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    The Arrangement
    The Arrangement
    The Arrangement
    Ebook91 pages1 hour

    The Arrangement

    By Sasha McCallum

    4.5/5

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    About this ebook

    Elise is lured into letting a cousin stay in her flat, but when Micah arrives a weird bond is formed which will cement both their lives.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSasha McCallum
    Release dateMar 28, 2018
    ISBN9781370533121
    The Arrangement
    Author

    Sasha McCallum

    "Talent and success are perpendicular to each other." Sergei Dovlatov

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      Book preview

      The Arrangement - Sasha McCallum

      THE ARRANGEMENT

      Sasha McCallum

      Copyright © 2018 Sasha McCallum

      Smashwords Edition

      Smashwords Licence Notes

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment, it may not be re-sold or given away to others. If you would like to share it with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, please return to your dealer and buy your own copy. Thank you for respecting the work of this author.

      Table of Contents

      Chapter 1

      Chapter 2

      Chapter 3

      Chapter 4

      Chapter 5

      Chapter 6

      About the Author

      Other titles

      1

      On Monday night I got a call from my mother. It was after ten, which in my book was an unreasonable time to phone. But I'd always imposed restrictions on other people's interference with my life, restrictions they often didn't understand and considered stupid. I rarely slept before midnight but did not like to remain open for contact after ten, it was my code and screw whoever didn't like it.

      I was therefore pissed off when my mother's number started flashing at close to eleven while I was watching The Mick with a mudpack on my face. I ignored the first call but my hopes were dashed when she called a second time and I answered.

      Hi, Mum, I said, both irritated and glum.

      "Elise, I have a favour to ask." The good thing about my mother was that she didn't beat around the bush, but this was a new one—a late night phone call to ask for a favour? Troubling thoughts tripped around my imagination.

      Is something wrong? What do you need?

      "Yes, something is most definitely wrong." The thoughts multiplied and dispersed.

      Is it Dad? I asked her tensely. Is he...?

      She grunted with scorn. "Don't be ridiculous. Your father will outlive us all."

      What is it, Mum? I asked, losing patience.

      "You've seen all these sob stories on the news showing families living in their cars, on the streets?"

      Yes, it's largely due to the ho— I began but she cut me off promptly.

      "My cousin Mary's daughter needs a place to stay for a while. You've got that big flat all to yourself, she'll take your spare room." She said it as if it was set in stone already and I almost laughed.

      You can't be serious, I said, never having had a demand like this before and doubting its legitimacy.

      "She's at AU, so you're perfect," she said and her voice was firm, slicing.

      What? I began to panic. No. Mum, this is bang out of order. I can't do it. I'm shocked that you would even ask.

      "You can do it and you will. I don't ask much from you, the family doesn't ask much from you. And considering what you've put us through over the years it's about time you stepped up."

      But I... I stuttered. I need my space. I like living alone.

      "I know you do, her voice softened substantially, but just this once, I'm asking you to put your own feelings aside. It's important, you'd agree if you could see what I could; Micah needs help."

      This is emotional blackmail, I said, feeling a great well of despair rise in my chest. She would get her way, when she turned soft on me like that it was not a subject she would back down on. I was in for it.

      "It is nothing of the sort, her voice became clipped again. It is simple coercion."

      Jesus Chr—

      "Don't blaspheme! she yelled and I winced. Look, she's smart like you, you'll get along fine."

      I can hear in your voice even you don't believe that.

      "Regardless, you'll make do. If you can manage not to kill each other."

      Micah? I asked, frowning into the phone. Have I ever even met her?

      "I don't know. Maybe when you were younger, at one of the weddings or funerals."

      How old is she?

      "19, 20. You can ask her all that yourself. Right now she's living in a motel, that's why this whole thing is urgent. I'll text you the details and you'll go meet her tomorrow. If you don't, she'll be homeless."

      I shut my eyes and rubbed at the spot between my eyebrows, ignoring the muck on my fingers.

      Why do you care what happens to this girl? Isn't Mary the one you hate?

      "Call it guilt."

      Guilt for what?

      "That's not your concern. You have indiscretions of your own you need to make up for. Your concern is to do what I say and allow Micah to stay with you. She's not doing so well at the moment and her problems are right up your alley."

      I don't know what that means, I said cautiously. Was the girl dangerous?

      "You cracked up when you were a teenager, I had to live through it—we all did. For years, I might add. I honestly never thought you were going to get past it, I thought you would be dead by now."

      "Gee, thanks, mother."

      "My point is, you've hit rock bottom and clawed your way out of it. Maybe you'll be able to understand Micah, maybe you'll be able to get through to her. Pay it forward."

      I'm not a fucking psychologist!

      "Language! She doesn't need a psychologist, she needs a place to stay and maybe a kick in the ass every now and then."

      Why does it have to be me? I asked miserably.

      "You're close to where she studies and her parents have kicked her out. She can't afford any accommodations nearby. It's a matter of convenience as much as anything."

      Why did her parents kick her out?

      "They're not as resilient as your family was."

      Mum just spit it out. If she's going to stay here then I need to know what I'm dealing with.

      "Bruce and Mary are not the most supportive people. They believe that her presence in the house is adversely affecting their own relationship. They say she treats them like aliens not parents."

      It sounds like they're the ones with the problem, not her.

      "Good, so she'll stay with you. It's settled."

      No. No, it's not. You haven't told me anything!

      "You can handle it, she's a nice girl."

      A nice girl? Incredulous, I couldn't believe my mother's gall.

      "Compared to what you used to be, she's an angel. She needs some stability, that's all."

      *

      I was told to be at the inn early Tuesday evening so I went straight after work, keen to get it out of the way. I arrived just before seven; it had been a long, hot day, the tarmac burned and getting out of the air-conditioned car was an unattractive prospect even for a few minutes. I needed to be inside, or swimming—anything but this.

      It

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