Sue

“We’re going to sue.”

The words hang in the air, and for a moment, you can hardly believe that you’ve said it.

You hear an exhalation from your father.

“Good. You made the right decision,” he says. “For a moment I was worried that you would lose your mind.”

“It’s what has to be done,” you say. “They did us wrong, so we’ve got to make it right. Besides, those medical bills aren’t going to pay for themselves.”

“Right you are, son, right you are,” your father says, and if you’re not mistaken, you hear the faintest trace of pride in those words. This would be a rare moment to treasure, if you weren’t so busy thinking of all the opportunities that this decision could bring. Lucille, her mom, Charmaine, her mom… all women who you’re interested in getting to know more deeply.

“So that’s that,” you say. “I’m about to head to class.”

“I’ll leave you to it. We’ve both got things to do.”

You enter the Writing Seminar classroom and are immediately struck by the smug look on Charmaine’s face.

“You heard the news?” you ask her.

“News travels fast,” she smiles. “I’m so happy for you. Mom will go far to make things right.”

“I’m counting on it,” you smile back, wondering if Charmaine knows just how far she might go. “I’m glad she’s been so proactive on my case.”

“Hold on here, this better not be what I think it’s about,” Lucille says, giving you a hard look. “You didn’t seriously just decide to go after us.” The square look you give her makes her pause, and she gives you the finger. Then she does the same to Charmaine. “Doing it with her mom? Seriously?”

“Look, your mom fucked up, big time. I’m just trying to cover all the bills that the hospital’s about to hit me with,” you say.

Lucille looks completely unpersuaded, the scowl on her face speaking volumes. But there’s no time for her to get another word in, because just then, the professor walks into the room.

“What’s the big commotion? Come on, friends, we’ve got books to discuss, not gossip,” he says, waving his hands with excitement. He pulls out a book and rests it on the table. “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. So. What do we think?”

And with that, class begins running along as usual, leaving nothing but the occasional appreciative look from Charmaine and the annoyed glance from Lucille as a reminder of your decision.

Charmaine +30
Lucille -30