Derek ran down toward the water, though there was nothing left to save. He stared at the bubbles rising from below, his face twisted in disbelief. What did you do, he shouted. I stayed perfectly calm. Physics did the rest, I said. My car, he said, his voice breaking apart. My car. I used his own dismissive tone right back at him. It’s just a car, Derek, I said. You can buy another one.
Derek moved toward me, furious and shaking, and I stepped back as Richard shouted his name before things could get worse. Clare ran outside in her robe. Where’s the Mercedes, she demanded. I pointed at the lake. Under the water, I said. Her mouth fell open. You put his car in the lake, she said. I applied the lesson, I told her.
Barbara and Richard arrived next, both still in robes, hair disheveled, faces stunned. Marcus, my mother said, have you lost your mind. My father stared at me like he’d never seen me before in his life. What is wrong with you, he asked.
I looked at each of them, systematic, calm. Yesterday, Tyler destroyed something I spent years saving to buy, I said. Something I use professionally. You told me it was just a guitar. You told me I could get another one. You told me family forgives each other. You told me I was being childish for feeling upset about it. I gestured toward the lake, where bubbles still broke the surface. So I let Derek’s car go. I applied your lesson. We’re even now.
