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“I think that’s best for now. Maybe we can see each other tomorrow. Have lunch or something?”
“That depends,” he says. “When will you be going back to school?”
I rub my chin. “Probably Monday. I’ve already sent an email to the registrar. I’m just waiting to hear back if I can get into the classes I want and do the makeup work for the first couple of weeks.”
He nods.
I rise from the bed and dress quickly.
We don’t talk a lot during the half hour ride back to my home. Always the gentleman, Dave gets out first, opens my door for me, and walks me to the door.
He gives me a quick peck on the lips. “I’ll see you soon.”
“Yeah. Thanks for today.”
“I should be thanking you.”
“Why don’t we just thank each other?” I give him another quick kiss and then go inside.
Chapter Nineteen
Dave
When I get home, I don’t want to be alone, so I end up going back to my parents’ house. Gary is still there anyway, and I want to see my dog.
I walk in. Henry and the girls are in the kitchen, having a snack.
“Where are Mom and Dad?” I ask.
“I think they’re in Dad’s office,” Sage says.
“Thanks.”
I don’t stop to talk to my brother and sisters, even though I probably should.
Instead I walk down the long hallway to Dad’s office. I reach my hand to knock, but then I stop when I hear Mom’s voice.
“Everything will be okay, Bryce. One way or another.”
Then a choking sob.
And it didn’t come from my mother.
My father…is crying.
I’m not sure I’ve ever seen or heard my father cry in my entire life.
I should leave. Give them their privacy, but my feet stay glued outside his office door.
“I don’t know what I’ll do without him,” my father says through another sob.
“You’ll move on. For your family. For your children. You have four children who need you, Bryce.”
“Joe has two children who need him,” my father counters.
“I know, baby. And I know how much he means to you.”
“I’ve known him since before you were born,” Dad says.
