Jack grunted when he looked at the display on his phone.

     “Dahlia,” he practically growled when he answered.

     “Hi Jack,” Dahlia said with a weary sigh.

     “She wants another chance, doesn’t she?” Jack asked. “Of course she does,” he answered his own question, not giving Dahlia a chance to speak. “How many chances does she expect to get? How many times am I expected to put Riley through this?”

     “It’s not that simple, Jack,” Dahlia said.

     “It never is with her,” he growled.

     “Look, Jack, she had reasons for not showing up last time—”

     “Excuses,” Jack snapped. “Kara always has excuses.”

     “Okay, granted. In the past, she has been flakey,...