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I eventually had to turn on h missed calls, the vastand all the voice- the texts Then I checked in withhiies

“You’ll coht?” he asked

That was still a few days away I spared a glance atover the kitchen table The bruises remained but had faded decently The cut on ry look to it, so I kept antibiotic creae all of the wounds with lasses, and a visor, so I said, “Sure Usual time?”

“Yes And … bring Dane” He said this hesitantly I recognized the olive branch for what it was And cringed My dad was trying to reconcile and accept er had one

I said, “How about I bring a friend, instead? I ith hi the news ofto appear too suspicious while I was still so wrecked … and physically wounded

“Him?” That one word in my statement seemed to perk up my father

“His naolfs, so this could be fun for hi out his professional opinion

“Sounds great Everything else okay?”

“Sure” I sed hard, hoping I sounded normal Because I sure as hell didn’t feel normal And wondered if I ever would

“All right then See you on Sunday”

“Yeah” I was about to disconnect but hastily added, “Hey, Dad?”

“Hmm?”

“I love you”

H

e was quiet for a moment, then said, “I love you, too, Sweets”