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His mouth twistedcynically. "That's an understatement. Silas Hamilton accused meof killing his wife. His words."
Rosalyn and theaudience made sounds of sympathy before she moved to her nextquestion. "And because of that, he abused you, and that went onfor years."
"He did. Bothphysically and verbally. I was made to feel his pain. He’dstarted drinking when I was five years old and lost his job two yearslater. I was made to pay the price."
"I’msurprised that the authorities weren’t involved."
"He warned methat if I told the authorities, I’d be taken away and put in ahome where I would be sexually used and abused. Telling a child thatthe horror outside would be worse than what was going on at home wasbound to make an impression and it did."
"The abuse wenton for years. Surely, the teachers at school must have noticedsomething about you that was not right."
"I’dlearned to pretend that it wasn’t happening. And over theyears, I also learned to stay out of his way. I’d find placesto hide in the neighborhood and stay there until I was sure he wasasleep."
"You werebasically left on your own."
"I was, yes."
"You ran awaywhen you were fifteen."
"I did. Ifigured I was old enough to strike out on my own withoutconsequences."
"You pretendedto be sixteen in order to get a job?"
A smile crossed hislips. "My first job was at a garage and I’m sure the ownerknew I was lying. I think he took pity on me and decided to hire me."
"You knewnothing about working on cars."
"No, but I was afast learner. I started out sweeping up and picking up trash aroundthe area."
"The ownercaught you sleeping in one of the abandoned cars and offered it toyou at cost."
He nodded. "Itbecame my home for a couple of years."
"Your Dad madeno effort to try and find you?”
“I think he wasrelieved that I’d left. So, no."
"You bought hima house."
"I did."
"I’m goingto ask the question that's on everyone's mind. Why?"
Nash laughed softly."I’ve been asking myself that same question. He’s myflesh and blood and he was living in squalor. I suppose my consciencewouldn’t allow me to see him suffer like that."
"How’s therelationship now?"
Allison saw when hehesitated and wondered if he was going to respond.
"Tenuous atbest. We talk, but it’s difficult for me to forgive whathappened to me or to forget."
"That’sunderstandable. You beat the incredible odds and fought your way tobecome one of the richest men in the world. How does that feel?"
"Amazing."He told her with a laugh that lit up his entire face. "And verycomfortable."
"What advice doyou want to give to men out there who are fathers?"
"I’m notsure I’m qualified to give advice because I do not have thathonor yet."
