We picked up our lives where we left off when we got home. We both kept working until camp started, me in the print shop and Eva as a tutor. She made a lot more money than I did, hourly at least. And it was something she could keep doing during the summer, at least a few hours on Saturday or Sunday. A little extra money always comes in handy. Eva even suggested I could do the same, on weekends, in almost any subject. Her GPA was a perfect A, 4.0 and mine was 3.88. Physics screwed my perfect A. We were both elected to Phi Beta Kappa (as I mentioned earlier).
One thing we noticed when we got back was Cammy was becoming more morose. She was fifteen, going on sixteen come October, had been through her first relationship and heartbreak, and at first Eva and I just thought it was a phase she was going through. She had no plans for the summer so we asked if she also wanted to work at camp as a Junior counselor. It wasn't a lot of money, about $200 for the summer, but it would be a fun way for her to spend the time and besides, she was also good with kids. She was a babysitter for some of the parents in the neighborhood and much in demand.
"I don't know" Cammy said when Eva and I brought it up to her when she was over for dinner one night. It wasn't too late for her to be hired; there were a number of openings still. "I...can I tell you both something?" She looked anxious and upset.
"Since when can't you talk to us?" I asked my sister. Eva and I leaned across the table and we each held one of her hands. "We're always here for you. You know that. So what's up, sis?"
Cammy took a minute to collect herself. "It's dad. I don't want to live with him anymore."
Eva asked her "Cammy, is he drinking again?"
"No, it's not that. Well, a little. But it's him and Jessie. She sleeps over almost every night and I...can hear them. You know. They don't even try to keep it down."
Eva blushed a little and I may have as well. I was happy he found someone but I expected him to show some discretion around his fifteen year old daughter. Eva and I never behaved that way in front of our families, not in front of anyone. We were affectionate, sure, but never inappropriate. If Cammy was right, dad and Jessie were behaving like fourteen year olds with free reign of the house. Except Cammy was there. Once again, I had to question just what kind of a man my father was.
"Cammy, would you go in the living room and turn on the TV? Eva and I have to talk alone for a few minutes." My sister, again suffering inside, went into the other room and Eva and I stayed at the kitchen table to talk.
"Sweetheart, we can't leave her there if your father and Jessie are going to keep behaving like that. We just can't."
I took a deep breath and let out a frustrated sigh. "Damn him, already. Why do we have to keep on cleaning up his messes? This should be our time to be able to make noises and be naughty in our own home."
"Jon...don't ever 'damn' your father" Eva said sternly. "I don't know what's wrong with him, why he keeps getting into these situations. Maybe we can convince him to get help. But whether he does or doesn't, we can't leave Cammy in that house. Not even a single night more. She needs a stable home life. Even if we have to drive her to and from school for the last month of the year. Even if we end up having to go to family court for custody. I won't leave her in that situation." Her face was determined and her voice was steel.
I took her hand and squeezed gently. "I really hit the jackpot when we I found you. I don't know how I did it. But you're amazing. I love you so much. All right, I'm going to take Cammy home and have it out with my dad. If he doesn't listen to me, she'll pack a suitcase for a few days and I'll bring her home. But honestly, legally, I don't know if we can keep her for more than a few days without his permission. He's her legal guardian."
"I guess we'd have to take him to court, then, like we were going to do two years ago. And I'll do it with you, sweetheart. Just like I would for Will and Walt if my parents fell apart. I love Cammy just as much."
I stood up, helped Eva to her feet, and I hugged her as tight as I could without hurting her. "I'm so lucky. And so is Cammy. I don't know what we'd be doing if you weren't in our lives."
Eva held me as well and said "I'm just as lucky. I fell in love with the best man imaginable." We kissed a couple of short pecks. "Go ahead. If you have to bring you sister back, I want to get her settled for the night. At least tomorrow is Saturday, no school."
I got Cammy, who also gave Eva a huge hug. We're a very affectionate bunch even to this day. We went to my car and during the twenty minute ride back to dad's house, I told Cammy that she was welcome to stay with me and Eva as long as she wanted, but it could be difficult depending on how dad reacted. I also told her we'd take it one day at a time, starting with how he reacted when I talked to him.
I held her hand as we went inside and there was the sound of boisterous, flirty laughter. They were making out on the couch like teens, and straightened up quickly when they heard us come in the door. Their clothes were disheveled and Jessie's lipstick was smeared all over her lips. I wondered what we would have walked in on fifteen minutes later.
"Dad," I said, ignoring Jessie, "we have to talk. Again." Cammy sat on the floor and I sat on a wing chair, facing him. "Cammy told us tonight that you and Jessie are behaving...inappropriately around her. Making noises she shouldn't be hearing. Walking around like you are now, not even trying to be discreet. In front of your fifteen year old daughter. Think about that."
"Hey, don't talk about me like I'm not even here!" Jessie said defiantly. "I live here too! And what we do is none of either of your business!"
"Jessie, this is between my father and his children. Stay out of it!"
"Jon, don't you talk to her like that!" My father said with anger. "I love her and you talk to her with respect!"
"Respect? How about respecting your daughter? How about setting a good example for her? What the hell is wrong with you anyway? Don't you give a damn about anyone besides yourself?"
"And don't you talk to ME like that either, Jon! I'm still your father!"