Page 266 of Property of Whiskey

Sheriff Dix looks wrecked beneath the anger. “Baby, come home.”

Twila swallows. “No.”

One quiet word.

Stronger than yelling.

Amos looks at her like he didn’t understand. “No?”

“No.”

His eyes shift toward me. “What the hell did you do to my daughter?”

I don’t answer.

Twila does. “He listened.”

Sheriff Dix flinches.

Twila squeezes my hand.

Amos looks at her. “I listen.”

Something in Twila’s face cracks. “Daddy, no. You wait for me to quit talking so you can tell me why I’m wrong.”

“That’s bullshit.”

“No.”

“You think this biker listens better than your own father?”

“That ain’t what I said.”

“Sounds like it.”

“Daddy.”

“He kidnapped you!”

“Yeah.”

“Jesus Christ, Twila.”

“He also let me walk away.”

“And?”

“I didn’t.”

Even I forget to breathe.

Sheriff Dix looks at his daughter differently.

Twila looks down at our joined hands.

Then at me.

Fuck.