Page 125 (1/2)

“And s like this” He shoved a brochure in front of my face

My fingers tightened around the edges of the glossy boat brochure

“Are you going to rent this for a few days over the su as I struggled to keep ether

“Hell, no We don’t want so someone else has beat to hell”

“You bought a boat” I stared, blinking extra hard to make sure this wasn’t the result of one too many hits to the head

“She’s a beauty, isn’t she?” He took the brochure fro boat he’d bought—I’d bought

My fists clenched at htide

“After the year I’ve had, Faith and I deserved it” A shit-eating grin spread wide across his face

He didn’t see one thing wrong with this All my life, I was an annoyance until I was a meal ticket A slot machine that always paid out

“I gave you uys ork for you would’ve lost their jobs” I kept the words on a low si to rip his damn head off The flash of sadness in Felix’s eyes when I’d told him I couldn’t cover the loan stabbed at my heart like a pair of rusty cleats He’d toldme promise I’d come to his house for Christmas dinner

One Sa without him

And I’d let him down I’d let them both down

My dad plowed ahead like he hadn’t rippedheart out

“Your bail-out was just what I needed We’d have had to cut back around here, if you hadn’t co the shore house andI was prepared to do”

I staggered back like I’d been hit with an illegal tackle “You still have the shore house?” Anger raced throughmy own father’s face