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His dad swung. Daniel caught his arm and yanked it behind his back, spinning his dad around.
"If you don't think I'm yours, test it," he said. "You've got access to everything you need. But you won't, will you? You know I'm your son. You just like to torment me. You think that's getting back at her somehow. Well, it isn't." He wrenched his father's arm up until his eyes bulged. "I'm tired of it."
Daniel thrust him out of the way. They faced off. It didn't last long before his dad spun and walked away, spitting curses.
"I'm sorry," Daniel murmured to me. "He's just--"
"Drunk. And angry and bitter, and taking it out on you." I looked up at him. "Come stay with us."
He nodded. "Yeah, I'd better not go home tonight."
"I mean for good."
"It's only another couple of years, until I can escape to university like my brothers."
"Can they help? I'm sure there's something--"
"No. They're gone and happy to be gone. When they come home, they see things are worse and just pat me on the back and tell me to hang in there."
"Will you think about it? Staying with us full-time? Please? We've got the room, and my parents have always said you're welcome for as long as you want."
"I'll ... think about it."
As we walked, I knew I wouldn't be telling him what Rafe had said tonight. He had too much else on his mind. It could wait. Let me work it out for myself first.
We reached the Blender--a soda shop owned by the Morrises. It looks like something out of the fifties, and sells burgers and ice cream. There's even a jukebox in the corner.
We walked in as Mayor Tillson and his wife were walking out, Nicole dawdling behind them, Sam even farther back.
"Maya. Daniel." The mayor gave us an election-poster smile and thumped Daniel on the back. "Practicing for regionals? Good to see it." He winked. "Even if you could already win it with one hand tied behind your back."
Mrs. Tillson rolled her eyes, murmuring, "Leave the kids alone, Phil," and smiling as she prodded him past us.
Nicole frowned at me as her parents left. "Daniel said you were eating at Rafe's."
"It didn't work out."
"Nicole," her mom called. "Dad has a town meeting tonight."
"What's this with you and Rafe?" Sam said as she walked up.
"Nothing." I turned to Nicole. "I'll talk to you later."
"Tonight," she said. "Call, okay?"
"I'll try."
She looked hurt by that, so I said I would call. She left, Sam trailing after her, casting glances back at us, like she was trying to figure out what was up.
When we sat, Daniel said, "Do you want to talk about it?"
"No, I want to talk about our plans for tonight."
While we ate, we quietly made a list of things to look for. As we left the Blender, Dr. Hajek drove by. She honked and waved. Then Chief Carling passed and did the same.
"Looks like the whole council is going to that meeting," Daniel said. "Aren't they usually the last Tuesday of the month?"
I nodded. My dad went if there was anything on the agenda about the park.
