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Lia giggled, then she spoke in a voice that sounded even more like Aunt Ruthie. “How about we get a beverage, honey? Wouldn’t that be nice? Maybe a little cup of tea with milk?”
We both cracked up. It felt good to laugh. But then laughing just made me start crying again because I thought of the horrible thing my dad did to my mom.
“Brandy, what’s wrong?”
I tugged at the quilt Abuela made for me last Christmas. “I don’t think I should tell you.”
“You have to tell me. I can’t help you if you don’t tell me what’s wrong.”
I pushed out a slow breath. “You know how I see my dad in Texas every summer?”
“Yeah. I always have to stay with Abuela while you get to have all the fun.”
“Well, seeing my dad in jail isn’t fun.”
“No, but going swimming in the hotel pool and out to eat is fun.”
I sighed. “Do you know why my dad’s in jail?”
“Because he robbed a bank?”
“No. He didn’t rob a bank.”
“Oh, what did he do?”
I hesitated, hoping I wasn’t making a mistake by telling her. Was she too young to learn the truth?
“What did he do?” She lay down beside me, placing her little head next to mine on my pillow. “It’s okay. You can tell me. I won’t tell anyone. I promise.”
Pushing out a slow breath, I told her everything. When I finished, I told her that I didn’t think I ever wanted to see my father again now that I knew the truth about him.
“Do you have to? Can’t you just tell my parents that you don’t want to go to Texas anymore?”
“Maybe.” The lump in my throat started hurting really bad. What if my dad got mad at me for not coming? I shuddered at the idea. Then I closed my eyes really tight so I didn’t have to think about it anymore.
