Pride and a Savior Complex

Dash Radloff drove through the pothole-plagued streets of the trailer park just outside his home town, wincing every time his Lexus jerked. He had a hard grip on the steering wheel, nervous, not just because he hadn't actually had to drive himself anywhere in a good 10 years, but also because he hadn't seen Sarah in about as long. How many kids did she have now? Three? Five? Surely it was less than six...

His steering wheel jerked and his car veered to the left as his wheel caught a particularly large pothole. His knuckles blanched as he ripped the wheel back the other direction, overcorrecting a little but at least avoiding the hole with his rear tire.

"Now where is Sarah's place?" he muttered to himself. "209, 211, 213, did I miss it?" He came to an intersection and looked at the street signs with a sigh. He wasn't even on the right road. He hoped this wasn't an omen that this whole venture was a mistake. He turned and looped back around the park until he found the road he was looking for. He pulled up to trailer 129, the numbers in this place made no sense, and he got out of the car. He was surprised to see a few boxes outside and furniture lining the road that looked like it was meant to be picked up by the trash, but no moving truck. Didn't Sarah say that they had to be out by tomorrow?

Dash straightened his name-brand track jacket as he got out of the car, glancing around to see if anyone was watching him. They weren't. Disappointed, he made his way to the door and knocked, putting on an air of confidence and congeniality he did not posses.

A small face peeked out from behind bent blinds and disappeared. He heard a few voices yelling and then after about a minute, the door opened and there was Sarah.

"Dash?" She seemed surprised. "You're actually here?"

"Yes? You called me, Sarah. Should I not have come?"

Sarah composed herself quickly, "Oh, no, I'm thrilled to have you," she did not look it, "it's just...so strange to actually see you in person again. You know, usually we see you through a screen." She gave him an awkward half-smile.

"Well, you know me. You called, and I came. Anything for my baby sister!" Dash said with false enthusiasm, reaching towards Sarah with his arms open wide. Sarah saw his intent just a moment too late and had her arms pinned down by his, leaving her to awkwardly pat his side in an attempt to return the one-sided hug.

She pulled back quickly, "Please, Dash, come in." She gestured behind her into the trailer.

Dash stepped in to the dark trailer and looked around. Open boxes and plastic bags cluttered most surfaces. A boy of about 10 was eyeing him from a worn sofa, half star-struck, half unsure. In the narrow hallway to his right stood a pre-teen girl with greasy hair holding another small boy of about 2 or 3. Movement on his left caught his eye as he saw another boy clamber on top of the counter in nothing but his underwear. He was holding a jar of peanut butter and eating straight from it with a spoon. He was the one Sarah spotted first.

"Tommy, how many times do I have to tell you? You don't climb on the counters!"

"And put some clothes on, you freak!" piped up the older boy.

"Michael," Sarah said in a warning tone as she rushed to shoo Tommy from the kitchen. Michael rolled his eyes and returned his wide eyes to Dash, apparently unsure what to say.

"So, I suppose you haven't met anyone other than Kaylynn," she said, nodding to the girl in the hallway, "and that was so long ago. This is my son Michael," she gestured to the boy on the sofa, "the little one is Danny, and the feral one is Tommy."

"You've sure got your hands full," Dash replied. So it was only four kids, thank goodness. Michael was the one he'd been thinking of. He would likely be a good candidate for Dash's plan.

Sara started to roll her eyes but seemed to catch herself. "Well, you must be busy with your three."

Dash hesitated, "Yes, Fiona's girls are very busy. They are always off to their camps and clubs. They sure keep Marietta busy! We've had to raise her salary several times over the past year alone!" He grimaced. It was probably in poor taste to talk about things like housekeepers and money when one's sister is about to lose her home. He noticed Sarah's face falter briefly before her smile snapped back into place. She must have thought it was in poor taste too.

Dash clapped his hands and rubbed them together, eager to change the subject. "Well, why don't we get started. What can I help with?"

"I could use some help getting some of the bigger furniture to the road."

"When will the moving truck get here? Wouldn't it be better to wait until then to move the big stuff?"

Sarah sighed. "Dash, why don't we start in the bedroom. We can talk there."

Sarah led the way to the opposite end of the trailer to her bedroom. The bed had been made almost to a standard that would have made Marietta proud. Clothes were stacked on top of the dresser and half-filled boxes littered the floor. She had also laid out an open suitcase and a large black garage bag. The small closet stood open and had already been mostly emptied with the exception of a thick coat. Sarah plopped onto the bed with her head in her hands.

"Sarah?"

"There is no moving truck, Dash," she mumbled into her hands. "We have nowhere to go when we leave tomorrow."

"But why are you moving out?"

Sarah looked up at him like he was stupid. "We have no choice. I haven't been able to make rent since Rick left. All of my money has been tied up in the divorce. We are being evicted. I'm out of options. I need help." She looked at him intensely then, pleading. "We need help."

The reason for her call after all these years finally clicked in Dash's head. She was hoping her big-shot, world-famous, actor, big brother would come and bail her out. The fact that she had waited so long to ask for money said something about her pride. A few months ago, he would have asked what sum she needed, doubled it, and handed her a check without a second's thought. Now, though. Things were a little different. This changed his plan a little, but, he thought, he could still make things work in his favor.

"Um, well, I could bring you all out to live with us in California. I'm sure Fiona would have no problem with putting you all up out there and sending the kids to a nice school like her girls go to. I had been thinking of offering anyway, to take one of the boys, probably the oldest, to get a proper education. You know how Fiona always liked to help ... less fortunate youth."

"You were thinking I'd just send Michael halfway across the country at 10 years old?" She asked incredulously.

"Well, it'd give him a better shot in life. I know I made it out of this town, but not many do."

"So you want a token child to save to help repair your image." Her tone had changed drastically. It had definitely moved into disapproving territory. I had hoped she hadn't heard the rumors.

"You say it like I'm so selfish. It would benefit him too. And you. It would be one less mouth to feed. But, I'm sure I could convince Fiona to let you all come back with me, given the circumstances."

"Dash," She said wearily, "it's a kind offer, even if it's made out of a desire to save your own skin, but we simply can't. I have a job here. It wouldn't be fair to let the kids lose their friends and their school when they are already losing so much."

"Well, what would you like me to do? "

She bit her lip. "Well, I was actually hoping for some money. Anything would help, but..." she paused and looked up at him with a pained expression, "I was actually wondering if you would buy us a house and possibly give us a few months worth of financial assistance. I hate asking, Dash, I really do. I'm just out of options." Tears began to stream down her face and her voice grew more ragged as she talked.

Dash watched, pity filling his mind. Embarrassment and disappointment followed. "What about a new rental?" he asked awkwardly. "Wouldn't that be more affordable?"

"The rent is terrible out here, Dash!" She said, frustration coloring her voice now. "More than a mortgage payment! Not that there are any places to rent around here anyway. Believe me, I've looked. Money is what would help, Dash. For a house, even just enough for a room at the motel for a few months while I save up and look for a place out of town. The divorce should be done by April..."

"I could try to ask Fiona. I mean, it shouldn't cost that much out here. But wouldn't it just be easier coming to live with me?"

"No, besides, Rick would never let me move out of state with the kids, if for no other reason than to spite me. Why would that be easier for you than just giving us some money?"

"Fiona actually handles all of the finances. She put everything in her name after I got in trouble with gambling a few years ago. I agreed at the time to keep her happy. I never thought it would be a problem. If I called and asked for money now, though, she probably wouldn't believe me. She'd probably just think I was making up excuses to get some money out of her. But if I came back with real people who needed help, I know she wouldn't be able to resist."

"So, are the rumors true, then?"

Dash grimaced. "Depends which ones you are talking about," he replied defensively. Yes, Fiona and I are separated and she is currently leaning towards divorce. But that doesn't mean I cheated or even touched that girl, or woman!"

"If the accusations aren't true, why did Fiona leave and cut you off?"

"It's all her friends! They got in her head. I was only ever professional with my female coworkers on set! Ginny should have known that from when we worked together, but instead she went around claiming that I had made moves on her too!" Dash exploded.

"Dash, quiet!" Sarah hissed. "I've been trying to keep the kids away from the news! I don't want them to think their uncle is guilty of all that. They idolize you so much."

"So, you won't move-"

"Can't move," Sarah interrupted.

"Can't move," he amended, "and I have no money to help you." Dash sighed. "Well, what can I do?"

"You can help me move all this shit to the curb. If the trailer isn't cleaned out by the end of the day tomorrow, I'm getting charged for the crew and dumpster the landlord has to pay for to remove everything."

"What are you taking with you?" Dash asked sadly.

"Whatever essentials we can fit in the van. I guess I have no choice but to drop the kids off with Rick. Hopefully he will take them and not refuse just to make my lift harder. Hopefully living in my van will be enough for him."

Dash grew angry, "What is his problem? What kind of man would allow his ex wife and kids to be put on the street?"

"A terrible one. I wish I could have seen it when I married him. But he hid it, or he changed. Or both, I don't know." With one deep inhale, Sarah stood up, "Well, we might as well get to work."

Dash helped Sarah fill trash bags with any clothes or items that didn't fit in her suitcase or the few small boxes she labeled as "keep." The rest, as well as the furniture, was moved to the curb with a sign on it saying "Trash Pickup" and then in parentheses underneath, "Or free for anyone in need." "Might as well let our misfortune help someone else," Sarah said. When they were done, all that was left was the suitcase, the mattress, and a pillow and blanket.

Next, they tackled the kitchen. Most of the food were cans and jars that Sarah had gotten from the food pantry. They packed as much into boxes as we could and put it in the van along with a handful of dish-ware and utensils. They left the gallon of milk and a box of cereal for the kids to have the next morning before they left. The living room and the kids rooms were the hardest. Even though the oldest kids understood what was happening, removing anything of theirs that didn't it in their backpacks or a few trash bags was met with screaming and crying as their lives were slowly moved to the curb.

Sarah, to her credit, showed incredible patience and restraint, doing her best to calm the kids and explain the situation again and again. Dash had a feeling that the kids no longer idolized him as Sarah had said. He felt overwhelmed with guilt as their betrayed faces watched him. They were the same expressions Fiona's girls had as she'd removed them from their house and away from the man they had considered a father figure, however distant he had been, for the past 10 years. He'd been all they had.

The trailer was bare by the time they were done. Sarah left the TV and the DVD player with a few movies to pacify the kids. Sleeping bags and mattresses were the only things left on the floor of their rooms. The boxes and furniture outside had creeped slowly towards the neighbors yards as the pile grew.

Dash was mostly broke, but he did still have a credit card that Fiona paid as long as the charges were reasonable daily expenses. That was how he'd had the gas to get out to his home town. He treated the family to pizza, he figured that would't get flagged as odd by Fiona, and it was at least one thing he could do.

"I could probably put you up in the motel for a few nights. Anything more than a couple hundred dollars would get flagged by Fiona, but I should be able to do that

much."

Sarah looked at him grateful for even a few more nights in bed. "Thanks, Dash. I do appreciate it. I'm glad you came out. It's been nice to see you."

She walked him to the door. "I'll get a room tonight and let them know you are coming tomorrow," he assured her. "I'll come by to help you get settled then."

"Thanks, Dash."

"Are you sure you can't come to California? I've at least got a big old house with some empty rooms." He figured one last try wouldn't hurt.

"Thank you, but no. We really can't. Well, I guess we will see you tomorrow. Goodnight." She reached out to hug him, but it seemed a little more genuine this time. Dash returned the hug. "Goodnight, Sarah."

As promised, Dash checked into the motel and made sure to pay for the room for a a few more nights for Sarah. He looked around the dingy room. He couldn't believe that he, Dash Radloff, was sitting in this poor excuse for accommodations. As he lie back on his bed, he thought of how he got here. He hadn't believed that girl had claimed he tried to force himself on her. She had clearly been into it at the time. Of course, none it mattered to Fiona. He had broken her trust. And now he'd lost his last-ditch effort to get her back.

His thoughts drifted to his niece and nephews' faces as he'd packed up their belongings. He felt such a deep pit in his stomach. He really couldn't get anything right anymore, could he.

Suddenly, he sat up, determined. He picked up his phone and called Marietta, who'd left with Fiona. Fiona had blocked his number, but Marietta picked up. Dash quickly explained his sister's predicament to her and asked for her to put him in touch with Fiona. Marietta promised to relay his message, but wasn't able to promise Fiona would call. Dash thanked her and hung up the phone.

He was just drifting to sleep when the phone rang. Fiona's name flashed on his screen with a picture of her beautiful face. Swallowing his pride, he answered the phone as butterflies fluttered in his stomach.

"Hello?"

"Dash," was all she said in reply.

"Fiona, I really need your help."