Family Ties - Robby's Story - 3. Chapter 3

We met sporadically over the next few months, and for a while, things seemed… better. Maybe I was overthinking everything. Maybe Manny was right. Maybe this really was just my family trying to reconnect.

“See?” Manny said one evening, lounging on the couch as I worked through some notes. “I told you, Robby. It’s all good. They want to reconnect with you. Tanner even stopped by the record store the other day.”

I looked up sharply. “Wait—what? You never told me that.”

“Sorry, I must have forgotten,” Manny replied with a shrug. “But yeah, he stopped by, looked around a bit. We talked for a bit—nothing deep, just casual. He asked about me, asked how you were doing, how things were holding up. Then he said if we needed anything, just to let him know.”

I frowned, sitting back in my chair. “That doesn’t sound like Tanner. He’s not exactly the stop-by-and-chat type. What did he want?”

“Nothing, really. He left after that. It was just a friendly visit.”

“Hmmm…” I murmured, my thoughts swirling. “No. Something’s going on. I can feel it. Be careful around him, OK?”

Manny gave me a skeptical look. “Robby, it was nothing. I think you’re reading too much into this.”

I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “You weren’t there the first time he showed up. When you went to write your exam, Tanner came over. He said something to me then… something that didn’t sit right.”

“What did he say?” Manny asked, his brow furrowing slightly.

I paused, replaying that conversation in my head. “He told me—” I hesitated. “It wasn’t what he said, exactly. It was how he said it. Like he was holding something back. And he couldn’t look me in the eye.”

“That doesn’t sound like Tanner,” Manny admitted, his tone thoughtful now. “He’s a doctor—or almost a doctor. It’s his job to deliver good or bad news. You’re right, that is strange.”

“Exactly!” I said, standing and pacing the room. “Something’s off. He’s hiding something. I don’t know what, but I can feel it.”

Manny watched me for a moment before standing and placing a hand on my shoulder. “Look, we’ll be careful, OK? If you think something’s up, then I trust you. We’ll tread lightly. But don’t drive yourself crazy over this. We’ve got enough to deal with.”

I nodded slowly, trying to shake the unease that had settled in my chest. “Thanks, Manny. I just… I need to figure this out. I can’t shake the feeling that there’s more going on than what they’re telling me.”

Sophia and Sarah - Talking to Mom and Dad

Sophia and Sarah sat across from their parents in the quiet, dimly lit study. Their mother perched on the edge of her chair, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, while their father leaned back, his expression as sharp as the crease in his suit.

“When are you meeting next?” their mother asked, her voice soft but hopeful, looking directly at Sophia.

“We haven’t set a date yet…” Sophia replied carefully, glancing toward her father.

Their mother hesitated. “How is he doing?”

Before Sophia could answer, their father cut in, his voice firm and cold. “Stay on track. There’s no time to get sentimental.” His words landed like a slap, and the room fell silent.

No one crossed Robby’s father. Not his wife, not his children. Speaking back to him was unthinkable. You humbled yourself to him, always. Anything less wasn’t tolerated.

Next to Sophia, Sarah shifted uncomfortably but didn’t dare speak. Their father’s gaze lingered on both of them, calculating and unyielding.

“Next time you speak with him,” he continued, his tone icy, “don’t let Tanner know. I don’t trust him. He’s just like Robby… in more ways than one. But at least he had the sense to fall in line. Bring him along if you must, but don’t tell him more than you need to.”

Sophia’s heart skipped a beat at her father’s insinuation, but she kept her expression neutral. She glanced at Sarah, who looked equally unnerved but nodded slightly. They both knew better than to ask questions.

Their father leaned forward now, steepling his fingers. “Here’s what I want the both of you to do…”

His voice dropped, outlining his plan in meticulous detail. Always just enough to keep chipping away at the shell Robby had built around himself. Always calculated to leave cracks, to weaken his resolve without him realizing. It was a game of attrition, and their father played it masterfully.

“It’s only a matter of time,” he finished, leaning back with a small, satisfied smile.

Sophia swallowed hard, nodding. Sarah glanced at her, and they both responded in unison. “OK.”

Their mother said nothing, her gaze falling to her lap. If she disagreed, she wouldn’t dare show it here. Not now.

As Sophia and Sarah stood to leave, their father’s voice stopped them in their tracks. “And remember—failure isn’t an option. I won’t have another disgrace in this family.”

The words hung in the air, sharp and heavy. Then, with a quick, deliberate motion, he turned his head to his wife, his gaze cold and accusing. The silence that followed was louder than any shouted blame.

Sophia glanced back at her mother, who sat frozen, her face pale and expressionless. It was clear to all of them that, in their father’s eyes, everything that had happened—with Tanner, with Robby—was her fault.

The sisters exchanged a brief look before leaving the room without another word. The door clicked softly behind them, and as they walked down the long hallway, neither spoke. But Sophia couldn’t help the uneasy knot forming in her stomach. Things were spiraling, and she wasn’t sure how much longer they could keep this up.

The group sat around a round table in a cozy corner of the restaurant, the low hum of conversation around them blending with soft jazz music. Manny and I had arrived a little early, but Tanner, Sophia, and Sarah had been waiting.

“Hey, you two,” Sarah greeted, standing to give me a hug. “It’s good to see you both again.”

“Thanks for inviting us,” Manny said with a polite smile, shaking hands with Tanner and giving Sophia a hug. Sarah didn’t get up, but Manny didn’t seem to notice or he just didn’t care.

We ordered quickly, the waiter taking down everyone’s choices. The conversation started light—updates on work, school, and general catching up. But as the main course arrived, the tone began to shift.

“So, Manny,” Sarah started, swirling her wine glass lazily. “Robby mentioned you’re working at that little record shop near campus. That must be fun. Do you get a discount on vinyl?”

“Yeah, I do,” Manny replied easily. “It’s a great place to work. It’s flexible with my school schedule, and I’ve gotten to discover so much new music.”

Sarah’s smile turned just a little too sharp. “Oh, that’s nice. I guess it’s perfect for a student. And hey, maybe one day you’ll get to manage the place!”

I stiffened, glancing at Manny, but his expression didn’t falter. “Maybe,” he said lightly. “But right now, it’s about paying the bills while Robby and I finish school.”

Before I could say anything, Sophia jumped in. “Sarah, that’s enough. Manny’s doing great balancing work and school. Not everyone has it as easy as we did. Just because our dad could afford to buy both of us nice cars, clothes doesn’t mean everyone can do that.”

Sarah tilted her head, her smile never wavering. “Of course, of course. I didn’t mean anything by it.” She turned to me, her tone saccharine. “You know I’m just teasing, Robby.”

I forced a tight smile. “Right.”

Tanner, who had been quiet most of the evening, cleared his throat. “How are your classes going, Manny? This whole Computer Science thing must be pretty hard.” he asked, his voice calm but distant, like he was struggling to keep himself grounded in the conversation.

“They’re going well, thanks,” Manny replied. “It’s a lot of work, but I’m managing. Robby and I push each other.”

“That’s great,” Tanner said, nodding. His gaze lingered on me for a moment before he quickly looked away.

“Robby,” Sarah said, turning to me, “Mom was asking about you the other day. She said she misses your weekend visits. You know, the ones where you’d come home and eat everything in the fridge?” She laughed lightly.

I hesitated, unsure how to respond. “Well, she knows what she has to do if she wants me back.”

Sophia jumped in again. “She’s trying, Robby. We all are. It’s just… you know how Dad is.”

Tanner shifted in his seat, and for a moment, I thought he was going to say something. But he just stared at his plate, his fork hovering over the remnants of his dinner.

Sarah took another sip of wine, her eyes darting to Manny. “Well, at least you two are doing well. I mean, even with how tight things must be, you’re making it work. That’s admirable. Isn’t that the same clothes you wore last time?”

Manny smiled politely, but I could see the tension in his jaw. “Yes, we’re doing fine, thank you.”

I opened my mouth to say something, but Sophia cut me off. “Sarah, seriously. You don’t need to comment on everything.”

Sarah raised her hands in mock surrender. “What? I’m just making conversation.”

As dessert and coffee were served, the mood around the table seemed to lighten slightly. The earlier tension faded under the sweetness of tiramisu and the comfort of warm lattes. Manny relaxed beside me, though I noticed his occasional glances toward Sarah. She, meanwhile, was cheerfully recounting a story about a childhood vacation to Greece, painting a picture of family unity that felt oddly out of place.

“Remember that time, Robby?” Sarah asked, turning to me with a fond smile. “You got so sunburned that Mom had to keep putting aloe vera on you every hour. You wouldn’t stop whining, and Tanner had to sit with you while the rest of us went swimming.”

I froze for a moment, the memory flashing vividly in my mind. Tanner sitting with me on the hotel balcony, distracting me with stories about the constellations, pointing out shapes in the stars. I’d forgotten about that until now. My chest tightened as the warm nostalgia clashed with the bitterness I felt toward my family.

“Yeah,” I said softly. “I remember. Tanner wasn’t happy he couldn’t go out to the pool, but Mom made him stay. That was a great trip. It would be nice to get away like that as a family again.”

Manny gave me a sidelong glance, his expression unreadable, but he didn’t say anything.

As the waiter cleared the plates, Sarah reached for the check before I could. “I’ve got this,” she said with a smile, pulling out a sleek black credit card. “You can get the next one, Robby.”

“I insist, Sarah,” I started, but she waved me off.

“Please, don’t worry about it. You’re a student. Save your money.”

I sank back in my chair, feeling a twinge of guilt. She handed the card to the waiter with a practiced ease, then turned back to me as we gathered our things to leave.

“Here,” Sarah said, slipping the credit card into my hand. “Dad wanted me to give this to you. He knows how tough it is being a student and thought you might need a little extra help.”

I stared at the card, its weight somehow heavier than it should’ve been. “Dad gave me this?” I asked, my voice tinged with disbelief.

She nodded, her expression softening. “Yes. He said he regrets how things have been. It’s a small gesture, but maybe it’s a step in the right direction.”

Manny’s hand brushed mine under the table, a subtle reminder to stay calm. “Thanks, Sarah,” I said quietly, pocketing the card. I couldn’t bring myself to look at Manny as we got up to leave.

We stepped into the cool night air, the breeze cutting through the lingering warmth of the wine. Tanner walked slightly ahead, his shoulders tense, while Sophia and Sarah hung back, chatting quietly. Manny stayed close to me, his silence louder than any words.

As we reached their car, Sarah turned to me with a soft smile. “It was good seeing you, Robby. And Manny,” she added, almost as an afterthought.

“Yeah, same,” I replied, my voice feeling distant.

As they drove away, I stood in the parking lot for a moment, staring at the space they had just occupied. Thinking about my conversation with Tanner months ago…

The drive home started in heavy silence, the faint hum of the car engine the only sound between us. I gripped the wheel tightly, my mind racing. The weight of the credit card in my pocket felt unbearable, like it was pressing against my ribs.

Finally, Manny broke the silence. “Robby. Why did you take the card?” His voice was calm but carried an edge. “You said you didn’t want their money.”

I sighed, glancing at him briefly before focusing back on the road. “I don’t know. I just did, okay? I won’t use it. I didn’t want to start anything there.”

Manny crossed his arms, his posture stiff. “Not starting anything and giving in are two different things.”

I tensed, his words stinging more than I cared to admit. “I didn’t give in, Manny. It was a credit card. Not a peace treaty.”

“It’s more than that, Robby, and you know it. Taking it—holding onto it—it’s exactly what they wanted you to do. You told me you were done letting them control you.”

“They don’t control me!” I snapped, my voice rising.

Manny let out a bitter laugh. Something he hadn’t done ever since we became a couple. “Right. That’s why you’ve been doubting yourself for months, letting them chip away at you, little by little. I thought you would see it. I thought I should say something, but I know you’re smarter than that. Maybe I should have.”

I slammed my hand against the steering wheel. “What do you want me to say, Manny? That you’re right? That I screwed up? Fine! I shouldn’t have taken it. Are you happy now?”

“No, I’m not happy,” Manny shot back. “Because it’s not about the card—it’s about what it means. You told me we’d face this together, but every time they do something like this, you let them get to you.”

“That’s not fair,” I said, my voice trembling with anger. “You don’t get it. They’re my family.”

“And what am I, Robby?” Manny asked, his voice cracking. “Am I just some placeholder until they win you back?”

I slammed on the brakes as we approached a stoplight, the car jerking forward. “Don’t say that. Don’t you ever say that.”

Manny shook his head, his jaw tight. “Pull over.”

“What?” I asked, confused.

“Pull over,” he repeated firmly. “I’ll take the bus home.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Manny. We’re almost there.”

“I’m not staying in this car, Robby. Pull over, now!!” His voice was sharp, the raw hurt behind it cutting through me.

Angry and desperate, I swerved to the side of the road and hit the brakes. “Fine! Go!” I yelled, my hands gripping the wheel so tightly they hurt.

Manny grabbed his bag and got out, slamming the door behind him. I sat there for a moment, fuming, before peeling away, the tires screeching against the asphalt. The sound of his door slamming echoed in my head long after I sped off.

I drove for a few blocks, my anger simmering, but the emptiness in the passenger seat gnawed at me. My grip on the wheel loosened as the weight of what just happened sank in. I replayed his words in my mind. You let them get to you… What am I, Robby?

The anger drained from me, replaced by a sickening guilt. I made a sharp U-turn and headed back the way I came. As I approached the bus stop, I saw him. Manny was sitting on the bench, his head in his hands, his shoulders trembling.

I pulled over and parked haphazardly, my hands shaking as I got out of the car. I stood there, in front of him. “Manny,” I called softly, but he didn’t look up.

I moved closer, hesitating. “Manny, I’m sorry.”

He finally lifted his head, his face streaked with tears. “Do you even know what you’re apologizing for?” he asked, his voice raw.

I knelt down in front of him, my chest tight. “Yes. I let them get to me. The credit card… it was another way to chip away at me, and I fell right into their trap. And worse—I took it out on you.”

Manny wiped his eyes but said nothing, his silence weighing on me.

I reached out, my hand brushing his. “You’re not a placeholder. You’re my future. And I’m so, so sorry I made you feel like you weren’t.”

He looked at me, his expression softening slightly. “Robby, I need to know you’re really with me in this. I can’t keep fighting for us if you keep giving them room to pull you back. But you have to decide. If you want your family back, I won’t stand in your way. I will understand. You can try and have both, but I don’t think your parents want that. So you have to decide what you want.”

“I am with you,” I said firmly. “I just… I need to get stronger. I see it now. Everything they’ve done—every word, every gesture—it’s all to wear me down. And tonight? I let them win. But it won’t happen again.”

He stared at me for a long moment before nodding, though the hurt in his eyes lingered. “Okay,” he said quietly. “But don’t just say it, Robby. Prove it.”

I nodded, standing and pulling him into a hug. He hesitated, then wrapped his arms around me tightly. “Let’s go home,” I said softly.

Together, we got back into the car. This time, the silence between us wasn’t heavy—it was hopeful.