s going to be ok look. “Nicolette, for the last time, there is nothing to be afraid of.” I simply nod at my father, and we make our way to the front door.

My stomach was in knots as we entered the St. Clair’s palatial estate. As much as daddy tried to convince me that everything would be ok, I have a sinking feeling that it wouldn’t. Not that he would try anything again; I honestly didn’t want to get into another confrontation with Michael.

We were invited in by a housekeeper and asked to wait in the library for Mr. St. Clair. My father paced and looked down at his watch. He didn’t like to be kept waiting. Mr. St. Clair entered with a man who was introduced to us as one of his lawyers. My father just scowled.

After introductions, we were asked to grab one of the eight seats around a large mahogany table.

“Clayton, you must know why we are here. Look at my daughter’s wrist. Your son is responsible for this.”

“Mason, before this gets out of hand, I want to apologize on behalf of my son. Michael is sorry for his behavior toward Nicolette. He never meant to hurt her. Their conversation escalated, and one thing led to another.”

“Clayton, I don’t see it that way at all. My daughter tried to extricate herself from the conversation, and your son prevented her from doing so. He grabbed her wrist, causing injury to her.”

“Look, Christina, Mason, we have an exceptionally good working relationship. I would be displeased to have it compromised. You have my word that this will never happen again. I have spoken with Michael, and he has given me assurances that he will not bother Nicolette again. I for one would like to move on from this unfortunate incident and put it behind us, wouldn’t you?”

Rolling her eyes at him, “Is that why you have a lawyer here, Clayton, so we can move on?” Asked my mother.

“Christina, John was here already on other matters, so I asked him to join us. Not satisfied with his answer, mom just scoffed and shook her head.

“Where is your son, Clayton? Dad asked. He obviously told you that we were on our way over, I was hoping to speak with him.”

“Mason, Michael is not here right now. I felt it was best if I be the one to speak with you today. Mr. St. Clair now addressed me. Nicolette, Michael explained to me what occurred with you, surely you will take some responsibility for the part you played in this? You did physically assault him as well.”
Did I hear him right? Is Clayton actually turning this around on me?
I silently sat there in a state of shock, as he kept his cool demeanor. My father on the hand exploded with rage.

Pushing out from the table, as my father’s chair falls back to the floor. “You didn’t just say that, Clayton? You have to be out of your mind to think that we are going to sit here and listen to you pass the blame onto our daughter. What did you expect her to do? She defended herself against your piece of shit son. I’d say your son got off easy. I want your son to stay away from my daughter! No calls, no visits, no flower deliveries, and if he tries to contact Nicolette in any manner, I will get a restraining order. Do I make myself clear on this matter?”

“Yes.”

“Now as far as business goes, Clayton, Christina and I are song writers, we are not on your payroll. We already have established relationships with John and the other musicians. We can walk away at any time.”

“Is that what you want, Mason, to break our contract?”

“If that’s what it takes to keep my daughter safe, yes.”

“Mason, I don’t think you fully understand what is at stake here. You are involving what is a personal matter and letting it cross over into our working business relationship. Separate the two, because they are not the same.”

Both men were staring at each other now, with my father trying to regain his composure. Clayton, remained cool and calm. I had to say something to break up the obvious tension.