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“I’ve seen things.”
“You’ve seen things and you just kept it to yourself?”
“I didn’t think you’d ever want me to step in.”
“I have no one, Atticus! Of course I wanted you to step in! You could have done it the second you met me. Or even better, thirteen years ago when I was leaving the first time!”
“You’re right, but neither of us asked. We were content to assume and make things worse. But it ends now. I know you, Gabriel. I know you live for everyone else.”
“Y-you don’t know that.”
“Yes, I do. You moved to San Francisco because of your mother’s letters, and I have a feeling you’re going back because of Alice’s plans for the girls. I’m sure there’s more. More that you’ve hidden.”
My stomach churned. The STM grant.
The biggest thing I’d ever done.
“And you don’t do it for praise. In fact, you hate praise. You’re doing it because you think it’s right, even if it’s to your own detriment.”
“S-so? I can take it!”
“But you’re hurting others in the process. How do you think Jade feels?”
My jaw tightened. “Don’t bring her into this.”
“Even Agnes and Beatrice. They’ve grown so much here. They like it here.”
“This isn’t what Alice wanted for them.”
“Alice isn’t the one here right now. You are. And sometimes being a parent is going against everything you know in hopes of doing the thing that’s right. You’re their father. What do you want?”
I shook my head, still fighting a losing battle. “I . . . It doesn’t matter.”
“It does! Are you gonna waste more time in hopes of following what others want? Or are you going to finally admit what you want?”
“It’s not easy!”
“I know. I know more than anyone. I’ve wanted to tell you all of this for a long time, but I didn’t. I thought it would keep the peace, and look at how much time I’ve wasted.”
I let out a heaving breath. “You . . . wanted this?”
“I did. And I regret not doing it sooner. Are you gonna add more regret to your pile? Or are you finally going to change things?”
57
JADE
Strawberry Springs Neighborhood Watch
Kerry Winsor: @Jade Clark PLEASE put me out of my misery and tell me what’s going on with Gabe!!! Don’t think I haven’t seen you sulking!!!
Comments:
Jade Clark: No.
Kerry Winsor: I’ll do what you want!!! Name your terms!!!
Mollie Wilson: This is a dangerous thing to offer . . .
