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We’re both somber as we leave the house fifteenexpressions The sky is overcast, theat a downpour

My uneasiness grows the closer we get to Munsen By the ti driveway and park in front of the bungalow, my nerves have formed a solid, iht back," I tell Grace, leaning in to kiss her cheek

She shakes her head "Take your ti, she pulls out a psych textbook and holds it up "I’ll be fine out here, I promise So don’t try to rush on my account, okay?"

I exhale shakily "Okay"

A , flinching when the familiar smell of stale beer fills my nostrils I swear, it’s like the walls in this house are soaked with alcohol, slowly releasing the sour odor into the air

"John?" My brother’s voice drifts through the hall "We’re in the kitchen"

I keep my shoes on, a habit left over from childhood I’ve stepped on far too many puddles on the floors and carpets of this house and soaked e variety

I know so’s up the second I enter the kitchen Jeff and Dad are at the weathered oak table, sitting across froneck bottle of Bud in front of him, both hands wrapped around the base

"Johnny Sit down," Dad says

The beer isn’t a pron, but at least he looks and sounds relatively sober And by sober, I mean not passed out in a pool of his own vo

"Chad Jensen cas back toward my father "What? Are you serious?" Why the hell would Coach talk to my father?

Dad nods "He called ahead, asked if he could stop by for a chat I said sure, why not, and he ca my shock Coach Jensen drove out to Munsen and met with my father?

"I didn’t know about it," Jeff speaks up hastily, obviouslymy expression "I was over at Kylie’s when he stopped by, and Dad only told nore Jeff’s assurances "What did he want?" I ask suspiciously

Dad’s cheeks hollow as if he’s grinding his teeth "To discuss possible solutions"