Chapter 7

Another child was introduced to us, this one younger and fairer, then a few other women I was told were friends and cousins, and soon my head was spinning. I couldn’t remember anyone’s name.

My sister was surrounded. I looked around at Dayton’s home and tried to get my bearings. His house was very cozy. There was sports memorabilia everywhere. Trophies overloaded bookshelves.

“Oh, Allan, this is Dali.” Dayton touched my arm and I turned around to find him standing next to a young guy dressed in a flashy baby-blue shirt.

“Well, hello,” the guy said, his eyes moving all over me. Gael Garcia? No, I didn’t think so. Not my type.

Not my type at all.

I held my hand out to him. “Nice to meet you,” I said, trying to be nice.

As Dayton and Dali struck up a conversation, I looked around, losing track of what they were saying. I felt a little out of place here. But Elsie and Dayton had insisted I come.

“So, you’re a legal clerk,” Dali said, eying me over. “What does that mean exactly?”