It was good to know some things ran in the Turner family. Like their need to hijack other people’s online network.
“No!” Tennessee gasped, sitting upright on the bed. “Are you kidding me? The gasshole! I can’t believe him.”
I couldn’t believe she said gasshole. Intentionally.
How old was this woman, three?
And how come she didn’t have any problem dressing like a streetwalker when she gave strong prude vibes in other regards?
“Yes,” Trinity said hotly. “But let me tell you, I was there when it happened, and Bear did not appreciate Rob going behind your back at all. He told him, and it’s a quote, ‘I don’t want to see you. Not because of what you did to me. We don’t know each other, so I’m not gonna take it personally. But because of what you did to my mom.’ That’s what he said. Said he couldn’t imagine betraying you like that. Then he hung up on him. It was epic.”
I expected her to cheer this development, but her frown surprised me.
“He wouldn’t be betraying me. I want him to have a father figure in his life.” Tennessee gnawed at that bottom pouty lip now, forgetting I was in the room. “I just hate that Rob did that without telling me. Shows that he hasn’t changed at all.”
“Well, you did ghost him for two weeks,” Trinity pointed out.
“He ghosted me for thirteen years!”
“True. The flip-head.”
There was so much wrong with this family and their vocabulary I didn’t know where to start.
“Can you do me a favor?” Tennessee asked. “I need to ensure this doesn’t get out of control. Can you ask Bear to hand over his cell phone so that Rob cannot get to him? I want to give this man a piece of my mind and don’t want Bear to feel pressured.”
“I don’t think Bear’s gonna like being punished for Rob’s actions,” Trinity warned.
“Me neither. Tell him I’ll buy him the video game that he wants. And take him to that burger place in Salem.”
“All right. Stay safe, sis.”
“You, too.”
They hung up.
Tennessee still ignored my existence. She tapped her fingers against her knee worriedly. I appreciated how much she cared for her son, and how protective she was of him. She was obviously crazy about that kid.
“Want me to talk to him?” I asked.
Her head whipped up, like she’d just remembered I was there.
“Rob,” I explained. “Not Bear.”
I didn’t know Bear. He wasn’t my patient—his mom took him to an out-of-town clinic—and I had seen very little of him over the years, which suited me fine, considering the circumstances.
“I can handle my own blip.”
“The fact that you use the word blip in this scenario tells me differently. I’m just trying to help.”
“Help by making yourself as scarce as possible.”
Here we go again. I bit on my inner cheek, using every ounce of my patience not to snap at her.
“It’s not me you’re mad at, so I suggest you take a deep breath.”
“You’re just as bad as him,” she snapped, pinning me with a look.
“Why? Because we used to be friends in high school?”
“Because you’re the same brand of privileged gasshole.”
“If I’m a stereotype, then today proved so are you.” I let loose a vicious smile.
“I may be easy, Dr. Costello, but rest assured, for you, I’ll always make life difficult.” She got up and grabbed her purse. “Stick to your corner of the ship today.”
And she slammed the door in my face.
That went well.
I spent dinner reading over Gabriella’s many text messages. She sent me pictures of her jugs （this was not a euphemism—she was launching new water bottles for women who went to the gym） and her modeling new lingerie she got for free as promotional material for her blog.
I answered curtly, but I answered nonetheless.
There was no point avoiding her the entire ten days. Not only was it cruel, but also unnecessary.
It wasn’t like I had many people to talk to, with my companion hating my guts and a growing number of people on the ship thinking I had two penises and was married to a thieving hooker who gave me gonorrhea. （I noticed Brendan and the Warren couple were sharing a table at the dinner buffet.）
Tennessee was nowhere to be seen, but knowing her, she did not miss the free dinner and kept to herself.
Usually, I studied the itinerary during cruises and planned my days and evenings ahead. Not this time. I was too distracted to be my usual, calculated self. I winged it and walked around aimlessly after dinner.