I was about to try though.
“I know you do.” She sniffled, pushing herself off her knees. “Okay. No more crying. This is a good thing for you.” She sucked in a deep breath and used the backs of her hands to wipe the tears away.
Then her shoulders squared.
Fuck.
“I’m gonna need you to take that check from your brother,” she told me sternly.
“I can’t do that. Till made his own way in life. I’m a grown-ass man now. I want to do the same.”
“You might be a ‘grown-ass man’”—she tossed me a pair of air quotes—“but you’re still his little brother. Flint, he sat in silence for years to be able to earn enough money to write you that check.”
“I’m sorry—”
“Shut up and listen to me.”
I rolled my eyes, but she didn’t seem to care.
“When Till initially went deaf, he gave me three excuses as to why he needed to continue boxing instead of getting the cochlear implant: to buy me a home.” She waved her arms around the room. “To pay for the best specialist for Quarry.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “And lastly, to be able to pay for your college. He always brags to anyone who will listen about how smart you are. He adores the fact that you actually enjoy school, and he wanted to be able to give you that. He doesn’t want you to have to bust your ass the way he did.”
“I can’t take his money,” I repeated.
“You have to. And if you want me to let this go and keep my mouth shut about the real reason you’re leaving, then you will take that check and drive off in that van he bought for you months ago.”
“I’m not taking the minivan. It’s ridiculous.”
“It really is.” She laughed before getting serious again. “But you’re gonna take it. And that check too. If you’re planning to disappear for a while, at least give us both the peace of mind that you aren’t struggling.”
“I don’t want—”
“Here you go,” Till announced, walking back into the room. “I wasn’t sure how much the dorms are. I tried to look it up, but I swear it just confused me more. Anyway, I think this should cover that and tuition. Let me know if you need more. I’ll get a stipend set up for you next week.” He extended the check in my direction.
I immediately backed away. “Listen—” I started, but Eliza cleared her throat, catching my attention.
“Take it,” she mouthed behind his back.
Till was absolutely not paying for my college, but I could take his check to keep the peace. Cashing it would be a different story.
I took it from his hands. “Thanks. I really appreciate it.” I flashed my gaze back to Eliza, who continued our secret conversation.
“And,” she mouthed.
Shaking my head, I looked back at Till. “And can I have the keys to the van?” I mumbled.
His eyes lit, and a huge smile grew on his face. “She must have some serious dirt on you if you agreed to take the money and the van. Jesus, that woman is good.” He let out a loud laugh, looking over his shoulder at Eliza, who innocently shrugged.
“That she is,” I confirmed.
“Come on. I’ll show you all the stuff I had added to it. The hand pedals are super easy to use. Let me grab the keys and I’ll meet you out there.” He squeezed my shoulder and walked toward the garage.
I started after him, but just before I made it to the door, Eliza stopped me.
“Hey, Flint.”
I turned to face her.
“Come back, okay? Take some time and get your head straight. But please, just come back.” She smiled tightly, tears once again flooding her eyes.
“I promise.” I swallowed hard, praying that it was one I could keep.
Armed with a bag of clothes, a check folded in my pocket, and a handicap-equipped minivan, I pulled out of Till and Eliza’s driveway. As I watched the mansion disappear in my rearview mirror, I had absolutely no plans of going back—despite whatever promise I had made Eliza. I couldn’t even conjure a day where that place wouldn’t send me into a tailspin.
My first stop was the college. I spent hours filling out paperwork: admissions, financial aid, and housing. Fortunately, they’d extended the acceptance I had received before the accident. Unfortunately, there was actually a two-year wait list on the handicapped dorms. The best news I received all day, though, was the fact that being broke had its advantages. The financial counselor set me up with enough loans and grants to cover tuition, with money left over to cover housing too. It would take several weeks to get the money, but that was okay. I still had the difficult task of finding a place to live first.