Chapter３２

Carl paused before speaking. "Can I ask you a question?"

No one ever said that until something significant was about to come out, and I tried not to hold my breath. "Go for it."

"I've never heard you speak about your father."

I blinked slowly. "Probably because there's nothing to say." "I never met him."

"Is he still alive?"

I shrugged. “Maybe.”

Carl seemed to have just realized he was standing barefoot in a field of shattered glass and wasn't sure what to do next. All of his alternatives were going to be unpleasant. "I'm sorry I brought it up. I didn't intend to make you feel uncomfortable. It's simply that we've known one other for a long and I've always wondered."

"My father left town as soon as he found out my mom was pregnant, and she hasn't heard from him since." My body cooled down, mirroring my voice. "He didn't give us a second thought, so I try to repay the favor whenever possible."