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“Morning, Leann.” I smiled at the receptionist. “My dad in?”
“Sure is, Henry.” She went back to typing something, and I went down the hall to my dad’s office.
I knocked on the door before opening it and going inside.
“Henry?” Dad sat back in his chair. “What brings you here?” His head tilted. “And why are your knuckles bloody?”
I went over and sat down in the plush chair he had for clients, dropping my head in my hands. “I punched my dash.”
“What made you that angry?”
“Well, this morning started out like a dream. Breakfast with my family. The boys were balls of energy. Miranda made some delicious pancakes with bacon. And I called off work so I could drop the boys off and spend the day…” I chuckled and sat back. “Well, I’m sure you can figure it out.”
Dad chuckled with me and got up to get us both a cup of coffee. “I’m sure I can. Then what happened?”
I passed mom on my way back and when I went inside, I swore I could smell her perfume and Miranda was vomiting.” A snarl grew into a growl as I continued. “I went over and tried to help her and she kicked me out.”
“She what?” He handed me a cup before taking a seat in the other client chair.
“The tears she had were those big ones that happen when someone really hurts you. And she told me to get the fuck out. She wasn’t doing this bullshit again and unless it had to do with the boys, she didn’t want to talk to me.”
“Again?” He caught the same word I had.
“Again.” I shook my head. “I don’t get it. What happened before and why does mom hate Miranda so much?”
“I don’t know if it’s hate as much as envy.” He scratched his cheek and shook his head.
Confusion replaced irritation for a moment. “Envy?”
“Sure. Miranda is everything your mother isn’t.” He shrugged. “And this morning you let her know where she ranked.”
I thought back over this morning’s conversation with my mother and something else scratched at the back of my mind.
“Dad? Did you know about Charlie?” I took a drink and looked over at him.
He shook his head. “Not until I walked outside and saw him.”
“This morning mom said ‘the rumor was true’.” I set my cup on his desk. “She knew about him.”
His face paled. “She did say that.”
“She knew she had another grandson and never said a word.” My stomach rolled, and I felt sick. “What the hell is wrong with her?”
He barked out a laugh. “That’s a long list.”
“I need to talk to her.” My head bobbed. “You might need to be on standby in case mom calls the cops.”
“Better yet, why not have an early lunch at her house?” My dad gave me a sly smile. “I would like to be there for this fight.”
“Yeah. That is a better plan.” I reached for my coffee and drained my cup. “Chinese?”
“Perfect.” He nodded. “I’ll see you there.”
My phone buzzed with a message, and I pulled it out smiling when I saw Miranda’s name.
Miranda
Can you keep Charlie tonight?
