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“Are you home?”
“Yeah.Why?”
“I need to talk to you.”
“Oh no.What is it?”
“It’s not something I can say over the phone.I’m going to be there in about thirty-five minutes, okay?”
“Okay.Should I start packing?”
“What are you talking about, Dad?”
“Am I about to get evicted?I know the rent is past due.”
“No, I’ve taken care of it.I’ll see you in a bit.”
I hung up and pressed my lips together.A part of me was mad that I’d taken such a case because I had compromised my own values and knew I’d hurt Valentina in the process.However, I also knew that if I wouldn’t have taken the case, it was very unlikely that I ever would’ve met Valentina, and a life not having known her, not having seen pure kindness and love, I don’t know if I would’ve wanted to continue that life.And though my heart was aching and I felt like shit, I was still glad for the opportunity to have touched her and kissed her and to have just spoken to her.
I arrived at my dad’s home within thirty-seven minutes, knocked, and then walked inside.“Hey, Pops.”I looked around and saw that he was sitting in the living room watching TV.
“Hey.So what’s going on?”
“Is Annie here?”
“No,” he said, “she’s gone to get a job.”
“Oh amazing.”I was surprised.“I guess she realizes that you’re not Mr.Rich.”
“She never thought I was rich, Sam.She wasn’t with me for that.”
“Then why was she with you, Dad?Why was she hitting on you?”
He shrugged.“Do you think I really care?”His blue eyes looked into mine.His lips twisted.“She’s fun.Maybe it’s not going to last forever, but it’s good for now.”
“Dad, that is just not the right attitude.”
“What are you talking about?”He sat forward and lifted his beer to his mouth.He took a couple of chugs and then blinked.“You want one?I got a six-pack.They’re in the fridge.”
“No, I’m okay.”I shook my head and sat down on the couch next to him.“Dad?”
“Yes, Sam.”
“I have something to tell you.”
“Oh shit, what is it?You knocked a girl up?I’m going to be a granddad.”
“No.”I laughed, though the thought of Valentina being pregnant with my baby didn’t upset me.
“Then what is it?”
“Patti is back,” I said.
He stared at me for a few seconds, not blinking.He frowned.“Say that again.”
“Patti is back,” I repeated myself.
He took two more chugs of his beer and sat back.“Fuck.”He looked at me and shook his head.“Patti, as in your mom?”
