Problem Parents

JAMES

I don’t know how Smythe did it, and I didn’t ask too many questions. I was just relieved to get the hell out of that god-awful cramped room. My first appearance would be in two days.

“Just answer the questions as honestly and to the point as you can, Mr. Barrington,” Smythe had said during our long consultation.

Honest and to the point. I was concerned. What if they asked questions I didn’t want to answer?

***

It was pitch dark when the Uber dropped me off at my gate. I didn’t have my phone or my keys with me. Feeling like a stranger lurking in the dark in front of my property, I pressed the intercom and Luke’s deep voice answered. “Yeah?”

“It’s James. Open up.”

Imagine my surprise when the lights turned on and I saw the old beaten-up Datsun parked in the driveway. Not this again! God knows I wouldn’t be able to stomach Aurora Johnson after all that happened. I thought we were rid of her. The gate slid open, and I dragged my feet, thinking of the best way to handle this situatio