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“Maybe more practice and less distractions.”
I set my fork down. Hadn’t he teased me just a moment ago about dorm-room partying? “What are you referring to?”
“Nothing. It’s just…you’ve seemed preoccupied lately.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
Dad and Mom exchanged a look. “Not at all.”
I pushed my plate away, feeling sick to my stomach.
“What is it?” Mom asked.
“I just don’t understand why I have to hide it anymore.”
“Your medical history? The fact that you nearly succumbed to cancer?” Dad asked. “Is that Lark character putting pressure on you?”
“Of course not. But I see how free he is to share himself whenever he wants.”
“He’s a scholarship kid. He has nothing to lose.”
“Sure he does.” I clenched my jaw. “He works his ass off to keep that scholarship. Not everyone was born as lucky as us.”
He pointed his fork at me. “I worked hard for my wealth. Don’t you forget that.”
“And you didn’t have any help from your parents?”
The pulse pounded at his throat. “What does that have to do with this?”
“My point is that not everyone gets a leg up. You sit on charities, even one for childhood cancer, but you can’t admit that your son had it. That’s messed up.”
“Of course we admit it,” Mom said. “It was a scary time for us too. Your father only means in public.”
“I told you my reasons. I’m only trying to save you heartache. When I was a child—”
“But I’m not you!”
“No, you’re not, but people might pass judgment instead of trying to understand—”
“Like you do with Lark and his family?” I countered.
“Watch your tone,” Dad said.
Mom patted my hand. “It’s just not something we need to talk about.”
“But maybe I do.”
Dad scoffed. “That kid is getting inside your head.”
“You don’t get it. It’s nice to be able to relate to someone, to talk about what we went through back then.”
“It was a couple of years of your life, and now you’re better,” Dad said as if the threat was gone. “The connections you should be making are with those who can help you later in life.”
“For favors you mean.”
He shrugged.
“Cancer had a lasting effect on my life. I see the world differently because of it.”
