Chapter 4

“Good night, Rebecca, Thaddeus.”

“Good night, Mr. Tom.”

“Close the door please, son?”

“Yes, Daddy.” But Tad didn’t close the door the whole way. He left it open enough so he was able to overhear the conversation.

“Jack… She didn’t expect to kiss me good night, did she? I didn’t make her feel bad, did I? Jesus, I’m so bad with kids….”

That surprised Tad. Didn’t adults always know what to do?

“It’s all right. I’ll explain it to her, and you can let her kiss you good morning.”

“Good morning?”

“I want you to stay the night.”

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea, Jack.” Mr. Tom sounded uneasy, and Tad wondered if it was because he liked Daddy better without him and his sister hanging around.

“Oh yes, buddy. You promised to stick around for better or for worse. You’re not weaseling out of the worse part now.”

Tad caught his breath, a burning in the back of his throat, and he blinked to keep tears from falling.

“I know you don’t mean about your kids staying here.”