“Yeah, Lenin,” I snarl. “Where has he been lately, anyway?Is it true that you’re no longer punishing me because you’re planning to drop me?”
“Lenin said that?”
I bite the corner of my lip and shrug. Well, maybe this will get Lenin in trouble—not that I should care.
“Listen, Preston.” He grabs my shoulder, fingers digging in. “I’dneverdrop you.”
“Even if I burn your car?”
“Even if you burn a garage full of them.”
“That’s a lot of work—not worth it.”
Dad’s lips twitch in a smile and I just stare. It feels like…forever since I’ve seen him smile.
Wow. The Lawrence Armstrong can smile? Someone call the robot manufacturer so he can test him for malfunctions.
“Preston?”
“Yeah?”
“Tomorrow morning, let’s go to see Dr. Fenwick together.”
“Can’t, and I also don’t like that old man much.” Maybe I should have Dad threaten Dr. Duret to return. Pretty sure she has some family somewhere in Europe. Dad can locate them and use them against her as leverage.
“Why can’t you?” he asks.
“I’m going on a picnic. More like I’m inviting myself to one with Kane’s and Jude’s girls. They’re so not from our world, and I’d like to get rid of Destiny if possible, but her sister or foster sister or whatever wouldn’t appreciate it, and I like her. Not Destiny, but her sister, Vi. I think she’s making Jude a better man, but he’s too blind to see it. She also looks so familiar; if you meet her, you’ll probably feel the same.” I bite the corner of my lip because I’ve been kind of blabbering. “Yeah, so I’m busy.”
“When will you be done? We’ll go then.”
“Do I have to?”
“Yes.”
“Way to give your child choices, Dad. Amazing work?—”
“Preston.” He squeezes my shoulder. “I want you to know…I never wanted to do this, but in hindsight, it was inevitable.”
“Do…what?”
“I’m sorry.” He tightens his grip on my shoulder one final time, then puts the umbrella in my hand and walks into the rain.
Only a few paces, though, as Hayes runs out with another umbrella.
And I’m shaking.
Dad has only ever told me “I’m sorry” once before—when he held me the day I found out Mom died.
I never wanted to do this.
A tear slides down my cheek because I know, I just know what will happen tomorrow with Dr. Fenwick.
The one thing that doctors always recommend. The one thing Dad has always been vehemently against, but now, he’s stopped caring enough to refuse anymore.
Because Dad’s abandoned me, too.
Like Mom. Like Dr. Duret.
